Kovalev schooled and battered Hopkins 12 - 0

Yeah.

 

Indeed!
Kovalev did to Hopkins what Hopkin diehards thought he'd do to him.

Kovalev dominated in every facet of the game.

I for one was happy that Kovalev turned it up a notch when Hopkins stuck his tongue out at him.
Its as if Hopkins was trying to save face by sticking his tongue out at Kovalev, next thing Hopkins know Kovalev is battering upside the head.

 

he did it for the fans doe, hopkins took those shots to please the fans doe, he's a legend.

 

OK! lol:

 

took him 50years to put on a pleasing fight, a fight he gets battered in. :rofl

 

He destroyed hopkins. Much worse than just KOing him in the early rounds. He showed him it aint about 2 guns or power. It's about I got way more skills than you, and you going to suffer. Hopkins is probably going to feel that last round for the rest of his life. It ain't about hopkins having a chin, it's about he was carried along to show everyone that he ain't nothing. Hope he does ok in the hospital.

 

Hop was pretty much in survival mode the entire fight. It wasn't that enjoyable to watch, but, I give Hop credit for not fighting like a dirty *****.

 

Kovalev was to strong on the inside for dirty rough tactics to work against him. Hopkins actually tried to implement his hit and clinch routine and Kovalev round housed a couple of inside shots upside Hopkins head and Hopkins knew immediately he it was'nt wise for him to stay so close.

Hopkins did the only think he really could, get on the defensive and hope to get lucky and land a lucky big shot.

 

I was surprised at how good Kovalev was last night. I always thought it would go the distance but it would be close, I had been favouring Kovalev to win during most of the build up and switched to Hopkins at the last minute more out of hope than anything else.

Kovalev completely shut Hopkins down. Nobody expected Kovalev to box as well as he did, many expected pressure and work rate what we got was clever foot work and control of distance, which has always been a key aspect of Kovalev's success.

Most fighters follow Hopkins in, allowing him to counter and clinch as they get too close, Hopkins never really had much opportunity to do either last night. Instead of just falling in after Hopkins when BHop was on the ropes he either stopped or took a step back to create distance, it's what caused the knock down in the first, BHop in the corner but instead of being drawn in Kovalev steps back and catches Hopkins looking to counter out of the corner.

Kudos to Kovalev for putting on such a great display, nothing but scorn for those who so vehemently tarnished the build up of the fight with talk of the fix being in or Hopkins having the judges in his pocket or that Hopkins would find a way out. Those posters even in calling the fight correctly managed to make themselves look like complete idiots, there was no fix, there was no need to find a way out.

 

My whole attitude to this fight was surely Hopkins can't beat Kovalev....can he? My gut instinct was no but old Bernard had me thinking for sure. Now looking back it is an achievement surving 12 rounds with the russian. Now would be a good time to retire Bernard, you are a boxing legend with nothing else to prove. Your health should now be your main priority, enjoy life with your family.

 

'Schooled' is a wrong word here. Hopkins even at nearly 50 has an ATG chin, great defence and high ring IQ, but his speed and power are gone. 'Schooling' is when less gifted physically fighter dominates more gifted (faster, bigger, younger, better puncher) only because of better skills.

 

Yep. I'm ****ing tired now

 

yes we know , this has been discussed on nearly every thread on page1 so far , these threads need merging !!

 

to be honest, hopkins did school him. in that he probably learned more from this fight, than any two of his previous fights. kovalev will be even more dangerous after this "schooling".