Hopkins vs. Kovalev, Who do you Got?

[Anthony342]

I'd rather ask this here than in NSB. Who do you like in the Hopkins-Kovalev unification fight in November? Does Kovalev become the first fighter to get a stoppage on Bernard Hopkins or does the old veteran use his bag of tricks to pull out another improbable victory? With his hard body shots, I gotta go with Kovalev, but I'm pulling for Hopkins, how about you guys?

[jas]

I'll give my breakdown Anthony but remember when I said ages ago it would happen?

It is a great fight between a great offence and a great defence.

But that could also be each fighter's undoing because they get caught up in that.

kovalev

strengths

- power
- cuts off the ring so he can land his right
- mentally strong
- punches in combination
- confidence must be sky high right now
- current trainer used to train hopkins

weaknesses

- never had to go past 8 rounds, may have stamina issues
- has faced weak opposition
- never throws an uppercut - hopkins ducks a lot to avoid punches
- overreaches, can be caught off balance

hopkins

strengths

- experience
- defence
- accuracy
- dirty tactics
- sniper right hand

weaknesses

- doesnt let hands go enough - gets too caught up in defence
- low work rate

i see hopkins losing the earlier rounds then coming on strong late, knocking kovalev down a couple times to win a decision. i think he then has a farewell fight at the barclays center or fights stevenson then retires

[DondiNeverLeft]

It's hard to bet against Hopkins. If he was in his prime this would be easy. I don't care how " good" we think the Krusher is...but age has to eventually effect Bhop someday.

This may be it. But I'm pulling for BHOP!

[Build That Wall]

Bernard Hopkins wins.

[beez721]

Bernard Hopkins wins.

I think hopkins may win in an ugly fight but at his age you never know. in hops prime hed have easily beaten kovalev

[jackgalveston]

I agree with the general sentiment but the x-factor of age HAS to become realized at some point, doesn't it? Surely were not going to be here ten years from now talking about Bernard beating up on guys from the 2012 Olympics?

Kovalev doesn't move his head enough and he can look...wooden at times. I also think he's going to be a little mesmerized, awe-struck by the moment. I have nothing to substantiate that with, its just a gut feeling. "Jas" description of what goes down seems like a very likely scenario. IMHO.

[beez721]

I agree with the general sentiment but the x-factor of age HAS to become realized at some point, doesn't it? Surely were not going to be here ten years from now talking about Bernard beating up on guys from the 2012 Olympics?

Kovalev doesn't move his head enough and he can look...wooden at times. I also think he's going to be a little mesmerized, awe-struck by the moment. I have nothing to substantiate that with, its just a gut feeling. "Jas" description of what goes down seems like a very likely scenario. IMHO.

I have the same feeling. I think hops experience and savvy is really going to disrupt kovalev's timing and make him look bad

[Sugarj]

Hopkins has defied my predictions for donkey's years! Logic says that Kovalev is too young, too powerful and too dangerous for any 50 year old light heavyweight on the planet.

I'd love to see Hopkins pull off the victory though!

[Sugar Adam Ali]

Hopkins will be too defensive and won't have much work rate, won't take much risk til late in the fight, and lose a decision like he did vs Taylor.. I see kovolev winning nearly all the early rounds as Hopkins won't engage, and then they probably split the later rounds. Kovalev will win a clear decision.. I also think kovolev has a great chance of beating up and stopping Hopkins. It's hard to imagine a 50 yr old actually beating a prime fighter like kovolev..
I will be rooting for Hopkins, but betting on kovolev

[beez721]

Hopkins will be too defensive and won't have much work rate, won't take much risk til late in the fight, and lose a decision like he did vs Taylor.. I see kovolev winning nearly all the early rounds as Hopkins won't engage, and then they probably split the later rounds. Kovalev will win a clear decision.. I also think kovolev has a great chance of beating up and stopping Hopkins. It's hard to imagine a 50 yr old actually beating a prime fighter like kovolev..
I will be rooting for Hopkins, but betting on kovolev

this wouldnt shock me either. I think taylor was alot faster than kovalev tho and that really troubled hopkins. kovalev doesnt look very fast at all to me altho hes powerful. hopkins has always seemed to handle the big punchers well. its the slicker,, quicker guys that have troubled him. like you said,,,,he is pushing 50 tho and could get out worked or maybe even battered if hes slipped enough. im still leaning toward the old man by ugly, close decision but youth may prevail. I still think a young hopkins would have beat kovalev by a descent margin tho