It's only a tentative rumour going around, I'm not sure if GGG intends to go up to 168 just yet, although it's bound to happen sooner or later.
Hopkins would be moving down from 175 and he hasn't been lower than 170 for 10 years when he fought Taylor twice at 160 (can't believe it's been that long since those fights on a side note).
Possibility Hopkins could be severely weight-drained so it's a very risky move. But a rumour is just a rumour.. until it's proven otherwise.
Intriguing match up if it does actually happen.. Hopkins has said several times that he can disarm GGG and beat him so he definitely shown interest in the possibility of fighting him.
Who you got if it turns out to be true?
Can hopkins even tank physical body shots anymore? Being 50 takes a toll on your body even if your an alien.
It's a big risk for Hopkins if he's weight drained. But the one bonus for him is that he probably has at least 6 months to adjust to the weight again, before the fight potentially happens, so if he starts the process now he might not be affected too badly and he could still remain strong and durable at 168.
I don't think Golovkin has a pause button in the ring. He would eventually land the hardest possible shot to the body, maybe followed by another to the head. Even if he already had the fight in the bag. A younger B-Hop would be great to see against Golovkin, but not now.
Hopkins should have retired years ago and would be drained at 168. It would funny if Golovkin fought Hopkins at 168 after refusing to fight Ward there.
Nov 20-13: "Ward doesn’t feel that the soon to be 49-year-old Hopkins wants a fight with him, so he’s not going to push for it on his own out of respect for him."
Last year, B-Hop called GGG out, but I suspect that it was only in order to "cover" GBP's Canelo... Which may be the case again, right now...
Personally I don't see any point in GGG fighting B-Hop under any circumstances.
well that's strange since ward pushed for a fight with periban for years but he couldn't go after someone who was actually good? ward being ward
I don't think this fight will actually happen, but holy crap did people's opinions did a 180. Hopkins was supposed to school Kovalev, a natural LHW 2 years ago. Now all of the sudden people are acting as if it's an easy victory for Golovkin. It's anything but.
If this fight does happen in the summer, I truly hope Golovkin's team will pay respects to the aging legend and not make him come down to 168. Making hopkins drain down 7 pounds at his age is ridiculous.
GGG vs. Hopkins at 175 on July 4th!
edit - probably not. too close to canelo fight (if it does happen) :/
Hopkins is basically in his prime still. yea he lost to kovalev but so does everyone since he's the best fighter on the planet. Hopkins didn't get ko'd so that proves he's in his prime. great fight. if ggg wins he's an all time great and has a resume 10 times better than ward who ducked him.
Nov 20-13: "Ward doesn’t feel that the soon to be 49-year-old Hopkins wants a fight with him, so he’s not going to push for it on his own out of respect for him."
Last year, B-Hop called GGG out, but I suspect that it was only in order to "cover" GBP's Canelo... Which may be the case again, right now...
Personally I don't see any point in GGG fighting B-Hop under any circumstances.
Kovalev technically did, won every round on every scorecard. Almost KO'd Hopkins on the last round lol.
Yeah man that was a mauling no doubt. Kovalev said it best against Pascal: "The people know I only punish bad guys", and I htink he was only doing enough to win the rounds easily vs B-Hop because he didn't want to hurt him.
Only when Bernard stuck his tongue out did Kovalev turn one the gas and try to whip him. Scary how good that guy is.
I think GGG will want to hand Bernard his first KO defeat. And It will come by body shot I think.
Congrats on finishing your ban lad haha
Hopkins is basically in his prime still. yea he lost to kovalev but so does everyone since he's the best fighter on the planet. Hopkins didn't get ko'd so that proves he's in his prime. great fight. if ggg wins he's an all time great and has a resume 10 times better than ward who ducked him.
Kovalev almost killed the man
By 'almost killed the man' you actually mean he scored one flash knockdown, and had him a little wobbly in the last round, apart from winning the rounds easily?
If that was almost killing the man, then there are a lot of near deaths in boxing every weekend.
What does it mean when a fighter takes a KO?
This fight makes no sense for anyone and will never happen.
Makes sense for GGG because having Hopkins on your resume is something which historically would be of some significance. He's a great name to have on anyone's record.
And for Hopkins, he never held a SMW title, he went from MW to LHW and skipped the super middle division. There would have to be a vacant title on the line for this one, or some sort of specially created title that the WBC might devise to add to the growing collection. WBC Extra Super Special World Title Deluxe!
I love Hopkins and he is amazing and almost ageless but not quite. He is just too old. He is still good but he can't beat the best of these Russian bad asses. Kovalev beat the hell out of him and GGG will do likewise. Hopkins should have retired long ago. GGG will show him no mercy.