Comments Thread For: Photos: Bernard Hopkins Grinding Hard For Kovalev Clash

[Daddy T]

Were gonna see if Kovalev can handle The initial shock when he realizes his Camp lied to him

i don't see how there will be any shock he has undoubtedly seen every hopkins fight from the last ten years.

[bojangles1987]

Hopkins body, in boxing terms, is any where around 32-34 years old. When a fighter/trainer starts having this mentality, that's when they'll beat Hopkins. I see Kovalev and Jackson saying they gotta treat Hopkins like an old man. They already lost. When they enter the ring and see the old man moving as much, or more than his opponent, better footwork than his opponent, better handspeed, Kovalev's brain is gonna be like "Wait a minute, I was told this guy was 50 years old. How does he move better than me? Why is his head movement better than mine?" That's when the confusion and frustration starts. I expect Hopkins to look mediocre for the first 4 rounds, then pick it up afterwards and start frustrating Kovalev.

Shape is one thing, but Hopkins does move and react like an older fighter. He's certainly not moving like he could at 32 or 34. So Kovalev should treat him like an older fighter.

[IronDanHamza]

I think a NC is possible.

I could see Hopkins doing a Dawson IF things aren't going his way early.

[Psylence83]

Hopkins in beast mode!!!

WAR ALIEN!!!

[IMDAZED]

Sigh. I can see a lot of people screaming at their screens, wondering why Kovalev isn't letting his hands go against the old man.

[boxingfocus]

I think a NC is possible.

I could see Hopkins doing a Dawson IF things aren't going his way early.

What, you can see Hopkins picking up Kovalev, throwing him to the floor and breaking one of his bones?

Sigh. I can see a lot of people screaming at their screens, wondering why Kovalev isn't letting his hands go against the old man.

This.

It's one thing pounding on a guy who is stood in front of you or moving in straight lines and leaving himself open. It is another figuring out how to actually land a solid shot on a slippery target that moves unpredictably and pops you with shots the second your brain is too occupied for you to be moving continuously yourself. That's where Hopkins genius lies. Whilst other guys are switching between thinking about defense and offense, he has become so instinctive that he can operate both at the same time.