It's not the same as predicting though is it.
What you want and what you think will happen are separate. If you say 'I think Pulev KO1' then people will think you think that and will probably disagree with you. If you say 'I hope it's Pulev KO1' then many would agree.

Who has ever said you can't root for who you want?? I wanted Hatton to smash Mayweather but never ever though it would happen. So I wasn't saying 'I think Hatton will smash Mayweather' but I'm sure I might have said I hoped he did.