You do know that fight happened nearly a decade ago right? Even if Kovalev would be another Tarver, do you really believe current Hopkins could still beat the 2006 version of Antonio?
Kov will land flush at some point. If Hopkins makes it till the final bell I will give him credit just for that.
That fight was a complete shutout with knockdown. Yes, even 55-year-old Hopkins beats any version of Tarver or Kovalev. Guys like Tarver and Kovalev will never be able to land one decent punch on Hopkins.
Based on what? He's the slowest boxer in the business. He's slower than the majority of the heavyweights, FFS! and by his own definition he has no gameplan and never studied any opponent. This, coupled with the fact he has never been with any boxer even remotely as good as Hopkisn, even the actual Hopkins, is, means he'll get schooled, anticipated, clinched and dodged all night long. IF it'll even last that long, considering how bad he has been knoccked out in the past with a single punch and how fast Hopkin's unpunished headbutting and elbowing will injury him.
That's what everyone said before the Tarver- Hopkins fight. After the fight, they just said Tarver was overrated.
Where do people get the idea that Kovalev is slow? Look at his fight with Sillakh. And he has to have SOME foot speed, or he wouldn't be such a good finisher.
IMO, this fight goes one of two ways: 1) Kovalev KOs Hopkins or 2) Hopkins displays an ugly schooling for 12 rounds.
I think Agnew started the blueprint but couldn't finish it lol. In round 1 he was countering Kovalev pretty good but doesn't have the power to keep Kovalev honest. Then in round 2 he went down and fought cautious after that. Those short counter hooks that Agnew used worked well, he just wasn't tough enough to hang with Kovalev. I only gave Agnew round 1 but I do believe he shed a glimmer of light on how to expose Kovalev.