Fight Week: BHop v Kovalev

Intriguing doesn't dot his fight justice. We all know why this fight is extremely interesting to us fans, but who wins and why?

One thing that keeps rattling around my head about Kovalev, and it is the reason I don't think he will be befuddled like so many Hopkins opponents have been of late, is that he is a man with a serious killer instinct. Think of how Eubank was after Watson, reluctant to go for KO finishes. Now think of Kovalev, who has ended a life with his fists (awful for all involved). It is scary how much he seems to love putting people to sleep. Kovalev is really going to try and knock BHop out. Can BHop avoid being stopped and go on to create more history?

Exciting.

If Kovalev goes in with the sole intent of Ko-ing Bernard he could come unstuck. He needs to keep his focus and not let the occasion get to him. No doubt people will be banging on about how he could be the man to end the career of B-Hop and if Kova gets that into his head, Bernard will have a shock for him.

Hopkins split decison but to be dropped and hurt along the way.

Can't look past Kovalev......

I mean he should win.....

but Hopkins can pull a rabbit out a hat.

I think Kov has to go in there with the idea that he keeps working and hitting BHop. Body, arms, to a lesser extent the head. He needs BHop to feel worked. He can't think he is going to spark BHop, but a 49-year- old man does not want to be working for 2 or 3 minutes of any round. Make BHop work.

BHop can hit Kovalev. I don't rate Kovalev in defence. He goes straight back and BHop should be able to catch him.

I don't know if it's the biggest fight of the year, but it's the most intriguing, for me. I actually can't wait for it.

Hopkins can definitely win it, but he might need to fight a virtually flawless fight. On the other hand, Kovalev can afford to lose rounds and make a few mistakes because he has that power to turn things around - and it's immense power. No question in my mind that he's the hardest-hitting guy Bernard has ever fought, and Bernard has been in with plenty of guys who can whack a bit.

Been re-watching quite a bit of Kovalev in the build up to this, and I can see why Hopkins might think there are weaknesses he can take advantage of. Kovalev doesn't look particularly comfortable fighting right in at close quarters (although that's no doubt been exaggerated by the fact that so many guys have tried to fight him going away), he doesn't really give you that many angles and his speed isn't remarkable, either (really top speed has tended to undo Hopkins a bit, like in the Jones, Taylor and Calzaghe defeats).

On the other hand, this isn't Pavlik or Cloud we're talking about. Kovalev does mix up his combinations nicely between head and body, has a decent jab when he decides to use it (which isn't always that often, in fairness), is more accurate than those guys and is less likely to get gung-ho and clumsy, making himself easy prey for Hopkins' counters. Agnew boxed a very cagey fight against him but Kovalev showed he can be patient and disciplined in that fight - and when he eventually did get a chance to close the show, that left hook to the body which broke Agnew's rib and put him down for the count was chilling.

Guys like Cloud and Shumenov have been visibly spooked and disheartened against Hopkins and seemed to mentally check out of their fights against him relatively early. On the other hand, Dawson showed Hopkins zero respect and backed him up, and I was surprised at how much bigger and stronger he looked than Hopkins. Bad Chad's defence was exemplary in that fight to be fair, something I don't think Kovalev can reproduce, but as a one hundred percent, career Light-Heavy he should be able to push Hopkins about a bit, in theory. My worry for Kovalev is that so far he hasn't shown an inside game to match Hopkins' and it might end up with a lot of his offensive work being smothered.

Genuinely can't make up my mind. Sometimes I see Hopkins being made to look 49 all of a sudden and getting blown out, other times I see him staying glued to Kovalev's hip inside, smothering his work and countering him to a decision against all odds. Now and then I get caught between those two trains of thought and see a contentious verdict either way in a fight where Hopkins chances it on the outside, but keeps his chin protected well enough to make it a contest between his more accurate work and Kovalev's more frequent but not as clean industry.

Gun to my head....Kovalev eventually wears him down after being made to look a bit pedestrian for a few rounds - but no outcome, aside from a Hopkins win via stoppage, would surprise me here.

As a side note, I see a lot of fans and commentators are worried that Hopkins might pull some trick to either a) get an unjust win, such as butt Kovalev to see if he can con the referee in to calling a cuts stoppage (Kovalev's eyes have been cut once or twice in his last few fights), or b) get hit with a body shot, go down for the count and then protest that it was a low blow as a way of avoiding giving Kovalev credit, or admitting that he lost. Anything but that kind of guff please, Bernard!

Win or lose I hope Bernard calls it quits. Or if he somehow wins then fight a gimme when he is 50 then retire.

He has nothing else to prove. Far form the most entertaing but a serious ATG with his list of opponents and longevity.

