IBF orders Beterbiev vs Hopkins in 175 elimnator

Abraham has a belt at 168 and Hopkins was saying he was interested at winning a title at 168 since he skipped that division. So the incentive here would be for Hopkins to win a title in his third weight class. Of course this depends on whether or not Hopkins was serious about making 168. The way he was talking it sounded like it wouldn't be a problem and I don't doubt him for a second. F*ck dat. I don't want to see an anorexic dead-at-the-weight 50 year old Hopkins. I could just imagine what he'd look like - 50 Cent in Things Fall Apart. Rather see Hop school Beter like he did with Pavlik

Fuk Off IBF! What are the purposely trying to fuk up Kovalev vs Beterbiev? Just So Random Evidently talks are nowhere near the same level...

Hopkins has a better chance vs Beterbiev (very good but standard pressure fighter) than he did against Kovalev (awkward nightmare who can ko you off his back foot) but still a loss IMO Hopkins vs Abraham sounded more even and a good way for the two to wind down their careers

Bernard Hopkins doesn't need to fight again. He has nothing left to prove. He is one of the true ATG's His like will never be seen again. I think & HOPE Bernard does not take this fight its a no win situation for him. Replace Roy Jones with Bernard let him do colour commentary GreenK for this

Bernard Hopkins doesn't need to fight again. He has nothing left to prove. He is one of the true ATG's His like will never be seen again. I think & HOPE Bernard does not take this fight its a no win situation for him. Replace Roy Jones with Bernard let him do colour commentary

There isn't a fight Hopkins would take that would surprise me. He'll fight anyone.

Fuk Off IBF! What are the purposely trying to fuk up Kovalev vs Beterbiev? Just So Random

If Hopkins takes this fight... if might be the career ender for him. Beterbiev's inside game is devastating... He has so much power, I honestly think Beterbiev will KO hopkins

Hopkins is too old to be fighting beasts like kovalev and beterbiev. Sure he can beat contenders but guys like biev and kovalev who are well schooled and strong are too much. Biev would batter him.

IBF only wanted to say that Kovalev doesn't have to take Beterbiev right now.

He won't take this fight

I was thinking about this yesterday. I thought it was going to be the WBA ordering for Beterbiev vs. Fonfara. Which made sense to me, since they said Artur was going to have two more fights this year with the last one being for a title. They don't want Artur vs Adonis, so he'll would have to force Sergey or Brahmer. But didn't the IBF just mandate Mohammedi? That's why I thought it was going to be the WBA and they even talked about having Artur face Fonfara in his next fight. So might as well be an eliminator. Either way I want Artur to face good opposition for his last two fights.

Hopkins already said he would fight south, if he fights again.

Shouldn't he though? After Kovalev & Stevenson, there is Jean Pascal who Hopkins already beat, and a bunch of OK fighters and good up & comers who haven't really proved anything yet. Makes sense Hopkins would still be ranked high. I guess it's because he's been teasing retirement and hasn't really given a sign of coming back... but for the IBF yea I guess it makes sense... prior champs usually maintain high rankings after losing and typically get eliminators/mandos shortly after...K9 and somebody else

Nothing to gain. Hopkins-Abraham.

I don't know why IBH felt the need to issue such a ruling... My secret wish is to watch Beterbiev fighting Ward and see what Ward will achieve with his famous grappling. Cuz they're the next highest up after the IBF mando for 175 was satisfied.... The real question is why is B-Hop so high after losing last year and not fighting since...

The question is: Who can withstand his onslaught long enough to take him into deep water? A 50 year old? I don't know why IBH felt the need to issue such a ruling... My secret wish is to watch Beterbiev fighting Ward and see what Ward will achieve with his famous grappling.

Beterbiev overrated Kova KO'S him early And hopkins has a chance to beat him Hopkins has 0 chance he's done

The main problem with Beterbiev is that he didn't gather enough ring time so far. He needs more rounds against some tougher opponents and to carry someone into the championship rounds and test his own endurance... He only holds 26 rounds in 9 pro fights -- less than 3 rounds per fight. The question is: Who can withstand his onslaught long enough to take him into deep water? A 50 year old?

Beterbiev has absolutely no regard for punches coming at him, other than to throw something much harder back.