I wonder about the refereeing in Kovalev-Hopkins. I remember the nationalistic Steve Smoger took Bernard Hopkins side against Karo Murat.
Hopkins is well-respected in America, and there's still a residue of the old "Cold War" mentality going around. People bring up the movie Rocky IV when an American fights a Russian, evoking nationalistic feelings.
Hopkins is a crafty veteran who knows every trick in the book, and when losing a fight will to use any tactic. We've seen him feign low blows and use head butts against Calzaghe, and use a head butt to cut Wright, and pretend to be injured by a foul against Dawson.
I think we should expect more of the same against Kovalev, especially if he gets hurt and feels he may lose.
But will the referee be professional and be fair to Kovalev, or will he do all he can to help the veteran B-Hop?
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