Why did Kovalev's team choose Cleverly over Hopkins?

[MDPopescu]

I really don't understand why all of the sudden certain posters are defending Stevenson to the death. I wasn't even aware they were fans of him.

They are not his fans... It's a "secret fraternity" of some sort -- which acts with a single voice in the presence of certain stimuli...

[CTC JOHNNY]

We all know what considering he had Malcom X on his signature and a bunch of references to such movements and looking at his nickname with the X... It is quite obvious.

And he will believe everything that his preferred fighters spew, he swallows that up like the mindless, manipulated fan he is.

What do you mean by Considering he had Malcom X???

[The Raw Dog]

People hate to see n!ggas getting money and getting rich....lol

[Hougigo]

Showyime wanted the fight obviously and tried very hard to secure it until kovalev got scared f being knocked out by bhop

[MDPopescu]

Ah.

My take on all of this is that while I don't think Stevenson is "scared" of Kovalev, its a pretty clear duck by him and his handlers. They want the lucrative Hopkins package deal and if he were to get knocked out by Kovalev, which is a distinct possibility, the deal might go out the window.

In his last interview, as Adonis asked for the right money, a guy behind him said "the man is putting his life on the line"... (I can't find the original interview version; only selections)

[Da Machine]

Didn't HBO turn the fight down cause BHOP is GBP?

[Cuban Linx]

Go to 9:54



Acccording to Kovalev, Hopkins was indecisive. Whereas Cleverly immediately agreed.

[thuggery]

Yup, only Floyd fans defend Stevenson's ducking just like others have pointed out.

[Derranged]

Yup, only Floyd fans defend Stevenson's ducking just like others have pointed out.

Floyd fans aren't defending him. FLOMOS are, and there's a difference. I don't want to keep correcting you, Mexican Bobby Hill.

[boliodogs]

Kovalev might have liked the terms of the Cleverly fight better. There is always more than one side to the story. I think Hopkins is lucky Kovalev didn't fight him because Kovalev would probably have knocked him out. Hopkins is a great fighter but he is 49 and living on borrowed time. If he continues to fight a bad ass like Kovalev will smash him into retirement. This guy Kovalev is one hell of a fighter and fears nobody. It's between him and Stevenson who is the best 175 pounder and it's plain as day Kovalev wants that fight much more than Stevenson does. Hopkins is probably no match for either of them. Remember Hopkins got beat by Dawson not so long ago and he is older and further past his prime now.