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By Jake Donovan - There are endless storylines to help analyze the November 8 light heavyweight unification clash between Bernard Hopkins and Sergey Kovalev. Whether it’s experience versus youth, the mauling boxer versus the stalking puncher, you can go on for days with all of the ways in which they enter the ring from opposite ends of the spectrum.
Aside from both serving as light heavyweight titlists, there is another common bond to be found between the two – trainer John David Jackson.
Hopkins (55-6-2, 32KOs) has plenty of history with the former champ-turned-expert cornerman. The two fought more than two decades ago. Hopkins was two years into an eventual historic middleweight title reign; Jackson was a former champ on the wrong side of his prime, though never on Hopkins’ level even on his best day.
Roughly nine years later, Jackson was on board with his former ally, this time as an assistant trainer to Brother Naazim Richardson. The relationship began with Hopkins – at age 41 – upending Antonio Tarver in their June ’06 clash in Atlantic City to gain recognition as the top light heavyweight in the world.
Jackson remained as part of Hopkins’ team for another four years before moving on in 2010 to train other fighters. Among his stable of fighters these days, is none other than Kovalev, who has helped gain Jackson the credibility his career as a chief second has always deserved. [Click Here To Read More]
Aside from both serving as light heavyweight titlists, there is another common bond to be found between the two – trainer John David Jackson.
Hopkins (55-6-2, 32KOs) has plenty of history with the former champ-turned-expert cornerman. The two fought more than two decades ago. Hopkins was two years into an eventual historic middleweight title reign; Jackson was a former champ on the wrong side of his prime, though never on Hopkins’ level even on his best day.
Roughly nine years later, Jackson was on board with his former ally, this time as an assistant trainer to Brother Naazim Richardson. The relationship began with Hopkins – at age 41 – upending Antonio Tarver in their June ’06 clash in Atlantic City to gain recognition as the top light heavyweight in the world.
Jackson remained as part of Hopkins’ team for another four years before moving on in 2010 to train other fighters. Among his stable of fighters these days, is none other than Kovalev, who has helped gain Jackson the credibility his career as a chief second has always deserved. [Click Here To Read More]
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