Kovalev is a legitimate contender and potentially something a bit special. But history unfurls itself, you can't judge it as it happens. What I mean is, it depends what else Kovalev goes on to achieve. When he beat Pavlik, he beat the undisputed middleweight champion of the world, a man who was appearing on p4p lists. Although we judge Kovalev a better fighter than Pavlik, Kovalev needs to prove this. Ironically, Hopkins beating him would set Kovalev back a good bit. So we'll only really know in about 2020. Having said all that, Hopkins is 49, so even in the unlikely event that Kovalev turns out to be just another Cloud, it's still special. But not quite historic in the terms you mean, yet.
Massive in the sense that i expect Kovalev to KO him within 4. Massive props to him if he wins, especially if he schools him.
I really don't know what else Bernard Hopkins has to do to convince you people. He cannot go on for ever Father Time always wins in the end. Give Bernard his dues, appreciate what he has achieved over his long career. Accept the fact that he is undeniably an ATG one of the top 5 Only George Foreman came close to what Bernard did but you have to remember George had a long break Bernard has fought continuously.
When BHOP beats Kovalev and snatches his strap, he will be one step closer to achieving what these young lions couldn't. Unification of the LHW titles becoming Undisputed champion. This is a goal that real fighters should always hope to achieve, but none of these young bucks haven't even come close..
Good summation. Really just depends how Kovalev bounced back. If he's truly great - and this, in turn, is a great win - then he'd go on to re-establish himself and curate his own legacy. If he's not a special fighter (I believe he is, personally), then he'll probably never bounce back. In any case, really excited for this fight. Really like both fighters - impossible not to admire Hopkins, and it's difficult not to be mesmerised by Kovalev in the ring and love how humble he is out the ring.
I've never been a fan of Hopkins, but if he wins tonight I will bow down and take back everything bad I have ever said about him. It would be the kind of win that shoots you way up in the mythical ATG rankings.
