Does Kovalev beat every version of Hopkins?

I'm a big Hopkins fan but it's possible Kova does beat any version of BHop, or at least any version at light heavyweight because that Hopkins was over 40 and past prime.

But I wouldn't rule BHop out, it would definitely be a very different fight if Kova faced a 41 year old Hopkins compared the the 49 year old version. Stylistically Kova isn't the type that usually gives Hopkins problems, namely faster and very mobile, who could get off first and be gone before he can counter, guys like RJJ and Dawson. But also Kova isn't some static target like Tarver or Pavlik who Hopkins would toy with.

 

Hopkins was naturally smaller than Kovalev and didnt punch anywhere near as hard.

If Kovalev would easily hang with prime Ward then he has no problem with any version of Hopkins.

 

While I agree that Hopkins probably loses to Kova h2h in their primes, I disagree on your opinion on Hopkins LHW run, he arguably has a better resume there than Kova or Beterbiev.

Tarver, prime Pascal, Cloud, Shenmue, and Murad were decent wins by the time Hopkins fought them.

 

Hopkins best win is Tito Trinidad. Kovalevs best win is Andre Ward.

You cannot be serious. Is this an actual question?

 

Kovalevs best win is Jean Pascal or a 50 year old Hopkins. Hopkins best win is a prime undefeated Pavlik. Hopkins 5th or 6th best win is a primer version of Pascal.

 

I dont recognize Wards win over Kovalev in the 1st fight and neither do most.

 

I feel you man, Rocky Juarez should have gotten W’s over Barrera and Chris John, Norton over Ali 3 times, Fenech over Nelson in their first fight, Gonzales over Estrada 2, etc etc etc.

That being said Kovas best win is still over a faded Pascal and 50 year old Hopkins.

 

Not to me and others. Most fans credit Kovalev with a victory over Ward. I couldnt give two ****s what a pair of corrupt hometown judges render.

 

Nobody cares anymore and 10 years from now they’ll care even less. I’m sure plenty of boxing fans during the 40’s were outraged at the first Louis vs Walcott fight. How many people care now? Does anyone even give Walcott credit for a W over Louis like they do with GGG over Canelo or Kova vs Ward?

 

People give Marquez credit for victories over Pacquiao that was nearly two decades ago. And Kovalev Ward was much more one sided. People give Whitaker credit for victory over Chavez and that was 3 decades ago.

 

Not really, opinion was pretty much split down the middle between the PAC and Marquez fights until fight 4 when Marquez KTFO Pac and sent him to the shadow realm, taking Pac’s rabid fan base with him.

Chavez vs Whitaker holds a lot of historical significance and the fight was ruled a draw and since there was no official winner Whitaker got the majority of the credit. Kova got two fat Ls from Ward and after the 2nd L almost nobody talks about their first fight anymore. The same thing is gonna happen vs Jack Catteral. Lot of people had him beating Taylor in the first fight but if Taylor wins the 2nd everyone is just going to move on and forget fight 1 even happened.

 

How could you recognise his win in the second? It was one of the most bizarre and dodgy stoppages I have ever seen, or ever will see. Punched to the nuts several times and then the referee doesn't even give him a count, waves it off.

 

Stay on topic. Kovalev beat Ward and he crushes any version of Hopkins.

 

I think he probably does. Granted the Hopkins Kovalev fought was ancient but I also got the feeling that Kovalev was taking it easy until the last round where Hopkins mocked him. Stylistically Kovalev is a hard fight for Hopkins.

 

Hopkins was obviously too old versus Kovalev, but at the same time Kovalev seemed to go easy on him due to that when he had the fight under control, definitely wasn't going for the kill like in some other fights, was happy to box and win on points.

Kovalev would TKO a younger Hopkins who wasn't in survival mode. He dropped the old one easily early on and hurt him in the final round. The young one is getting stopped.