Hopkins is the master of neutralizing his opponent's strengths.
Master of analyzing his opponents way in advance, of coming in with the right gameplan, and a backup of his gameplan, and a backup of the backup.

He'll attempt to weather the storm for the 1st half as most of Kovalev's fights end within 4 rds, figuring Kovalev will start to tire after 7 rds.
Early on, Hopkins will grab and hold him, try to rough him up inside with dirty tactics.

Hopkins always starts slow, and gradually increases his pace as the fight wears on, basically the opposite of what happens to most fighters as they slowly tire.

As they grow weaker, he appears to get stronger.

Then after the midway point, Hopkins will step back from holding him and start to box and potshot from long-range.

I think Hopkins stops him on cuts late in the fight, maybe rd 11.
Kovalev's brows will be cut up and bloody, cheekbones swollen and bloody, cuts above the eye, swollen eyes, mostly from Hopkins dirty tactics but also from long-range boxing. When Kovalev retaliates with dirty tactics of his own, you'll see some acting out of Hopkins again.

Never bet against Bernard Hopkins.


Yep...