Hopkins v. Kovalev in Atlantic City if Kovalev Wins this Weekend

[Tam Seddon]

the papa will send the young boy back to old school!!!!!!!!!

[Spicoli]

I think I've picked against Hopkins exactly 1 time since he obliterated Dennis Milton a lifetime ago. This will be number 2. Been thinking it for eight or so months, Kovalev has the ring savvy and complete unshakable arsenal to knock Hopkins out.

Nothing but respect and tip of the hat to Hopkins who is facing challenges kids half his age shy away from. First things first, and very savvy timing on announcement ....Kovalev must focus on this cagey Aussie tomorrow night. Nothing else.

[Gandalf]

Splendid stuff. Sometimes it's easy to criticise Hopkins, but you cannot criticise that. Good on you, BHop.

[powerpuncher]

So awesome if this fight happens. I don't see bhop winning this. I actually think that he pulls a fake injury because he knows he will get knocked out.

[Silkeyjoe]

I think Kov stops him. Kov is a different animal to the the guys Hops been fighting the last 4 years or so. Hop will go into survival mode early.

[Violent Demise]

I think Kov stops him. Kov is a different animal to the the guys Hops been fighting the last 4 years or so. Hop will go into survival mode early.

They were saying the exact same shit going into the Kelly Pavlik fight

[IamInuit]

This is not 2008 and Kovalev is not Kelly Pavlik.

[Kirkland Laing]

Hopkins has a set of brass balls on him for taking this fight. I can't wait for this one. After the Pavlik fight I said I'd never pick against Hopkins again but this one is going to be tough for him. Kovalev is a big strong lad and mobile. Hopkins is going to struggle to do what he normally does but he obviously thinks he can do it. Wonder how Stevenson is felling right now.

Also. I'm loyal to Showtime, Richard Schaefer and Al Haymon.

[Silkeyjoe]

I think Kov stops him. Kov is a different animal to the the guys Hops been fighting the last 4 years or so. Hop will go into survival mode early.

They were saying the exact same shit going into the Kelly Pavlik fight

Were they? Pavlik was a middleweight fighting at 170. Kov is a light heavyweight. As Ive mentioned on another thread its rare that a puncher at 160 has been a puncher at 168 or higher.

[ykdadamaja]

Splendid stuff. Sometimes it's easy to criticise Hopkins, but you cannot criticise that. Good on you, BHop.

... apparently Stevenson's camp caused all of this by wanting to be blocked in with Showtime and Haymon.

Haymon had better watch it before a wave of fighters start to leave his camp, go with Golden Boy and opt to remain away from Showtime.

Mayweather will soon retire... and the Mayweather money will soon run out... be mindful.

[mikeeod]

Kudos to both, but you really have to respect Hop for fighting the top dogs at his age. Foreman wasn't fighting Bowe, Lewis...etc., n hop is taking on top, undefeated, young fighters almost every time out. I look for him to school Kov, get the fight with Stevenson, and dominate that one as well. Guy is an ATG n top 15 all time if he wins those two at his age.

[p4pking]

This is THE fight at 175 for me. It's pretty crazy that Hopkins would take it, no matter how many times we've all said that before. He is 50 and Kovalev is a serious KO puncher. Any other time there has been a matchup like this on paper it has probably been quite pathetic.

I don't buy that Hopkins priced himself out against Stevenson either. I think that goofy piece of shit might just want to defend his title at home, make some money and retire. He would have been a much easier fight for either man imo, the guy is basically a one handed fighter without a great chin and is old himself. He wouldn't have a hope in hell of beating Kovalev or Hopkins, for my money.

[IamInuit]

Hopkins made a strategic error here for the first time in his career imo and I think he will look every much his age verses Kov and had a much better shot at beating Stevenson. Adonis although he punches with both hands is essentially a one handed fighter and his feet are not very good. Take away the straight left and I think he's kinda lost. Hopkins knows southpaws and could easily be considered somewhat of a southpaw specialist. Now according to Stevensons people, Bernard priced himself out of the fight by asking for 75% of the coin. He had to know that wouldn't fly. Now he's got a fight against a guy whose name he would not even speak. Must be the split and the fact he will get home ice. Still since he wants to unify the division I suppose it makes no difference. Take the tougher fight now rather then later.

Trouble is now Stevenson is fighting the "regular" Wba champ in Brahmer and not the real champ in Hopkins and they are calling it a unification fight which is a crock, What happens after this fight is predictable. The Wbc will make Stevenson should he win "super champion" and the title will then become vacant and we are again back at square one. Not only are these extra belts scabs, fee grabs and redundant but they are also convenient escape clauses for promoters, Orgs and fighters.