Comments Thread For: Hopkins Explains Checkmate on Stevenson, Kovalev Deal

[Daddy T]

I'm happy Hopkins-Kovalev is happening. But if you really think about it, is Stevenson/Haymon really the one's that were out smarted here?

Think about it, if Hopkins beats Kovalev, that's great for Adonis/Haymon because they never wanted to fight Kovalev anyway. But if Kovalev beats Hopkins, well they can continue using the previous excuses they've used before not to fight Kovalev and fight someone like Pascal.

The only thing I'm getting out this article is Hopkins gets to keep his belts and get paid a pretty penny for fighting Kovalev, but I don't get why he's so excited in doing so. Maybe he thinks he's lucky because he gets to beat Kovalev now, then Stevenson later on; I don't know, if that excites him (i.e. fighting Kovalev), then one of two things is going on:

1. He's a bad motherfcuker

2. Or taken too many shots to the head and is off his rocker

From my standpoint as the fan and not businessman, I just don't get his logic here, but obviously he knows what he's doing because he's been doing it for 25 years. I just hope he's right.

But as a fan, I would pay money to see this on PPV.

nah I think he'd become like a quillin fighure. Kovalev/hopkins would be the recognised man in the division and stevenson would be that other guy holding a belt but refusing to fight the best ... think his ratings would take a dive ... could even end up as an undercard fighter

it's not like he tried to make the fight with either hopkins or Kovalev ... winner could just freeze him out/play hard ball.

[$Bullsfam$]

I'm happy Hopkins-Kovalev is happening. But if you really think about it, is Stevenson/Haymon really the one's that were out smarted here?

Think about it, if Hopkins beats Kovalev, that's great for Adonis/Haymon because they never wanted to fight Kovalev anyway. But if Kovalev beats Hopkins, well they can continue using the previous excuses they've used before not to fight Kovalev and fight someone like Pascal.

The only thing I'm getting out this article is Hopkins gets to keep his belts and get paid a pretty penny for fighting Kovalev, but I don't get why he's so excited in doing so. Maybe he thinks he's lucky because he gets to beat Kovalev now, then Stevenson later on; I don't know, if that excites him (i.e. fighting Kovalev), then one of two things is going on:

1. He's a bad motherfcuker

2. Or taken too many shots to the head and is off his rocker

From my standpoint as the fan and not businessman, I just don't get his logic here, but obviously he knows what he's doing because he's been doing it for 25 years. I just hope he's right.

But as a fan, I would pay money to see this on PPV.

What's not to get dude? If he beats them both he's the Undisputed Champion AGAIN. That rarely even happens once in a fighters lifetime. Kovalev is the bigger threat though Stevenson has beaten the better guys so far, Kovalev is the monster regardless and once he beats him all the cards are in his hand while Stephenson was trying to duck Kovalev while Haymon tried to rob B-Hop.

SIT DOWN HAYMON! This was a huge power move by Hopkins and GREAT FOR THE FANS. Just when Haymon thought he took over the OG's bite back!

[Szef]

Most people don't even remember Hopkins said he would fight Kovalev before he beat Cleverly and that Kovalev took the Cleverly fight instead because he wanted a title sooner rather then wait until the end of the year for Hopkins last year.

This is why B-Hop is still relevant and an OG in the game. He's 100% real. Stevenson thought we was out of dodge from Kovalev and thought he would finally get PAID by Haymon to fight the old man. I mean you'd rather get schooled then take a brutal KO right? Yet Hopkins pulls the boss move of not playin' Haymon's game and takes the tougher fight himself!

Get em' Hopkins! Show these young boys who's boss and unify another division!

You know, after I read this article, this scene was the first thing that came to my mind



B-Hop is an OG, nothing but respect for that man

[bojangles1987]

great interview. I'm delighted that stevenson and haymon weren't rewarded for the disgraceful ducking of kovalev.

Me too. So so so happy.

You typically don't get to say this, but it sounds like Haymon ****ed up. That or he didn't believe Hopkins was willing and/or able to make a deal involving fighting on HBO.