88Chris05 wrote:I don't know if it's the biggest fight of the year, but it's the most intriguing, for me. I actually can't wait for it.

Hopkins can definitely win it, but he might need to fight a virtually flawless fight. On the other hand, Kovalev can afford to lose rounds and make a few mistakes because he has that power to turn things around - and it's immense power. No question in my mind that he's the hardest-hitting guy Bernard has ever fought, and Bernard has been in with plenty of guys who can whack a bit.

Been re-watching quite a bit of Kovalev in the build up to this, and I can see why Hopkins might think there are weaknesses he can take advantage of. Kovalev doesn't look particularly comfortable fighting right in at close quarters (although that's no doubt been exaggerated by the fact that so many guys have tried to fight him going away), he doesn't really give you that many angles and his speed isn't remarkable, either (really top speed has tended to undo Hopkins a bit, like in the Jones, Taylor and Calzaghe defeats).

On the other hand, this isn't Pavlik or Cloud we're talking about. Kovalev does mix up his combinations nicely between head and body, has a decent jab when he decides to use it (which isn't always that often, in fairness), is more accurate than those guys and is less likely to get gung-ho and clumsy, making himself easy prey for Hopkins' counters. Agnew boxed a very cagey fight against him but Kovalev showed he can be patient and disciplined in that fight - and when he eventually did get a chance to close the show, that left hook to the body which broke Agnew's rib and put him down for the count was chilling.

Guys like Cloud and Shumenov have been visibly spooked and disheartened against Hopkins and seemed to mentally check out of their fights against him relatively early. On the other hand, Dawson showed Hopkins zero respect and backed him up, and I was surprised at how much bigger and stronger he looked than Hopkins. Bad Chad's defence was exemplary in that fight to be fair, something I don't think Kovalev can reproduce, but as a one hundred percent, career Light-Heavy he should be able to push Hopkins about a bit, in theory. My worry for Kovalev is that so far he hasn't shown an inside game to match Hopkins' and it might  end up with a lot of his offensive work being smothered.

Genuinely can't make up my mind. Sometimes I see Hopkins being made to look 49 all of a sudden and getting blown out, other times I see him staying glued to Kovalev's hip inside, smothering his work and countering him to a decision against all odds. Now and then I get caught between those two trains of thought and see a contentious verdict either way in a fight where Hopkins chances it on the outside, but keeps his chin protected well enough to make it a contest between his more accurate work and Kovalev's more frequent but not as clean industry.

Gun to my head....Kovalev eventually wears him down after being made to look a bit pedestrian for a few rounds - but no outcome, aside from a Hopkins win via stoppage, would surprise me here.

As a side note, I see a lot of fans and commentators are worried that Hopkins might pull some trick to either a) get an unjust win, such as butt Kovalev to see if he can con the referee in to calling a cuts stoppage (Kovalev's eyes have been cut once or twice in his last few fights), or b) get hit with a body shot, go down for the count and then protest that it was a low blow as a way of avoiding giving Kovalev credit, or admitting that he lost. Anything but that kind of guff please, Bernard!

I have many of the same concerns as you, Chris. Kov is great at mid range, where his power one-two punches are devastating. He needs to ensure he makes Hopkins suffer for coming in close, where Hop can do some work. Bhop cant be allowed to shuffle in and make it dirty. Hopkins should also be too slow to lunge in with single blows and use his noggin like he did with varied success against Dawson.

I am hoping that Hopkins new stance as the Dad of all Boxing will stop him from any foolishness if things are going against him. Only way I see that is if he is on his way to being stopped and doesn't want that on his record.

If Kovo doesn't win I'll never forgive him....

Think it's sad there are those that want Boxing's biggest joke to win and carry on at his age..

He's bad for the sport.........

Does anybody else think BHop is sounding a bit punchy?

I don't think Kova is too bothered about your feelings Truss.

kingraf wrote:I don't think Kova is too bothered about your feelings Truss.

You don't think ??

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:If Kovo doesn't win I'll never forgive him....

Think it's sad there are those that want Boxing's biggest joke to win and carry on at his age..

He's bad for the sport.........

Aye, there's no accounting for those who like Tyson Fury

Seanusarrilius wrote:Does anybody else think BHop is sounding a bit punchy?

That very question gets asked of every single Philadelphia fighter throughout history, he sounds exactly the same as he did 20 years ago to me.

Hopkins certainly isn't boxings biggest joke. He's an accomplished fighter who keeps winning against decent opposition.

Kovalev knocks him out though.

Kovalev to knock Hopkins wrinkly old ass out after Hopkins tries to stink the house out

I'm not sure if he sounds punchy or not, but he did seem rather opaque in recent interviews I've seen of him.

So same as usual then.

