Comments Thread For: Weights From Atlantic City: Hopkins 173.5, Kovalev 174.5

[IMDAZED]

Man i hope i am in that great of shape at 49

You might be but definitely not like Hopkins

[jas]

Anybody else think kova looked drained?

Didn't wanna say it because it takes away from Bhops win but signs were there

[Larry the boss]

Anybody else think kova looked drained?

Didn't wanna say it because it takes away from Bhops win but signs were there

nope not at all..both look great

[Levity]

You make some really good points, Kovalev has power for sure but being a long time boxing fan I've seen lots of guys with big power not be able to translate that at the higher levels. One such guy look at Edison Miranda. A monster puncher at middleweight who couldn't translate it at the top levels because the guys at the top don't give you the opportunity to hit them clean and they have better durability, in general more talent, making their opponents think before they punch, moving more effectively, they put more damage on their opponents which weaken them, strips them of confidence. Locales is powerful, just not proven at the upper eschelon. He gets his shot Saturday night though.

Whether Kovalev is able to connect with his power at the highest levels is one matter, but I doubt that his punches will significantly lose their potency even if they're landing. Someone like Nathan Cleverly (who was arguably top 3-5 when Kov beat him) has shown a good chin, at least as good as a top-tier fighter like Stevenson's, yet Kovalev destroyed him fairly quickly.

Which current LHW's are there that have definitely shown better durability at the weight than Cleverly did?

[Rostov Papa]

Tarver was never an elite puncher.

I wouldn't say elite - you're right. But he had nice, solid pop.

Pascal was prolly the most explosive guy he's fought at 175, and it took him5 4-5 rounds to adjust and adapt. He got legitimately floored once in that fight - hard. The other was sort of grazing, but still a legit KD.

But from like round 5-6 in the first fight, through the 12th round in their rematch, he basically dominated and won every round.

As far as like grinding, two-fisted power Cloud - but he was a grinder, and his power not really as effective against a guy like Hopkins.

So as far as explosive power, it's Pascal; and grinding, thudding "slow" power it's Cloud.

Tarver, Shumenov, and Murat all prolly have about the same power, as suggested by their KO ratio.


But now you have Kovalev, who isn't exactly what I'd call a mover who is quik on his feet like Pascal, but I don't think he's as flat footed, and as Cloud.


The power difference between all those guys is still relatively small.. And the difference between those guys, and Kovalev is extremely large. He just hits sooo much harder than anybody Hopkins has faced. Literally his power is just crippling, and crunching. He'll hit Hopkins's guard, or shoulder/arm, and move him back.

This is such a hard fight to call...

[Rostov Papa]

Whether Kovalev is able to connect with his power at the highest levels is one matter, but I doubt that his punches will significantly lose their potency even if they're landing. Someone like Nathan Cleverly (who was arguably top 3-5 when Kov beat him) has shown a good chin, at least as good as a top-tier fighter like Stevenson's, yet Kovalev destroyed him fairly quickly.

Which current LHW's are there that have definitely shown better durability at the weight than Cleverly did?

Good point right here...

Oh yes - love the Kov. gifs.

[jas]

nope not at all..both look great

His face looked sunk in

Quickly went off stage to get rehydrated

Chewing gum which he never does at weigh ins to cope with the restlessness of being dehydrated and dry mouth

[freedom213]

Whether Kovalev is able to connect with his power at the highest levels is one matter, but I doubt that his punches will significantly lose their potency even if they're landing. Someone like Nathan Cleverly (who was arguably top 3-5 when Kov beat him) has shown a good chin, at least as good as a top-tier fighter like Stevenson's, yet Kovalev destroyed him fairly quickly.

Which current LHW's are there that have definitely shown better durability at the weight than Cleverly did?

Kov has beaten some good b level guys but there is a big jump between those guys and even someone like Stevenson or Pascal. There aren't many top shelf LHVY guys or maybe a better way to put it is the shelf is a bit lower at the top. Hopkins is at the top of the hill.

It's a possibility that Kovalev will take him out and prove he is the best and worthy of all the praise currently. I just think Hopkins will be too sneaky and skilled for him.

[Cutthroat]

Maybe Kovalev is anxious, happens to everybody. That last fight with Cap, that KD looked like it was the result of being nervous, his legs sort of gave out. Hopkins can land clean, he can take Kovalev into the deep rounds, he's got a great defense which is why I give him a good chance.

Kovalev doesn't really get hit if you watch his fights, guys are too scared to throw, but Hopkins can land thanks to his defense, and while he may not have elite power he can do some damage landing clean. The punches you don't see coming hurt you the most.

This'll be a very interesting fight, just wish I could see it, have to go to a party tomorrow, faaack!

[King_]

Maybe Kovalev is anxious, happens to everybody. That last fight with Cap, that KD looked like it was the result of being nervous, his legs sort of gave out. Hopkins can land clean, he can take Kovalev into the deep rounds, he's got a great defense which is why I give him a good chance.

Kovalev doesn't really get hit if you watch his fights, guys are too scared to throw, but Hopkins can land thanks to his defense, and while he may not have elite power he can do some damage landing clean. The punches you don't see coming hurt you the most.

This'll be a very interesting fight, just wish I could see it, have to go to a party tomorrow, faaack!

We're just ignore the clear evidence of a 175lb mans foot being on top of Kovalevs while Kovalev took a punch to the face and pretend he was nervous.


If you have a 175lb foot on top of yours and take a punch to the face you will lose balance and fall. Andre Ward would of fell. Gennady Golovkin would of fell. Floyd Mayweather would of fell. Manny Pacquiao would of fell.