Hopkins on Kovalev. I felt like a middleweight in there against a cruiserweight

Is his statement even an excuse. People are just choosing to hear it as an excuse so they can bash Hopkins.

It could also be construed as a compliment to Kovalev. Fact is Kovalev looked as strong as **** in there, Hopkins wasn't man handled like that against Tarver, Dawson, Pascal, Cloud etc all legitimate light heavies. Hopkins was simply saying that even though he is a legitimate light heavy, Kovalev made him feel like a middleweight because of his superior strength.