Hopkins: Stevenson Should Face Kovalev To End Debate

By Victor Salazar

When it comes to light heavyweight supremacy, it comes down to two guys - Adonis Stevenson and Sergey Kovalev. Stevenson is the lineal champion because he beat Chad Dawson, who beat Bernard Hopkins. Stevenson also holds the WBC version of the title. On the other side of the equation lies Sergey Kovalev who holds the IBF, WBA, and WBO versions of the title. Kovalev won the WBA and IBF from Bernard Hopkins last November.

Bernard Hopkins says that it’s on Stevenson to prove he’s a real champion and do what he can to make the Kovalev fight happen.

“Let’s look at their resumes, right now,” Hopkins told BoxingScene.com. “Kovalev unified three titles in the past year. He also fought another top 10 guy his last time out. By public perception, he’s the real champion at 175 lbs. I know Stevenson is considered the champion because of the Dawson lineage but it hasn’t been much since then, so I ask you who the real champion is?”

A purse bid between Main Events (Kovalev’s promoter) and GYM Promotions (Stevenson’s promoter) was supposed to take place this past week but Main Events pulled out and instead offered a 50-50 split with the bout taking place on HBO.

With that being said, Hopkins still feels the onus is on Stevenson to prove he’s the champion.

“Right now he may be the lineal champion but the public is saying that Kovalev is the best right now. I think Stevenson should prove that he’s the best by fighting the best.”