Article on how Kovalev will fight B hop

[mikeeod]

I agree that Kovalev does not have the athleticism to force Hopkins to tire under pressure unless his training habits were abruptly changed like longer runs or training at high altitudes and most of all remaining calm and jabbing from the outside. Hopkins wears you down when he comes in and years ago Roy Jones beat him from outside, a feat he could no longer utilize in the rematch. I am not a B Hop fan but he never deviates from a plan and that's discipline. Kovalev depends on his power too much and sometimes plods his way in and cutting the ring off on B Hop means not rushing him but slipping in withe finesse. Mr. K is going to have a rough time if he rushes toward B hop in a straight line like a slugger with no finesse. B Hop is a clean liver but knows how to fight dirty on the inside and if Kovalev depends on his power he may be disappointed. Cutting off the ring, using his jab generously may surprise B Hop into a mistake from a point where B Hop can'[t manhandle him. I still wouldn't bet the house on the younger opponent.

I agree. I think Kovalev's got to be a bit more cerebral in this fight. Jackson needs to highlight the spots where Kovalev can really make his mark. This is why it always puzzles me when fighters admit they don't watch tapes. Its true there are things a fighter can change but there are a lot of things they cant/ wont either. Watching Hopkins fights you know what he will do. So if jackson makes sure kovalev can read hopkins, Kovalev will know when to maximize his advantage and throw the real heavy leather.

-Hopkins loves to catch guys coming and then go into his shell and invite them in where the leverage is taken off their punches. Kovalev has to the play the distance here, Jousting straights from the outside or play the inside from an angle. and go after the body.

-Hopkins also loves to retreat and draw an opponent in, blitz with combos with nothing on the first 2 punches and draw their attention to defending an area and get them on their heels then try to pop em clean and hard over the top the last shot for effect. Kovalevs gotta nip that in the bud, pivot out and dig to the body instead of going straight back and letting hop line him up.

-Hopkins likes to pretend to brawl and flurry at the end with a few seconds left, to steal the round. Kovalev should be ready and throw short straight and hard up the middle (or uppercuts) . Hopkins just using slapping arm punches because he doesn't want to leave room for his opponents to get the hooks going and be susceptible to wide heavy punches.

- Above all. In keeping with the no rest for the old man theme, Kovalev has to be aware of punch placement. once hopkins starts to wear down he'll be looking for a 5 minute break. Any punch near the belt will give hopkins an excuse to grab his groin and try to get the ref to call it low. Same thing for punches not forward of the ear during the clinches. Any roughhousing on the inside gives hopkins a reason to fall down and fake injury if he feels he's in trouble.

just my 2 cents..

Really good analysis and pretty much how I see it. Really good observations and breakdown.

[Master]

I take my hat off to B Hop for taking on Kovalev.

Although Kovalev does not have a high punch rate his power is crippling and he will have to time it just right to deter Hopkins. I think Kovalev wins an intriguing, physical and durable fight.

[walrus]

I agree that Kovalev does not have the athleticism to force Hopkins to tire under pressure unless his training habits were abruptly changed like longer runs or training at high altitudes and most of all remaining calm and jabbing from the outside. Hopkins wears you down when he comes in and years ago Roy Jones beat him from outside, a feat he could no longer utilize in the rematch. I am not a B Hop fan but he never deviates from a plan and that's discipline. Kovalev depends on his power too much and sometimes plods his way in and cutting the ring off on B Hop means not rushing him but slipping in withe finesse. Mr. K is going to have a rough time if he rushes toward B hop in a straight line like a slugger with no finesse. B Hop is a clean liver but knows how to fight dirty on the inside and if Kovalev depends on his power he may be disappointed. Cutting off the ring, using his jab generously may surprise B Hop into a mistake from a point where B Hop can'[t manhandle him. I still wouldn't bet the house on the younger opponent.

I agree. I think Kovalev's got to be a bit more cerebral in this fight. Jackson needs to highlight the spots where Kovalev can really make his mark. This is why it always puzzles me when fighters admit they don't watch tapes. Its true there are things a fighter can change but there are a lot of things they cant/ wont either. Watching Hopkins fights you know what he will do. So if jackson makes sure kovalev can read hopkins, Kovalev will know when to maximize his advantage and throw the real heavy leather.

-Hopkins loves to catch guys coming and then go into his shell and invite them in where the leverage is taken off their punches. Kovalev has to the play the distance here, Jousting straights from the outside or play the inside from an angle. and go after the body.

-Hopkins also loves to retreat and draw an opponent in, blitz with combos with nothing on the first 2 punches and draw their attention to defending an area and get them on their heels then try to pop em clean and hard over the top the last shot for effect. Kovalevs gotta nip that in the bud, pivot out and dig to the body instead of going straight back and letting hop line him up.

-Hopkins likes to pretend to brawl and flurry at the end with a few seconds left, to steal the round. Kovalev should be ready and throw short straight and hard up the middle (or uppercuts) . Hopkins just using slapping arm punches because he doesn't want to leave room for his opponents to get the hooks going and be susceptible to wide heavy punches.

- Above all. In keeping with the no rest for the old man theme, Kovalev has to be aware of punch placement. once hopkins starts to wear down he'll be looking for a 5 minute break. Any punch near the belt will give hopkins an excuse to grab his groin and try to get the ref to call it low. Same thing for punches not forward of the ear during the clinches. Any roughhousing on the inside gives hopkins a reason to fall down and fake injury if he feels he's in trouble.

just my 2 cents..

Really good analysis and pretty much how I see it. Really good observations and breakdown.

Agreed, this is phenomenal. Excellently written and I'll be damned if it ain't on the money. Makes perfect sense and I would not be surprised to see some of this come about. Hats of to the writer.

[GAME]

Interesting mix of styles. Kov knows he can't stand off he would be hypnotised by the tricks of e old man if he tried to stand off and box him. He's gotta impose the advantages he has hit, make it a rough high paced fight and work up close when Hopkins is spoiling. A lot of guys allow hop to get comfortable up close so he knows all he has to do is initiate clinches and the other guy gives him a rest. Kov can't fall into that trap. Make Hopkins afraid of being close, keep him goin back and cut off the corners