Many were underestimating Kovalev's athleticism. I remember a prediction on youtube (picking B-Hop to win) saying that Kovalev was slower than Murat/Cloud/Shumenov, ****ing delusional.
I always was curious what people saw to make them think Kovalev is this (Hopkins words) slow footed predictable solely a power puncher it's almost like they convinced themselves it was true.
I always was curious what people saw to make them think Kovalev is this (Hopkins words) slow footed predictable solely a power puncher it's almost like they convinced themselves it was true.
The straight definition of delusional.
I have no idea.
But hey what do I know.... I'm just a blind nut-hugger!
That has always been the main thing that impressed me about Kovalev. He punches very hard but he doesn't just load up on one shot. He's got power in both hands and actually throws in bunches. A rare skill to have.
Having said that, Hopkins was virtually done tonight. He needs to retire.
i think calzaghe ruined him. no one can take that many clean punches and be the same.
It should have been stopped in the 12. Hopkins took unnecessary punishment in the end. That is fact. Kovalev clearly held back from the first round all the way into the first half of the 12th. When he turned up, let his hands go more he had Hopkins out on his feet. This is fact.
Kovalev showed too much respect. Had he went all out earlier he would have taken Hopkins out of there. Hopkins was very cautious and scared which is why he threw so little. Kovalev didn't exploit this because out of respect.
Can Kovalev fight Golovkin at 168 ? I don't think anybody at 175 will want to face him. The crowd was stunned, any other fight would've been booed heavily but the suspense of knowing any punch could potentially kill Hopkins kept people wide eyed. I was not sold on Kovalev but I am now, no age excuses, the guy boxed like an OG tonight. I think Hopkins should look into commentating, what's the point of fighting Stevenson, his whole aim was to be undisputed and that's no longer happening. Hope he retires.
I am completely stunned man, Kovalev boxing skills shocked me.
It's not always about stopping the opponent. Kovalev clearly dominated Hopkins the entire fight and had him hurt about three times. Credit has to be given to Hopkins though. He took some big shots and only went down once. He's a tough customer who has never been stopped.
It should have been stopped in the 12. Hopkins took unnecessary punishment in the end. That is fact. Kovalev clearly held back from the first round all the way into the first half of the 12th. When he turned up, let his hands go more he had Hopkins out on his feet. This is fact.
Kovalev showed too much respect. Had he went all out earlier he would have taken Hopkins out of there. Hopkins was very cautious and scared which is why he threw so little. Kovalev didn't exploit this because out of respect.
hit it right on the head. Kov was showing respect to Bhop and maybe a tad cautious of a counter from bhop here or their. If he had fought the way he fought the 12th round in rounds 1-6, Bhop would of been outta there.
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