Hopkins : Pascal will win vs Kovalev

[iNixus]

A short interview in french that i translated translated in english. (may have some mistakes)

Jeff Jeffrey Emond: Hello Mr. Hopkins! How are you?

Bernard Hopkins: Well thank you!

JEJ: You faced Jean Pascal and Sergey Kovalev. Who will win between these two warriors to you?

BH: We must look at the style of the two boxers before deciding on a fight, it's not just comparing pugilists sheets that can determine the outcome of a confrontation. Experts give Kovalev winner because of its fearsome firepower and he hits hard, I know something. However, these same experts underestimate Pascal. I think Jean will win over Kovy.

JEJ: Why?

BH: Pascal's style is far from orthodox. The unpredictability of Quebecers will confuse Kovalev early in the fight. Jean is not the kind of traditional boxer who sends one or two jab followed by a right hand. It draws much of his idol, Roy Jones Jr by sending a quick right hand before launching any jab. In addition, he learned a lot from both duels with me. Jean now can rhythm himself in a fight, as we saw against Lucian Bute. Pascal is now at the top of his game.

Another fact that many neglect: There was a lot of animosity between me and Pascal during our confrontations, which is not the case today. However, Jean do not hate Kovalev, he will be more adept at controlling his emotions during the fight.

JEJ: A lot of people might say that your prediction is influenced by your bitterness due to the result of your duel against Kovalev last November?

BH: Absolutely not. You will see that Pascal will complicate Kovalev life on the evening of March 14th.

Source : themainfight.com

[Da Machine]

No, he wont. SOrry Hopkins, maybe you are going bran dead from old age or you just have a vendetta for the white boy who took you to schhool, but you're wrong.

Listen, this is one of those easy pick em fights with all the writing on the wall again. Kovalev isnt going to lose this fight. Not only is Kovalev going to win, but its never going to be close and once Pascal begins too tire if he hasnt already been put out, then he will be tko'd mid to late fight.

Pascal does not have the mechanics to keep a guy as skilled and relentless as Kovalev from cornering him and peppering him with hard shots.This will be a massacre.

[shenmue]

Hopkins gets plenty of fight predictions wrong, this is another to add to the list.

[North Star]

I think BHop is just siding with the Pascal because he had that teacher/student feeling after their fights, and respect was mutual at the end. He favors Pascal because he likes Pascal. If Pascal can pace himself like BHop mentioned above, it's possible he could outpoint Kovalev over the course of the fight. But I honestly feel he will need to stop Kovalev to beat him. His power is too dangerous and he can turn the fight with one shot. I think Kovalev will stop Pascal by the later rounds.

[SnakeVen0m]

Respect the man's opinion but I disagree. Although, this fight will be closer than most people think. Pascal will take KOv to his limit but still come up short.

[iNixus]

Respect the man's opinion but I disagree. Although, this fight will be closer than most people think. Pascal will take KOv to his limit but still come up short.

I agree, it will be a close fight. I can even see a split decision going to either fighter in a epic fight and if this happen a rematch would make it even more epic after.

[SeekDaGreat]

I can't see Pascal hanging with Kovalev. He might even get stopped.

I think Kovalev is better than him in every facet of the game that will matter in this particular fight.

[Rip Chudd]

Hopkins picking the black fighter, not surprised

[SilverMiles]

This is just the classic case of a fighter hoping that a fighter he beat already beats the fighter he couldn't beat. Therefore if Pascal beats Kovalev then in a way Hopkins beat Kovalev because he beat the fighter who beat the fighter.

[SUBZER0ED]

I think BHop is just siding with the Pascal because he had that teacher/student feeling after their fights, and respect was mutual at the end. He favors Pascal because he likes Pascal. If Pascal can pace himself like BHop mentioned above, it's possible he could outpoint Kovalev over the course of the fight. But I honestly feel he will need to stop Kovalev to beat him. His power is too dangerous and he can turn the fight with one shot. I think Kovalev will stop Pascal by the later rounds.

Hopkins is siding with Pascal because Kovalev humiliated him. He was very confident that he would beat Kovalev, but when the fight occurred, he quickly realized that he had underestimated Krusher's skill. His ego says Pascal will win, but he'll probably secretly bet on Kovalev.