What can Kovalev do to solve the riddle of Hopkins?

Just be aggressive and he'll do damage (he has power)
But hey i pick B-hop to win UD

 

Die and come back reborn as Roy Jones jr...

 

Dont look for one punch and let Hopkins dictate the pace of the fight thats a mistake that other big punchers like Trinidad and Pavlik made, instead set a fast pace from the get go and throw lots of punches, make the old man uncomfortable and dont be afraid to lead if he does that he should win a decision if he doesnt he gets schooled like Tito and Pavlik.

 

i think kovalev's skills are underated.

he sets up his shots well.

id favor kovalev to decision hopkins in an ugly fight.

 

Kovalev needs to be Kovalev and do what he does best without falling victim to Hopkins tactics. Kovalev will find Hopkins due to his ability to connect power shots from different angles. I predict Kovalev will stop Hopkins in the mid to late rounds unless Hopkins uses one of his tactics to get the fight stopped.

 

Yup. That's what Hopkins wants. For you to wind up and look for that big shot. Kov should stay busy and vary his attack. He goes to the body and that might serve him well. The last thing you want to do against Hopkins is be predictable. Just mix up the attack and don't look for the big shot.

 

The same he does in every other fight, figure him out in the 1st then go for the kill in the next couple of rounds. Make the old man pay for his slow start.

 

Kovalev needs to show mental fortitude. He can't get wrapped up in Hopkins mind games or frustrated if he struggles in the first half of the fight.

Forget loading up with big single shot's, you'll never land them as Hopkins will see you set up the punch and be gone. When in range punch in combination, Hopkins will likely slip the first shot, it's the follow up punches that will more likely land.

He can't let Hopkins tie him up and smother him when he gets into range. Be physical on the inside don't be passive in the clinches otherwise Hopkins with control the pace by clinching.

 

I see Don Turner in now in KOvalev's corner.

He's got some veteran American trainers in there with him. So hopefully they'll prepare him well for the foul-filled, wrestling, clinching and headbutting style Bernard will be bring to the fight. I expect that once KOvalev gets his hands untied from Bernard and lands some power shots on him, we'll see Bernard taste the canvas.

 

I'd think of Hopkins as a Rubik cube hard to solve and might frustrate you so kovalev is better just smashing it to bits no need to solve it

 

Do what Joe C did. Stay busy. B-Hop out boxed Joe C. But Joe's stamina and work rate got him the decision.

Plus Kovalev's shots will be alot more taxing. If he mixes the body and head (like he has shown in his last 5 fights that I saw) he'll do what it takes to win.

 

Easier said than done. Kovalev doesn't have Calzaghe's frenetic work rate and he I'm not sure his foot work is as good as Calzaghe's. Calzaghe's most underrated attribute was his footwork it's what allowed him to out box the rangier Kessler and what allowed him to match Hopkins movement to apply his higher work rate and even then he still threw about 300 punches less than normal against Hopkins.

Kovalev isn't the plodder Pavlik was and doesn't always need to be set to punch like Tito which is why he has a much better chance than those two but how he is able to cut off the ring and close the space on Hopkins is key to how he'll win the fight.

 

Watch Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson.

 

Hit him to the body.