Will the referee be fair to Kovalev against Hopkins?

[p4pking]

^^ That's what I was thinking, it's not like Hopkins is Canelo here or something, he's on borrowed time. The old fox is going to give any referee a workout, but I can't remember any terrible reffing in any of his fights aside from Smoger that night. Surely a Kovalev win would bring in more dollars for the networks down the line?

That said, I'm not really clear on the situation with Hopkins siding with Oscar as opposed to Haymon, or what the latters relationship with Kovalevs promoters might be etc. If Vic Drakulich, Smoger, or Laurence Cole get's the job, then I'll start worrying. That woman who reffed Kovalevs last fight was good.

[Spicoli]

We need to worry even more if a ref enters the ring concerned about being fair to one fighter compared to the other or that we're already making them the story. Hopkins is master at winning the 1st round before the bell rings, you can see it sap his opponents within the first few rounds...sometimes on the scale before the cameras... with nervous smiles, subtle hesitations and half hearted lead punching. I doubt very seriously Kovalev will follow suit and play a foil to Hopkins. Before its over I can see him going bully the instant Hopkins tried to tie in and dry up time and look for spin out counter rights. But I also don't think that's Hopkins last resort and hope. If he gets hurt the instinct will come out and his ego and pride won't ignore Kovalevs ample chin before he resorts to bending over and falling to his knees trying to work a ref. Its a very mind boggling blend as Kovalev has never been pressed to cope and deal with the fool package that is Hopkins, and that's just in the psychological mind games. Fighters establish reputations, track records and if anything I think it'll be that of Hopkins that would work against him more than his actual in the moment perceived tactics in the past but not so much now. Hopkins will fight and do so as a champ here, if he goes out it'll be on his war torn shield. Bank it.