Do people who favour one fighter over the other because of power make you laugh?

Ward's composure is extremely important after getting hit. I'm really excited too because I like both guys and just can't pick a winner.

 

Hopkins's a different beast and you know it. Despite his age he proved time and time again he could hang in there with people 15-20 years younger than him and win. Look at Pascal, Cloud and Shumenov*. No, they were not the greatest LHW the world has ever seen, but he beat them and they were all champions.

Before their fight, this board was full of people who kept saying Kovalev would get schooled by Hopkins and it was the opposite.

Hopkins 's age is the reason I would not fight him if I were a fighter. You lose ? You lose to an old man. You win ? Congrats, you just beat an old man.

I for one can't wait to see their fight.

 

Same here. I'm slightly more a Krusher fan based on style, but I like Andre and have serious respect for his skills. I could not bet on this, but may the best man win.

 

So power is never a factor in any fight?

 

Nobody's saying Kovalev will win purely and only because of his power. But not to take it into consideration is absolutely re****ed.

 

Those who have power wield it. Those w/o power make up all sorts of rationales for why they don't need it.

 

Power is obviously important in boxing but does generally get a bit over rated imo.

Kovalev vs Ward is an intriguing match up because it is offensive fighter with power and skill vs defensive fighter with speed and skill.

 

Personally for me... POWER matters & I will judge at the heavyweight division. A big azz dude that can't punch is definitely boring as fugg to watch.

 

Once you get up to around 160 pounds or so power becomes an important part of winning the fight. Obviously it matters at all weight classes, but once you get to a certain size of fighters they start hitting really damn hard. Like astonishingly hard.

At the 175 pound limit we're talking about guys who hydrate and come into the ring at 190 pounds and in great shape. A guy like Kovalev will rip your damn head off.

Power in the LHW division matters, a lot.