If Smith Jr. knocks Hopkins out early, how will you rate Kovalev?

What is your prediction on Hopkins-Smith?

 

I really like Smith after what he did to Fonfara whom I always liked,that said Smith was hurt in that round also so it's hard to gauge him off that,his performance v BHop will tell us I guess.

I expect BHop to win this one though actually

 

smith will be picked apart

 

Regardless of the result of the fight, I'll still consider Kovalev as 1-1 in his last 2 fights, be it officially or unofficially. Officially, he got credited with a win over Chilemba, and a loss to Ward. However, that does not really tell the story of what happened in those fights. Kovalev had a bad performance against Chilemba, and he may have been gifted that decision. Likewise, Kovalev had a better performance against Ward, but may have been robbed of a decision win.

 

My opinion on Kovalev wouldn't change. Why would it? Styles make fights. Plus, Hopkins was battered in that fight and has aged a bit since then. Coupled with his inactivity means it's not a fair comparison.

Wait, do some people actually think Kov was gifted a decision against Chilemba? That blows my mind.

 

Yeah, a strange wind blows through this beloved site! Anytime there is a close fight and a fans guy loses, it is automatically labeled a gift to the winner and the loser got robbed! Or if the underdog puts up a better than expected performance and still loses!

 

Still rate him as the very best LHW out there if that happens.
B-Hop has been out of the ring for 2 years after that beating and at his age years count double. So he might get spanked...

I expect Hopkins to beat him though

 

Chilemba outboxed Kovalev? Where do you people come from

 

I'll be at the fight. The big question is how much has Bhop aged since his last fight 2 years ago.

 

No different. Kovalev fought Hopkins 2 years ago, and that wasn't anywhere near a prime Hopkins either. Good but not a great win, important for legacy since it was a unification. At this point Hopkins being completely over the hill due to father time wouldn't be shocking in the slightest....

 

Russian judges gave Kovalev a shutout on the cards even though we know for sure that Chilemba won at least 5 rounds nobody focused on that because they were so worried about the Ward fight happening. Kov vs Ward happens and HIStory is made for Andre Ward.

 

There were no Russian judges or referee assigned to that fight because that would have been considered unfair, unlike in some more corrupt countries.
Also there was only one judge that handed in an unfair score. (118-109)

 

Good stuff. Go to these fights and support the sport. I will be attending the Shabranskyy vs Barrera fight in the Inland Empire IF....I don't get tied up at work tomorrow.