Former two division world champion Bernard Hopkins expects Canelo Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 KOs) to have his hands full when he steps in the rung with Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (34-3-1, 29 KOs).

Canelo, currently at middleweight, will move up by two weight divisions to challenge Kovalev for the WBO light heavyweight title on Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Back in 2014, Hopkins was dropped and dominated over twelve rounds when he stepped in the ring with Kovalev in a light heavyweight unification.

Hopkins made an identical jump in weight back in June of 2016, when he moved up by two weight classes to win a twelve round unanimous decision over Antonio Tarver at light heavyweight.

Now Canelo takes on the challenge of attempting to topple the much bigger man.

Hopkins, a Hall of Famer, is a partner in Golden Boy Promotions, who guide the career of Canelo.

“I have super profound respect for Canelo because I have a history of taking on the best, and I see in the legacy that he’s building that Canelo has the same spirit. I know that he’s in the right mindset based on fighting the best in that division – none other than The Krusher. Thanks for bringing fights like this that make boxing a conversation in homes, coffee shops, bars, number houses in Philadelphia, as a conversation like other big sports whether it’s a playoff in the NBA, whether it’s NFL, golf, boxing is being talked about. And to see that, to me, Golden Boy, my partner Oscar De La Hoya, Eric, Robert, they are all on the same page and taking action to make these fights happen,” Hopkins said.

“I must continue to tell you your job is not to be biased, or to be with us all the time, but to write what you see and write what’s being done. And that’s more important than what you’ve heard. And not being the first one to get it out, because at the end of the day, you do your own independent analysis.

"Enjoy the fight November 2 because I know Canelo will have his hands full and Sergey Kovalev is going to be ready. I’m very happy and very satisfied that boxing has been passed down, like you pass a baton, to these two great fighters, making it even greater.”