Comments Thread For: Bernard Hopkins: Adonis Stevenson is The Guy To Beat

[takingaim]

Stevenson has power but also speed, a good defence and all around good boxing IQ.

If you take away's Kovalev's power, he's got nothing.

Kovalev is a far better boxer than Stevenson. You hate Kovalev. That's clear.

[King_]

Nope.
That's Kovalev and his part been ones who did it.
U apparently have no clue u've been talking about.

You're delusional. Apparently U have no clue what you're talking about...

So while Hopkins is in, if that is the direction Kovalev pursues, it gets a little complicated because HBO won’t do business with Golden Boy, his promoter. Though Showtime was ready to televise Hopkins against then-mandatory Karo Murat on July 13 -- before Murat dropped out because of an inability to get a visa -- the network, from what Hopkins said, is not interested in putting him on against Kovalev.

Go figure, because Hopkins-Kovalev is a much, much more interesting fight than Hopkins-Murat ever was.

“[Kovalev] is a good puncher and some people are excited about him,” Hopkins said. “He’s a better quality name than Karo Murat is.”

The reason for Showtime’s possible reluctance to put on Hopkins-Kovalev is because it is not heavily invested in the division and doesn’t have any future rights on Kovalev, so it wouldn’t want to build him up only to see him beat Hopkins and then go to HBO, which is doing a ton of business at light heavyweight and super middleweight.

So while Hopkins waits to see what will happen, he made a suggestion -- that Kovalev go fight Cleverly, and he would be happy to face new champ Adonis Stevenson, who drilled Chad Dawson in the first round June 8 to win the lineal title Hopkins used to hold (as well as an alphabet belt Hopkins used to own before losing to Dawson). Stevenson said he was interested in fighting Hopkins after beating Dawson.

“For me, it’s a no-brainer,” the 48-year-old Hopkins said. “Kovalev can go get Cleverly, I can probably get Adonis and we go head-to-head and give the fans the old light heavyweight battles they had in the late '70 and '80s, and then the winners can fight. It doesn’t seem complicated. OK, maybe I’m being a little sarcastic.”

ShowTime and GoldenBoy were both on record saying they reject the fight because "Kovalev is not well known enoug in the United States" and I didn't even include that. I don't know what to tell you, but go ahead and live in your little fantasy world

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/b...99&src=desktop

[davidw9785]

Stevenson has power but also speed, a good defence and all around good boxing IQ.

If you take away's Kovalev's power, he's got nothing.

Sorry bro, you couldn't be more wrong. Kovalev has the solid fundamentals that come with a long amateur career. His footwork and head movement are excellent. He sets up his power with his feet. He throws 4, 5, 6 punch combinations. He's very fluid and fundamentally sound.

Adonis... not so much. He's good, but he boxes like a guy that took it up in his twenties. You can tell he has to think a lot harder than Kovalev. Thinking too hard is not something you want to do against B-Hop.

I bet Kovalev has fought plenty of tricky hugger-muggers in the amateurs. He won't get flustered and succumb to B-Hop's sorcery. Adonis on the other hand might crumble.

(I would still bet on Adonis against B-Hop, but I like Kovalev's chances much better).

[koolbreez12]

B hop gets koed by both these guy just way too much power and he knows it b hops next fight says it all 14-1......really and ive never heard of the guy!!!!!!!!!
Love b hop but he aint fightin nobody an if he does he looses!

And Kovalev haa fought who? Bhop wouldn't beaten the sane bums he Kov boasts about in his resume. Cleverly was the only big name, and he's soft af.

[NEETzsche]

anyone who thinks kovalev is a simple slugger has either never seen him fight or just has no idea how to assess a fight. his offence is so dynamic it's almost pacquiao-esque.

[Mr. Philadel]

anyone who thinks kovalev is a simple slugger has either never seen him fight or just has no idea how to assess a fight. his offence is so dynamic it's almost pacquiao-esque.

Anyone who thinks BHop is simple fighter who relies on dirty tactics is either young or dumb....maybe both!!

It's amazing how we watch the same fights but see them differently....the BHop blueprint was put on display in the 90's....from then to know, he doesn't look good against a certain style.....overcoming fighters with basic fundamentals, power, and awkwardness is what made Hop who he is today....speed and athleticism has troubled him since day one....Hop can neutralize anything Frankenstein brings....Hop would UD both dudes but Superman is the tougher fight for the alien because of his speed, athleticism and southpaw stance....but Frankenstein would beat Superman imo....it's the styles make fights rule

[Wenpire]

Hopkins ducking Kovalev like the plague cauz he knows Kovalev would knock him the Fk out. Hopkins knows that he might be able to beat Stevenson by smothering him and neutralizing that left hand. But that won't work on Kovalev because Kovalev is 2 handed unlike Stevenson, throws a lot of volume even at short range, and hits harder.

Hopkins has a chance against Stevenson but he has zero chance of surviving Kovalev. Being the old fox that he is, Hopkins of course knows this and will choose Stevenson.

[shisham]

B Hop would school them all! especially the Russian who is tailor made for Bernard. He's aggressive but is open for counters all day long

[GoldenGloveLove]

I might be nuts but I wouldn't even write him off in doing it again.

[umop-ap!sdn]

...Hopkins' methods won't work against Kovalev. Sergey's mind is too strong. Sergey will punch hard and often and simply break the old pro down.

Sluuuuuuuurp.

Kovalev is a far better boxer than Stevenson. You hate Kovalev. That's clear.

Rrrrright....

And what is Stevenson? A human Sodapopinski or a Bald Bull? SMH. I hate when amateur hour starts... Whoever thinks Kovalev has a better chance "Stylistically" than Stevenson at beating Hopkins in a "boxing match" does not study the sport. Kovalev plays much more into Hopkins hands than Adonis does mainly because of the "athletecism" factor. Stevenson is and can be more ELLUSIVE than Kovalev. Stevenson has a far better chance to try to outbox and outwork hopkins, like Bad Chad did because Stevenson has more "athletic" tools at his disposal. It takes speed, mobility, movement and youthful energy to take out B-Hop at this stage.

I actually feel that Kovalev's agressive style will play more into Hopkins smothering capabilities that assist him in nullifying what one does well. However IF you can keep B-Hop off you and box effectively, especially if you have the LEGS headmovement and footwork to make him have to earn his way in, you have a chance. Are y'all telling me that Kovalev has a better chance of doing this in a competetive boxing match and maybe chess match against B-Hop than Stevenson does? Somebody please chime in, i'd love to hear this reasoning.

BTW, ANYONE calling for Kovalev by KO is an absolute moron. B-Hop hasn't been stopped, not because he ducks fighters or fights past prime fighters, he's a brilliant tactitian with a hell of a beard. ANYONE calling for a Kovalev KO has 0 boxing sense and their posts should not be acknowledged.