I’m trying to figure out why many fans think Hopkins will win

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Mendoza, Nov 5, 2014.


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  1. ArseBandit

    ArseBandit Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    No ****. I agree. It's damn easy to speak after the fact though. Fact is Hopkins was a 4/1 underdog vs Pavlik and there where plenty ridiculing those that picked Hopkins on here.

    'If' Hopkins does win Saturday, you'll find people saying that Kovalev too was a puncher without a focused mind.

    As I said, I'm picking Kovalev, but I'll not be writing Hopkins off.
     
    ArseBandit, Nov 7, 2014
    ArseBandit, Nov 7, 2014
    #151
  2. VG_Addict

    VG_Addict Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Like I said on another thread, I don't see it being an easy fight for either man tomorrow.
     
    VG_Addict, Nov 7, 2014
    VG_Addict, Nov 7, 2014
    #152
  3. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

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    Originally Posted by Mendoza View Post
    ’m trying to figure out why many fans think Hopkins will win. And then it hit me. I think some of pro Hopkins support has to due with hope.

    You see Kovalev is just the first of a wave of very talented Russians about to dominate the light heavyweight division. This fight will likely see Kovalev crowned as the new king. After Hopkins USA prospects are a little thin at light heavy. This could explain why Hopkins has so many picking him to win.

    Russian light heavies on the way up are at an all time high. Soon the light heavyweight division will resemble the heavyweight division. The good news is the fighters on the way up are very fan friendly. Who are they?

    I think Beterbiev ( New pro ) will clean Kovalev’s clock if they meet in the pro’s. In fact he already did in the amateurs. Mekhonstev and Govzdyk are very talented as well. You’d have to follow the amateur game to be familiar with them. But there’s no doubt they are grade A prospects with an eye on the prize. Give it two more years and we’ll have a bunch of guys willing to fight each other.

    It won't be Roy Jones cherry picking his opponents.



    1. How do we know Hopkins is the best Kovalev fought? He's 49, and is his record as a light heavy has a few losses on it. Some of the speedier fighters Kovalev Ko'd could have won a decision over Hopkins. Hopkins is the biggest name Kovalev fought.

    2. Kovalev has over 200 amateur fights and has made a few titles defenses as a professional. With 10+ years in the gym vs all styles, Hopkins bag of tricks won't be as effective. Kovalev is accurate to the head or body, and reasonably well on defense fora power puncher type who presses the action.

    3. I agree with your point.

    4. Disagree. Kovalev will throw and land more. He doesn't need a stoppage to win. In addition Hopkins who will have issues if Kovalev lands well to the body can go into a defensive shell. Its hard to win rounds this way, even if he lands 1 or 2 sweet coutners.

    Let's not act like Kovalev is some " protected fighter " who built up a 29-0 record on non top 25 level opponents. If he was, then Hopkins tricks could be a bigger X factor. Kovalev is well schooled.

    In upper weight classes superior physicality combined with superior youth trumps any plan a much older fighter might have 9 times out of 10.

    This could be Rocky Marciano vs Joe Louis, or if you prefer a young Cassis Clay vs an older Archie Moore.
     
    Mendoza, Nov 7, 2014
    Mendoza, Nov 7, 2014
    #153
  4. punisher

    punisher Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Hopkins has a speed an experience advantage. His IQ is way higher. Kovalev is a much harder puncher, though. And that may be the equalizer. I'm going with Hopkins. If Kovalev was as athletic as Dawson and could run Hopkins down like that and not give him any time to think, I would give Hopkins a snowball's chance in hell.
     
    punisher, Nov 7, 2014
    punisher, Nov 7, 2014
    #154
  5. Redondo5

    Redondo5 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Most picking hopkins are only doing so based on the outcome of his recent fights with pavlik, pascal, cloud, shumenov etc.


    In those fights bhop was facing limited opposition, with the exception of pascal who was a genuine threat in terms of ability.

    This time however, bhop is facing an unreal puncher. I fear for bhop life in this one. Freddy roach feared for his health against pavlik.... This time it's far more dangerous. An old man even in bhops shape should not have to face the punching power of kovalev.

    Kovalev is the hardest puncher p4p in boxing today.
     
    Redondo5, Nov 7, 2014
    Redondo5, Nov 7, 2014
    #155
  6. Cisco Route

    Cisco Route He Who Says Nay banned

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    And the status quo will be maintained Saturday night. Kovalev has punching power and that's it. He's a limited fighter. His defense is **** as is his balance. He's not particularly fast and his resume is woefully lacking. Can he even fight off of the back foot? I suspect not...
     
    Cisco Route, Nov 7, 2014
    Cisco Route, Nov 7, 2014
    #156
  7. VG_Addict

    VG_Addict Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Kovalev isn't some limited fighter. He was using feints against Agnew.
     
    VG_Addict, Nov 7, 2014
    VG_Addict, Nov 7, 2014
    #157
  8. Mr "T"

    Mr "T" Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I think a 168 lb. GGG knocks out BBop
     
    Mr "T", Nov 7, 2014
    Mr "T", Nov 7, 2014
    #158
  9. Vergilius

    Vergilius Boxing Addict Full Member

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    If Hopkins is still Hopkins he should beat Kovalev who, while powerful and exciting, isn't very refined as a fighter. Kovalev needs the KO to win, imo, and if he doesn't hurt Hopkins in the first four rounds it should be an easy fight for the Alien.
     
    Vergilius, Nov 7, 2014
    Vergilius, Nov 7, 2014
    #159
  10. Vergilius

    Vergilius Boxing Addict Full Member

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    All the power in the World is useless if you can't land it, though, and the Kovalev I saw against Cleverly will have a hard time getting to Hopkins.
     
    Vergilius, Nov 7, 2014
    Vergilius, Nov 7, 2014
    #160
  11. Dos Huevos

    Dos Huevos Boxing Addict Full Member

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    hopkins is faster. Hopkins is smarter. Kovalev is not athletic.:patsch

    Where the Hell are you people getting this stuff from?
     
    Dos Huevos, Nov 7, 2014
    Dos Huevos, Nov 7, 2014
    #161
  12. Dos Huevos

    Dos Huevos Boxing Addict Full Member

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    STFU Urkel!

    You do nothing but repeat yourself.:-((
     
    Dos Huevos, Nov 7, 2014
    Dos Huevos, Nov 7, 2014
    #162
  13. VG_Addict

    VG_Addict Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    What makes people think Kovalev isn't refined as a fighter? He has solid fundamentals.
     
    VG_Addict, Nov 7, 2014
    VG_Addict, Nov 7, 2014
    #163
  14. punisher

    punisher Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Read it again man. I said he is not as athletic. Hopkins will likely be able to use the entire ring and pick his shots. Dawson is tall, long, and more athletic. Hopkins could not establish a rhythm against Dawson. Hell, Cedric Agnew hit Kovalev whenever he wanted. But, he eventually wilted with that shell defense. Hopkins, even a 50 year old version, is miles better than Agnew.
     
    punisher, Nov 7, 2014
    punisher, Nov 7, 2014
    #164
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