Kovalev shouldn't even be fighting this man as he is a has-been

If Hoppo was Welsh I'd encourage him to fight till he was 60.....

An early grave would be a blessing....

I've given up betting against Hopkins. If kovalev can catch him clean he'll win. But floyd seems an easier target these days. Hopkins UD, with no conviction, happy just to watch.

Calling Hopkins a joke is just plain stupid.

Rooting for Hopkins, love an individual who tries to do it their own way, love an underdog, and at 49 to run towards the scariest guy in the division... Man he's a warrior.

No option for Hopkins to dive out if the ring/feign a shoulder injury/feign a low blow if the fight goes against him?

Definitely my second most anticipated bout of the year after Froch Goves 2. One factor not discussed that I think will be the decisive factor here is their respective opposition levels. Cleverly is arguably the best name on Kovalev's ledger. While most of his victories have come in devastating fashion, he hasn't fought remotely at the level Hopkins has operated on for well over 20 years. Kovalev hasnt fought anyone near as skilled and cunning as Hopkins. I believe BHop has the strategy worked out, if his 49 year old body has the strength and stamina to carry it out very stringently, which will be needed, then he will win.

Prediction: Hopkins to nullify Kovalev in his usual manner and hopefully immediate retirement as an ATG.

I don't believe Hopkins would have taken the fight if he didn't think he had the tools to nullify crusher. Thinking it and actioning it are two different things though.

I'm fascinated by this fight, in terms of having no confidence in how it will pan out. Like Alex for all the frustrations that come with Hopkins, you have to marvel at the man if he can pull it off. .. at the same time, if he does, he will almost certainly have stunk the place out to do it.

If kovalev knocks him out, it'll look like a sad old man being mugged.

Like I said I'm intrigued, but don't expect to actually enjoy watching it!

I've won some cash betting on an underdog Hopkins over the last 10 years...Highlights include his victories over Pavlik and Pascal especially...

Hopkins on points, I'm in no doubt; the man is a genius

3 points off and then slung out after 7 for holding ...If I was refereeing this fight..

Not a fan of Hopkins Trussy? Granted his style is hard to watch especially as he has got older but he is creating history with each and every fight.

I cannot see past Kovalev in this fight. If Bernard's not caught early, it gets stopped by the Dr or it's a corner retirement somewhere around 9-10 rounds.

If Popkins wins an SD I think it'll be viewed as a fix.

At the presser

Richardson: 'This kid (Kovalev) is a killer'
Hopkins: (butting in) 'Literally!'
Richardson: 'Stop.'

Referring to when Kovalev killed someone in the ring.

The more I think about this one the more I see a Hopkins win.

I think it will play out like the early rounds of the Calzaghe fight but Kovalev wont have the ring smarts to adjust. Hopkins will stay away for large periods then lunge in with a lead right/headbutt combo and then hold/spoil/foul on the inside. Calzaghe started timing Hopkins better after 4 rounds of that fight by stepping back and creating a bit of space after a Hopkins right hand so he could work himself without getting tied up as easily, it wasn't pretty but it was just about enough. Personally I can't see what Kovalev is bringing to the table that Hopkins hasn't seen before a hundred times apart from pretty massive power which is no good if he can't land. Also there is a big question mark about how well that power will last into the later rounds, 6 rounds of being hugged and butted by Hopkins probably takes it out of you. I can't see the logic in people picking a guy who has only been past 4 rounds a handful of times wearing down Hopkins late who has been 12 rounds countless times.

Hopkins may get caught early but if he's still there in round 6 I think he wins with something to spare.

I would love to see a Hopkins win, one of my favourite fighters. Not partically because of his style but his dedication to the sport (in which only Floyd runs him close) and taking fights where he is classed as the underdog and prevailing (something Floyd doesnt do).

If he pulls this off, he's got to be up there with the ATGs.

But my prediction is Kovalev TKO

Soldier_Of_Fortune wrote:At the presser

Richardson: 'This kid (Kovalev) is a killer'
Hopkins: (butting in) 'Literally!'
Richardson: 'Stop.'

Referring to when Kovalev killed someone in the ring.

Naz is ALL class. BHop occasionally reminds me of why I once hated him

Another reason to think BHop will win, he said will never lose to a white boy surely that can't happen twice

Seanusarrilius wrote:

Soldier_Of_Fortune wrote:At the presser

Richardson: 'This kid (Kovalev) is a killer'
Hopkins: (butting in) 'Literally!'
Richardson: 'Stop.'

Referring to when Kovalev killed someone in the ring.

