Sergey Kovalev admits he will learn plenty from Bernard Hopkins when they clash this weekend - before he goes on to beat the veteran.

The two clash in Atlantic City on Saturday night with Hopkins - just two months shy of his 50th birthday - defending his IBF and WBA world light-heavyweight titles against the current WBO champion in an eagerly-awaited unification match.

Russian-born Kovalev, 31, has stopped 23 of his 26 opponents so far in the paid ranks and believes he can be the man to finally end the extraordinary reign of Hopkins.

"I want to get some lessons from the professor of boxing. He is an old school boxer. I want to get some experience from this fight that can make me better for another fight. I am not going to finish my career after this one. There will be other fighters that will also be tough and very talented and very hard like a punch machine. I should be ready for everyone in the ring and in life too.

"I am trying to be disciplined because this is boxing. This is very intense and dangerous sport.  I started boxing because I need to get money. I box with the hope that somebody will sign me for three years. This is all a result of my patience."

Kovalev is wary of the threat Hopkins (55-6-2 32KOs) poses and insists he is prepared for anything the veteran may bring to the ring - legal or otherwise. He says that fighting in America helping him fulfil dreams he would have been unable to had he stayed in his native Russia.

He has a powerful determination to be successful so believes defeat on Saturday night is not an option.

"I have been working hard here in the gym. I will give to my fans a great show. Working hard because it is my job. If my opponent work harder, he will get victory and I don't want that," he said.

"This is pushing me to work hard in the gym. My dreams come true in America. My first time in America I got a new car from dealer, but I never have a new car in Russia; not even a Russian car.

"But Russian cars are cheap. I didn't get money from the bank like credit because I didn't have the opportunity. When I came to America I got new Jetta from VW and I was very excited. I can't believe, wow I had a new car. I was happy.

"Now I am fighting against Hopkins and I have more of my dreams here in my mind. If they come true, you will see what is my next dream."