Bernard Hopkins vs Sergey Kovalev Prefight Prediction & Discussion Thread

Hopkins, Kovalev, Stevenson... I went back and saw each of their last fights and here is what I came up with... Hopkins vs. Shumenov: Hopkins controlled the pace for the entire fight getting the best of most of the exchanges. Even though his punching power was not impressive his boxing was, as it always is. Shumenov tried trading with Hopkins at times but Hopkins was able to duck the majority of his big punches. I found 4 rounds to give to Shumenov but obviously he did not do enough to win. Stevenson vs. Fonfara: Stevenson struggled with Fonfara, especially with Fonfara's left hook. Fonfara was definitely game for the fight but doesn't have close to the punching power needed to knockout Stevenson whose defense was iffy at best. Stevenson kept his jab hand (right hand) way too low through most of the fight which gave him some trouble. Kovalev vs. Caparello: After a flash knockdown in the first round it seems Kovalev was done feeling out his opponent and wanted to move on to bigger and better things. It seems he forgot any strategy he showed up with and just wanted to Krush Caparello, which he was able to do with much ease in the second round. If Kovalev faced Stevenson it would be a very intriguing fight, Stevenson is probably the better boxer but Kovalev is significantly more aggressive. Kovalev has a killer left hook that in my opinion would finish the fight in the early rounds so long as he avoids Stevenson straight left hand. From what I have seen Kovalev can take a better punch than Stevenson but both have only fought questionable opponents and Kovalev has dominated more than Stevenson. Kovalev wins in 4 by KO As for Hopkins vs. Kovalev I see Hopkins dominating the pace in the early rounds of the fight, possibly the first 4 or 5 rounds and then in the middle rounds Sergey will begin to connect and Hopkins will start running which will work for a couple of more rounds. By round 8 Hopkins will be too tired and forced to fight Kovalev and at that point I see Kovalev connecting with combinations to the head and body which we have seen time and time again. Kovalev will get touched by Hopkins throughout but will never have to respect his punching power and will walk through anything Hopkins will be able to throw. Kovalev's toughest and longest test to date. Kovalev wins in 10 by TKO

Anybody know kovalev's ring walk music? He plays it every time he comes to the ring but I can't find the name anywhere. Thanks i think is this one i heard it in this highlight by the way.

Anyone who thinks Hopkins wins is an idiot. Plain and simple. The signs are all there. Murat landing 120 power shots, him not beating anyone good in years, etc. You have all been fooled by Hopkins. Kovalev will destroy him.

Hopkins won't give up but at some stage I think the referee steps in. OR the corner steps in.

i'm surprised that hopkins is leading the poll. is he also the betting favourite?

Now i'm starting to wonder if it'd even come off... I heard that 3 million was offered for the whole card and Hopkin's wanted 2/3 of it... So either Kov gets close to the remainder or the get 1/2 to 1/3 of it and build from there. But both Philly guys, Jennings was just at MSG... could be a decent seat filler Hopkins deserves that sort of cut tbh, but 3 mill for a fight card of this magnitude? doesn't seem enough. I think the undercard will just be filler

Anybody know kovalev's ring walk music? He plays it every time he comes to the ring but I can't find the name anywhere. Thanks

I'm pulling for the old dog, but Kovalev definitely stands a chance.

I predict I'm going to watch the fight live in Brooklyn.... how about we predict the undercard? Calling it now! Jennings vs Cunningham on the undercard! Jennings had a good outing in MSG fan wise, Cunningham had one of NBC's best shows... do it I'll be there as well.

Jennings/Cunningham ain't so bad and should be a good place holder for the winner of Wilder/Stiverne. That last performance from Jennings was impressive, he had to come through some early fire. Now i'm starting to wonder if it'd even come off... I heard that 3 million was offered for the whole card and Hopkin's wanted 2/3 of it... So either Kov gets close to the remainder or the get 1/2 to 1/3 of it and build from there. But both Philly guys, Jennings was just at MSG... could be a decent seat filler

I predict I'm going to watch the fight live in Brooklyn.... how about we predict the undercard? Calling it now! Jennings vs Cunningham on the undercard! Jennings had a good outing in MSG fan wise, Cunningham had one of NBC's best shows... do it Jennings/Cunningham ain't so bad and should be a good place holder for the winner of Wilder/Stiverne. That last performance from Jennings was impressive, he had to come through some early fire.

GGG-Quillin would be perfect for a co main event and would make sense. But obviously it isn't happening It would, but most the money is tapped out... so it might be like Ward/Rodriguez.

I will never count out Hopkins, But I can't see him beating Kovalev. All these Kelly Pavlik comparison are dumb and just plain foolish. Sergei is 2 weight classes above middleweight and he also has a better jab, left hook, and a better body puncher. Plus he's 20 years younger too.

I predict I'm going to watch the fight live in Brooklyn.... how about we predict the undercard? Calling it now! Jennings vs Cunningham on the undercard! Jennings had a good outing in MSG fan wise, Cunningham had one of NBC's best shows... do it GGG-Quillin would be perfect for a co main event and would make sense. But obviously it isn't happening

I will be pulling for Bhop but I expect kovalev to win.

Picking Hopkins by decision. He will stink up the place.

I predict I'm going to watch the fight live in Brooklyn.... how about we predict the undercard? Calling it now! Jennings vs Cunningham on the undercard! Jennings had a good outing in MSG fan wise, Cunningham had one of NBC's best shows... do it

Hopkins won't give up but at some stage I think the referee steps in.

Either Kovalev slaughters Hopkins in depressing fashion or Hopkins pulls off some Rumble in the Jungle type win where he takes the punches early and drowns an exhausted Kovalev late. Can't see it going any other way.

Kovalev with the mid to late round KO. Once Hopkins feels his power, he's going to be in full on survival mode.