Comments Thread For: Hopkins Hopes Beating Kovalev Eliminates The Haters

[TyrantT316]

Nard is a unique individual and has been impressive over a long period of time. He's a hard worker and dedicated to his craft. He does not get sidetracked with problems out of the ring. That is his greatest attribute. I also think he has done a tremendous job in managing his own career. He's been an amazing match maker for himself. That said, I do see him as a bit of a conman. Many shady defenses at 160 (against weak & small opponents), feigning pain at low blows and rabbit punches a la Calzaghe and Jones 2. The Robert Allen 1 fiasco where he seemed in jeopardy of a loss and feigned the ankle injury. And the Dawson 1 shoulder caper. So I see Nard as competent, smart with some elements of being a "ConMan" all thrown in together. His match making skills have proved mostly excellent but I think he made a mistake with Kovalev. I think Nard has a bias against white punchers and white fighters in general. He thinks they are soft, ****** and inferior. He doesn't see Kovalev as anything special. But I strongly believe BHOP has made a terrible miscalculation on this one. Kovalev IS special and he is the ultimate destroyer and will be the 1st to stop Hopkins. If Hopkins wins, I will never say another negative thing about him again. That's my promise.

From a Hopkins fan, I think you make some valid points about why he has haters. They may respect his skills, but don't have to love him as a fan.

I don't think a fighter like Hopkins goes into a big fight truly believing that his opponent isn't dangerous. I don't think he took Calzaghe lightly, I just think he was confident that he could exploit him. I don't think he's taking Kovalev lightly either. Fighters should have a sense of confidence going into a fight. They also need to display that confidence publicly. It's in their blood. That doesn't mean they aren't worried about their opponent's skill, power, speed, youth, etc. They are very aware of the risks. Hopkins has even said it himself, Kovalev is bringing two canons to the ring. He's powerful. But just because he feels he has the skills to neutralize that, doesn't mean he thinks poorly of Kovalev. That's like saying that Kovalev thinks poorly of Hopkins simply because he feels he has the ability to win.

You can question his "run" at 160. But how many fighters fight 20 all time greats? How many fighters fight 20 top 5 opposition. That's not necessarily possible. We might as well question Chavez or Ali's record and remove anyone who wasn't a top 5 or top 10 fighter. Leonard is not great for "EVERY" fight he's won. He's great for those handful of BIG victories vs the likes of Duran, Benitez, Hagler and Hearns. Even some of those were close. Every great has strings of weak opposition. Joe Louis's title defense record isn't filled with consecutive greats. It doesn't work that way.

Hopins was an ex-con trying to make a name for himself and be put in position for major fights. The job of the manager/advisor/promoter is to make sure that happens to building up their fighter in any way possible. People still point out his 160lb run even in the midst of being 45-50 years old fighting on a top level.

[Dirk Diggler UK]

I hope he gets brutally knocked the *** out just for using the term "haters".

He's 50 years old ffs. He should be put out to pasture for that.

[SlySlickSmooth]

Hard not to respect Hopkins for taking this fight

[Tuavale]

I know Hopkins won't take Kovalev lightly. I don't think he really respects him but I do know NARD is super smart and will get as well prepared as possible. He is not a fool. Yes, your point is correct about title defenses but Nard took extra special care with his reign - a shot John David jackson, journeyman Bo James, small and faded Simon Brown and Andrew Council. He ducked Brian Barboza after he beat Robert Allen. Morrad Hakkar, Steve Frank et al. He even forced poor Syd Vanderpool to weigh in on the DAY of the fight so he wouldn't blow up too much. That was a ConMan move. The day before weigh in was already well established. But I have to give respect to him for his challenge of Kovalev. I think he really put himself in a spot this time. If he wins, I will not reasonably critique NARD again. That's my promise.

[The Hammer]

I'll respect Hopkins if:

1) the ref is fair and impartial, not like Smoger vs. Murat

2) he doesn't use deliberate illegal head butts to cut Kovalev over the eye, as he did against Tarver, Dawson, Cloud, Wright, etc

3) he doesn't whine and moan if he loses, as he did against Calzaghe, Pascal, Taylor x 2, and Dawson (or cry and moan after a draw, like he did against Pascal)

4) he doesn't fake being hurt by low blows, like he has in numerous fights notably against Calzaghe

5) if he feels he can't win, he doesn't quit by faking an injury, as he did in the first Dawson fight

6) he doesn't make racist comments before the fight like he did before Calzaghe

[parrish duke]

I'll respect Hopkins if:

1) the ref is fair and impartial, not like Smoger vs. Murat

2) he doesn't use deliberate illegal head butts to cut Kovalev over the eye, as he did against Tarver, Dawson, Cloud, Wright, etc

3) he doesn't whine and moan if he loses, as he did against Calzaghe, Pascal, Taylor x 2, and Dawson (or cry and moan after a draw, like he did against Pascal)

4) he doesn't fake being hurt by low blows, like he has in numerous fights notably against Calzaghe

5) if he feels he can't win, he doesn't quit by faking an injury, as he did in the first Dawson fight

6) he doesn't make racist comments before the fight like he did before Calzaghe

wow that is a lot to demand from a 50 year old boxer to get your 1 vote of respect, sometimes trying to please 1 person is just not worth it - The man is 50 - respect it, we will probably never see an athlete accomplish anything near what he has accomplished since he turned 40! Maybe you should look at his body of work within one of the most brutal sports and sit back and watch him beat the most feared man in his division once again.. A laundry list of BS for a 50 year old fighter for your respect - I thought this was a boxing site, not a match making site... you probably want a boxer who chews with his mouth closed, comes out to 70's disco for his ring walk, wears striped trunks, hairstyle in a tight tapered fade. - Beat it

[Build That Wall]

Kovalevs fans are pretty much Matthysse fans and butthurt trinidad fans. Matthysse fans because they are mesmerized by power punchers and Trinidad fans because they are mad that their man got embarrassed.

[Mr.Fantastic]

Kovalev isn't that good.

[lutenco]

At 50y taking a fight that a younger champ doesn't want to take give him all respect in the world;BERNARD is a true legend because he is a true master of boxing and tough like very few fighters indeed;anyway he is fighting all hitters after CALZAGHE and DAWSON and this is something that only he knows why,he prefers fight punchers instead skilled boxers at this age. Obviously he is favorite to outboxe punchers instead skilled boxers but honestly a careless moment can cost him so much vs men like KOVALEV. KOV has David Jackson in his corner that knows so well BERNARD that make this fight so more interesting;i hope BERNARD doesn't put everybody to sleep on the sofa after two rounds but it can happen 90%! STYLES MAKE FIGHTS and STEVENSON is more dangerous for BERNARD because his skills and southpaw stance but KOV beat ADONIS IMO because STEVENSON has not the experience of BHOP so he will get caught by KOV. STYLES MAKE FIGHTS!!!

[Tay Roc]

he's a legend and I respect him, but hate his dirty/whiny tactics. However, I have enjoyed his last few fights and his personality is toned down (and less annoying).