Comments Thread For: Kovalev's Trainer: I Warned Hopkins Years Ago To Avoid

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Hopkins' style does not rely much on athleticism. He jogs at you head first trying to know you off balance (or cut you with his head) then throws potshots in the clinch.

Fighters like Roy Jones, once they're old, it's pretty much over, their styles are pure reflexes and athleticism. It's not the same with Hopkins. As long as he can walk he can keep boxing in that style.

[kafkod]

There will also be a little bit of an issue with size. if you haven't already seen these two next to each other, you'll be a little surprised by how much bigger Kovalev actually is. Anyways, I'll break it down the best I can. Kovalev likes attacking off the jab. He keeps his distance and establishes range. He has very quick feet in that he takes half steps towards and away from his target without losing any of his positioning. This is a key factor against Hopkins who was kept at a distance against Dawson's long jab and quick straight 1-2 combinations. Dawson is a south paw, so Hopkins has a better chance at dealing with Kovalev's orthodox position (comparisons to Pavlik come to mind, even though The Ghost was anything but invisible or quick of feet) Hopkins has a very good lead right hand. His timing is key when this tricky shot is carrying the round for him. He almost throws the shot blindly, and billy goats his way into an inside position so he can then turn his opponent. This is a good tactic against a fighter with limited offense. That's why it worked so well against Pascal and Pavlik. They wait on Hopkins and they let him dictate the pace and set traps. Kovalev is a high pressure fighter, but from a distance. Many think he's just a big right hand but the shot that surprises everyone is the follow up jab he adds to his straight 1-2 combination. It's hard to time and these shots are accurate and hard. Hopkins knows how to use the ropes but Kovalev has already proven to show he can find a hole, as well as deal with elbows and butts, while finally finding the money shot. Head, body, it doesn't matter, and it doesn't matter if he uses a right or a left. I expect Hopkins to be aggressive in this fight and try to push Kovalev back. If he can't do that, then I don't see him doing enough to win rounds. He must be offensive and that means taking the fight to the center of the ring and lull him into those traps with his lead rights, taking away his aggression and using it against him. I just don't see that happening. If Kovalev hits as hard as Calzaghe (which is pretty obvious) then I feel a fight where Bernard is constantly on his back foot is not only possible but for certain. I feel he hits harder than anyone B-Hop has ever been in the ring with and by the looks of all the defenses he has already cracked, the power seems to be more out of this world than the Alien.

That's a good analysis. I too think that Kovalev will be able to force BHop backwards and when he does that he will be able to set the pace, not BHop. Fighting at the pace your oponnent sets is tiring, especially if he is a power puncher like Kovalev and you have to concentrate the whole time. All Krusher needs is one clean shot and BHop knows that.
I think the most likely outcome is that 50yo BHop will start to fade and ship punishment around the middle rounds and when that happens Nazeem Richardson will intervene and pull him out.
I hope this happens before BHop gets decked as I want to see him go out on his feet. He deserves that much just for taking the fight. I think the only hope he has of winning is to cut Kovalev up before Krusher wears him down and force a stoppage that way. We could see a controversial end to the fight.

[Clint650]

Of course BHops is old, but he's still a legitimate champion who has fought and beaten 3 of Kovalevs peers (2 of them titlists) in the last 20 months.

If age didn't prevent him from beating Cloud, Murat and Shumenov (the last only 6 months ago) why should age prevent him from beating Kovalev?

I'm not trying to argue that Hopkins' age doesn't factor into his performance, simply that if Kovalev should win he's still fully deserving of the credit that would accrue from beating the guy who beat two of his title level contemporaries (if not as much as he would have deserved for beating a younger Hopkins) in Cloud and Shumenov - poor though they admittedly were.

I know in the case of Maravilla vs Cotto many were hedging due to Sergios age, layoff and injuries (I was one of them, kinda - well, Maravilla wins IF he's fit) but there's been no long layoff, no injuries that we know of, and no reason to suspect that Hopkins has suddenly aged overnight.

Even if he wins we'll never know if Kovalev could ever have beaten a 2006 era LHW Hopkins and no-one should be trying to claim credit for him doing so. Nonetheless the 2014 version has still been proving himself at the top level and that should be recognised whoever wins on Saturday.

well that's exactly the basis for what makes an interesting match up.