Naz is ALL class. BHop occasionally reminds me of why I once hated him

Surely that falls under the banner of "mind games" doesn't it (however much in poor taste it is). However, I'd stop short of suggesting Naz is all class as I do recall him saying to Shane Mosley during the Margarito fight "We gonna slap the grease off this guy" ("greasers" being a derogatory term for Mexicans)

DAVE667 wrote:

Seanusarrilius wrote:

Soldier_Of_Fortune wrote:At the presser

Richardson: 'This kid (Kovalev) is a killer'
Hopkins: (butting in) 'Literally!'
Richardson: 'Stop.'

Referring to when Kovalev killed someone in the ring.

Naz is ALL class. BHop occasionally reminds me of why I once hated him

Surely that falls under the banner of "mind games" doesn't it (however much in poor taste it is). However, I'd stop short of suggesting Naz is all class as I do recall him saying to Shane Mosley during the Margarito fight "We gonna slap the grease off this guy" ("greasers" being a derogatory term for Mexicans)

I remember that, but Marg clearly deserved it (the beating.....not the rascist remark).

Soldier_Of_Fortune wrote:At the presser

Richardson: 'This kid (Kovalev) is a killer'
Hopkins: (butting in) 'Literally!'
Richardson: 'Stop.'

Referring to when Kovalev killed someone in the ring.

Richardson sorta walked himself into that one...

Kovalev has nothing other than power. He's a very orthodox, very direct, fighter. He only has one plan - walk through people to bash them up. However he's never shared the ring with a world class operator. If kovalevs steamroller approach fails he'll made to look very ordinary, and short on ideas. Really interesting fight, can't wait.

Think that's maybe a little harsh I known he's got aton of power and has to this point just ran through his oppostion to date but he defiantely has some skill to go with thepower. Good footwork, nice feints, good jab he has yet to be shown he can be outboxed and while he hasn't been in the ring with anyone of Bhops talent he has some good names on his record and is obviously a talent

Think Hoppo could nick it but honestly can't see him being worn down. Yea he may not get hit flush often but shots to the arm, body etc at his age and kovalevs thudding power I can't see him not slowing down tbh

Kovalev late KO

Hopkins is looking to fight GGG if he wins tonight. GGGs trainer Sanchez says they would be happy to fight at 169-170 or even 175 if needs be. Oscar has confirmed that He will be trying his hardest to get this fight for Bhop.

Risky move for GGG going up in weight. Personally I think he would be better waiting to fight the cotto-canelo winner before any venture up the classes.

Gone against the grain and gone Kovalev on points. Think if he can not get frustrated and accept looking messy he should out work Hopkins. Think Bernard knows too much to get stopped but will spoil and fidget too much to win rounds.

You may be right rowley. I cant call this fight. My head says kovalev will be too much. My heart says bhop knows too much but probably too old to apply it at this stage. I hope not. I really want a bhop win.

I dont think kovalevs feints are particularly fantastic, although every one of them seems to work.

I know that sounds wierd.  

The way I see it; all he has to is make ANY kind of move, which looks as though he is going to throw, and his opponent will react. If you punch that hard any half hearted feint will get the required response.

The thing that leans me towards Kovalev is that the idea of a one sided fight seems far fetched, and in a close fight both fighters will, most likely, land shots. B-Hop landing his best shots won't change the course of the fight in a moment, Kovalev landing shots will. I feel in a close fight the much younger guy with the leveling power has the edge.

Fat Dan has the weights from this afternoon - Hopkins 179.5, Kovalev 185. No real surprises there. Dan himself weighed in at 434, by the way!

Sturm Steiglitz a good little fight. Just about coming to the halfway point. What a fight tonight though.

i think bernard will edge this  but should be a good (if any bernard hopkins fight these days could ever be called that) fight  intriguing to say the least, any ideas what time this will start and what channel?
i know to lazy to lookmyself  but wanted to interact with u numbnuts easier for me (thats if you reply if not il go look )

Boxnation and build up has started..

Looking forward to this one, been away for a while so hopefully few people are staying up and can have a good old natter. See Glenn McCrory has covered all his bases while contradicting himself on his skysports preview....declaring that

''I will say right away that if Bernard Hopkins beats Sergey Kovalev it will not be a huge upset.''

then going on to say... ''I can actually not only see him lose, but can see him getting a battering, a bit like when Muhammad Ali was painfully beaten by his former sparring partner Larry Holmes.''

Hmm so not much of an upset but you think he is going to get battered. Not sure how that works then.

Been going back and forth on this one for quite some time; as fight draws near though I can see Hopkins doing the unthinkable yet again. Kov hasn't looked intimated or in awe at any stage during the build up...but think once he is in there and up close he may realise just how experienced and wily B-Hop is. Think it will be a controversial decision but one which will go Hopkins way.

Hopkins by points.

Experience will carry the day.

Kovalev is somehow less intimidating when watching MTV...

Kovalev late ko/tko for me, hope Hopkins doesn't just spoil all night