Hopkins. I think Stevenson would have been the easier fight. Stevenson workrate, stamina and chin, are questionable, BUT i feel he is a bigger puncher than Kovalev. Stevenson can put people to sleep with one punch, whereas Kovalev takes a couple of good shots to do it.
I think Kovalev has the better chin. Stevenson was KO'd by Boone, and dropped by Fonfara, who isn't exactly a power puncher. I give Sukhotsky a slight chance based on that.
Hopkins will embarrass Kovalev tonight and then move onto exposing Stevenson and his bad habit of being wide open to straight rights. Hopkins will set a new standard in boxing for being the oldest boxer in history to unify the LHW titles. A standard that will stand for the next 100 years.
Stevenson has the speed and movement to give Hopkins problems but he is predictable, pretty much keeps looking to counter with the straight left every time. He fights in spurts and doesn't have the stamina or work rate to overwhelm Hopkins, he's basically a faster and more dangerous Pascal. I could see Hopkins winning but it wouldn't be easy all depends upon what he has left. If Hopkins beats Kovalev then I'd say he beats Stevenson.
Stevenson is a southpaw with excellent power. His skill level is awful, he may as well tie his right hand behind his back because he only uses his left. Hopkins would out box him with ease.
He'd leather Stevenson. The thing when facing Hopkins is, is that your 'Plan A' has to be SUPER f*cking good. If not, you're done. Stevenson's Plan A is not good enough to beat Nard.