B-Hop is an old man. A very fit one, and also a man who lives a clean lifestyle. My argument, as to why I'm picking Kovalev to win, isn't about his age but more about his recent victories and defeats. I'm just taking Pascal's aggression, Calzaghe's work rate, and Dawson's ring generalship and seeing these traits in one fighter: Kovalev. Kovalev also has punching power, but since B-Hop has already been in with some heavy hitters, I am not banking on his streak of knockouts to continue but I am more than convinced that Kovalev's power is what gives him the edge in this fight.

Now according to some posters logic on here, Hopkins will be a better fighter at the age of 60 than he will be this Saturday night. I agree that Kovalev does not have the experience. And after compiling a visual of his most vulnerable moments in the ring, I can see where B-Hop's Jedi senses found something to exploit. It's still an out of the ring assessment because only when that bell rings this Saturday will B-Hop truly know how heavy Kovalev's hands are.

I still think Team Stevenson stalling to sign the fight with Hopkins caused this. It's another reason why we can say B-Hop is an old man. Was Bernard really going to sit around for another year while Stevenson fights another Fonfara level fighter with the promise of a mega fight later? Was he really going to give up his belt for not fighting his mandatory or actually fight a guy on a level below Shumenov? Would any of us really care to see that? Of course not. I praise Hopkins for stepping up and giving Kovalev the opportunity. It was much needed in boxing. I really didn't see another option for Bernard to be honest.

[Tobi.G]

I like Bhop, Pop's got skills.... But he's bitten off far more than he can chew this time... Kovalev is the man in this division, It's his time now... Bhop should have chosen Adonis....
"

"Adonis" was the first choice for Hopkins but Adonis said something like: "No, i want no part of that old greedy bastard" So Kovalev was the only big Name left at 175 and he said yes immediately. Props to both fighters for taking this fight without difficulties and without faking any injuries during camp. I think this time Hopkins has bitten to much of but who knows....Hopkins knows boxing inside out.

[Luilun]

Yeah and we all know there is a BIG difference between TV and this thing called REALITY!

Just don't cry when Hopkins is carried out in a stretcher

[MDPopescu]

After Hopkins gets dominated, we'll just pretend it's not a big deal kind of like when Dawson and Calzaghe both beat him fairly easily...

Hopkins taking those undetectable PEDs like Mayweather or what? No testing for this fight? A 49 year old facing top guys in the division causes no su****ion? I guess the whole "cleaning up the sport" thing was just an excuse to allow Mayweather to duck a dangerous opponent after all...

These are rhetorical questions...

[MDPopescu]

"Adonis" was the first choice for Hopkins but Adonis said something like: "No, i want no part of that old greedy bastard" So Kovalev was the only big Name left at 175 and he said yes immediately. Props to both fighters for taking this fight without difficulties and without faking any injuries during camp. I think this time Hopkins has bitten to much of but who knows....Hopkins knows boxing inside out.

Hopkins had to conclude a fight contract within 48 hours in order for IBF not to strip him. Kovalev signed in 36 hours.

[VG_Addict]

Really, even if Kovalev loses Saturday, he can still go on to be a force in the division.

[hectari]

Really, even if Kovalev loses Saturday, he can still go on to be a force in the division.

No he won't, he will become mentally broken, like Pavlik.

Kovalev is a tough guy, I used to be impressed with him, but in his last fight he didnt impress, he showed me nerves, he was fearful, and his arms were tighter no more of those flurries that would be thrown with power and effortless.

I see B hop out boxing him, and cutting Kovalevs eye with a head butt, he will frustrate him with dirty tactics making Kovalev lose focus, only shot Kovalev has is a punchers, but Hopkins has a iron chin.

There is no way Kovalev knocks out or even drops Hopkins, if the fight is close I could see Kovalev getting the decision and B hop crying robbery again, but I see this as Hopkins putting on a very dirty fight but very frustrating for Kovalev and winning a decision.

[Nomadic]

Warning Hopkins about a fight is equivalent of warning kids that Santa Clause is bad.