[bojangles1987]

Most people don't even remember Hopkins said he would fight Kovalev before he beat Cleverly and that Kovalev took the Cleverly fight instead because he wanted a title sooner rather then wait until the end of the year for Hopkins last year.

This is why B-Hop is still relevant and an OG in the game. He's 100% real. Stevenson thought we was out of dodge from Kovalev and thought he would finally get PAID by Haymon to fight the old man. I mean you'd rather get schooled then take a brutal KO right? Yet Hopkins pulls the boss move of not playin' Haymon's game and takes the tougher fight himself!

Get em' Hopkins! Show these young boys who's boss and unify another division!

He took the Cleverly fight because Showtime rejected a Hopkins/Kovalev fight. That's why Duva made the deal with HBO to bring Kovalev to them, if I remember correctly. Kovalev wasn't an HBO guy at that point, that was only starting with the Cleverly fight.

[$Bullsfam$]

You know, after I read this article, this scene was the first thing that came to my mind



B-Hop is an OG, nothing but respect for that man

To be honest I totally forgot about this scene haha I thought it was the scene when Omar tried to get Avon outside the club. Man I wish Omar didn't get copped by some little kid haha that's like if Murat would KO'D Hopkins!

This is a huge power move. Oscar owes Hopkins huge for this! He just made Haymon look vulnerable just when it looked like Oscar was down and out!

[$Bullsfam$]

He took the Cleverly fight because Showtime rejected a Hopkins/Kovalev fight. That's why Duva made the deal with HBO to bring Kovalev to them, if I remember correctly. Kovalev wasn't an HBO guy at that point, that was only starting with the Cleverly fight.

I know this was right at the beginning of the cold war too but I don't remember showtime turning it down but I do remember posters saying it would be impossible anyway because of the HBO beef. They could of though. I just remember an article where I believe it was Kovalev's promoter saying he fought Cleverly because it was a quicker title shot rather then wait for a fight with Hopkins that wasn't even guaranteed because of all the bad blood. I'm not sure if Kovalev had an HBO deal at this point.

[robertzimmerman]

Andre ward said he has to much respect to fight b hop, and jones was pricing himself out and only agreed when his career was trash and had no more leverage.

You've got this back to front.

It was Hopkins who priced himself out of the relevant rematch in 2002.

Everyone's seen their famous HBO argument.

Hopkins started the interview by wanting more money than Roy, then ended up asking for a 50/50 split.

Roy wouldn't agree.

Why should he have?

He'd already beaten him, and he'd have had to have moved down in weight for a catchweight.

Roy said he'd do the fight for 60/40 and Hopkins wouldn't agree.

Hopkins then moved up to LHW in 2006, and admitted that he could have moved up earlier.

Also, are you aware of what Hopkins said after Roy had lost to Calzaghe in 2008?

Here's a direct quote - "I don't want to fight Roy after Saturday night. What's the point? The things that he was able to do because he was Superman, he can't do them anymore. Physically he looked old. His face was shrunken. He didn't look strong. It wouldn't be right."

That's what Hopkins said.

Fast forward a year to 2009, and Roy was knocked out in a single round by Danny Green.

Yet incredibly, Bernard wanted the rematch, even telling the media that Roy hadn't had a fair shake in Australia.

It was Hopkins who waited until Roy had nothing left in the tank, before wanting a rematch to avenge his loss.


Back on topic, I give Bernard all the credit in the world for signing to fight Kovalev, and I can't wait for the fight. It will be an intriguing clash of styles.

[bojangles1987]

I know this was right at the beginning of the cold war too but I don't remember showtime turning it down but I do remember posters saying it would be impossible anyway because of the HBO beef. They could of though. I just remember an article where I believe it was Kovalev's promoter saying he fought Cleverly because it was a quicker title shot rather then wait for a fight with Hopkins that wasn't even guaranteed because of all the bad blood. I'm not sure if Kovalev had an HBO deal at this point.

Yeah, I've seen the article pretty much every time this gets brought up now. Showtime didn't approve Hopkins/Kovalev, and Kovalev's people went for Cleverly since that offer was waiting.

[arizashakes]

Gotta love BHOP for this. Really hope he wins.

Great work by HBO, Oscar, Main Events and all those involved.

Team Haymon take a hike.