"Alien" Hopkins vs "Krusher" Kovalev Post fight Discussion thread

[The Hammer]

• Dan Rafael (ESPN.com): Hopkins has been in this exact position many times, and pulled an upset. I've learned my lesson. It's a tough fight, but Hopkins' ring intelligence, experience and chin ***** a Kovalev whose opponents have not been much to write home about. Hopkins W12.

• Bob Velin (USA Today): Kovalev might be the hardest puncher Hopkins has faced, and there is no doubt Hopkins is the smartest boxer Kovalev has faced. That should make for a fascinating matchup. Hopkins is older than old for a fighter, but is probably in better shape than the Russian destroyer, and has avoided damaging punishment. That said, I don't think he will escape Kovalev's ample power and Kovalev will not lose patience like so many of Hopkins' most recent victims. Kovalev KO10.

• Dave Weinberg (Atlantic City Press): Hopkins will frustrate and confuse Kovalev for the first few rounds, but Kovalev's power will eventually be the difference. Kovalev late KO.

• George Willis (New York Post): Hopkins has proved me wrong plenty of times. He hasn't had too much trouble with punchers. He beat Trinidad and ruined Pavlik. He'll have to prove me wrong again. Kovalev KO10.

• Mitch Abramson (New York Daily News): Hopkins is just too crafty, too smart and still possesses the necessary athleticism to beat a top fighter. Insane that a near 50 year old can win? No it's not. Hopkins W12.

• Ron Borges (Boston Herald): Hopkins will do what he does best. He'll mystify Kovalev into a fog of inaction and find a way to outpoint him. Hopkins W12.

• Graham Houston (British Boxing Monthly): I think Kovalev will out-work
Hopkins; don't think he will try to blast out the old ring general. Kovalev W12.

• Lem Satterfield (******.com): Hopkins will be completely relaxed in this fight. He once told me that Kovalev is the virtual mirror image of Pavlik. However, I don't think that this will be as easy, but I do believe that he'll find a way to be victorious. Hopkins W12.

• Robert Morales (Los Angeles Daily News): I rarely go against Hopkins because of his defense and trickery, but have to go with Kovalev in this one because he'll be unfazed by the stuff that lulls others to sleep when they are in with Hopkins. Kovalev late KO.

• Jake Kaplan (Philadelphia Daily News): The ageless Hopkins will defy the odds again -- against an opponent young enough to be his son. Like many opponents before him, Kovalev will have trouble handling Hopkins' mind games before and during the fight. Hopkins W12.

• Tim Struby (ESPN The ****zine): Once again, Hopkins will defy conventional thought. He'll stay out of range, trash talk, hold and frustrate Kovalev. Hopkins will also pick precise spots to stick and move; it won't be pretty. Hopkins W12.

[Luiz]

GP is a BOSS

[MDPopescu]

I don't think many of these people actually watch Kovalev fights. When I see people say he's less skilled than Shumenov, only loads up on single shots, or doesn't go to the body, I can't believe they actually watch him.

... face-first brawler, doe...

[MDPopescu]

The betting odds are like this:
Kovalev 1.29 to 1.4
Hopkins 3.25 to 3.57

[TudorMiron]

After really examining i hopkins is gunna win by decision. I was there live front row for sillahk vs kovalev and i know how hard he hits but after watching kovalevs fight vs agnew and even campillo who he destroyed theres no way he beats bhop bernard is gunna frustrate him be dirty and win a decision kovalev doesnt hit the body well and is very predictable..this whole time i was thinking about kovalevs power but it wont matter he hasnt fought guys at bhop level and fought guys who just stood there with theyre hands upside their head blocking and letting him tee off like agnew..BHOP DECISION

Tell it to Agnew and Caparello - both taken down by a bodyshots that didn't even look like something special
Everytime Kovalev hits you it hurts - no matter where (even if it's shoulders and arms). Problem is that he moves and fires combinations on the move. He doesn't need to stay planted to deliver a powerful blow. He hits very hard WHILE moving. Hopkins is a true legend and top ten ATG. But who was he fighting lately? Murat? Shumenov? Paskal is OK. He lost to Dowson, to rabbit punching Joe and Taylor (2 times). So it's not like he's unbeatable. But none of those guys that he lost to (well Joe does but those are not really punches) throw a lot of punches and non of those are considered as heavy handed.

[LA_2_Vegas]

If people want to use Pavlik as the paradigm for this fight, then I think it's worth discussing that John David Jackson is a huge upgrade in the trainer department over Jack "Double The ****ing Jab!!" Lowe. In fact, in the moments after that fight B-Hop gave what probably was the best bit of advice anyone could offer to Kelly and that was "bend your knees more." A simple observation that the corner of the former MW champ couldn't recognize in 12 rounds.

And even beyond the Pavlik fight, he is an upgrade over some of the trainers of recent B-Hop opponents who I've seen compared to Kovalev. Notably Shumenov...who trains himself.

Sergei's corner will be able to give him good direction - the last corner that was able to do that against Hop was Dawson's team probably and they got the win. Obviously their styles are polar opposites but the message will be the same: when given the chance, treat him like an old man.

[BTL]

Thing is the Krusher doesn't really load up on punches, he just throws... The ones u load up on Bernard sees and ducks... He is just going to overwhelm Bernard just like all the other fighters who have beat him.

[////]

Thing is the Krusher doesn't really load up on punches, he just throws... The ones u load up on Bernard sees and ducks... He is just going to overwhelm Bernard just like all the other fighters who have beat him.

He doesn't load up but he definitely lets you know he's about to throw by stiffening up his body language and bracing with his back foot. Just one flaw of his I've noticed.

I'm still not 100% decided on who will win this.

[Just Now Hit Me]

Lately, Hopkins has been getting by off smoke and mirrors. On November eighth, the gig is up.

[bojangles1987]

Lately, Hopkins has been getting by off smoke and mirrors. On November eighth, the gig is up.

And bad competition.