could tell Sergey was holding back for most of the fight and pacing and measuring himself he beat the brains out of hopkins
I felt the same thing When Hopkins put his tongue out in that last round that really got Kovalev going and led to that ungodly beating
I wish Hopkins had stuck the tongue out in an earlier round. It would have been over at that point. It was actually some really good work for Kovalev.
Seriously, Ali took a great punch too. I hope Hop doesn't have any repercussions He took some big shots The ref should have given him a standing 8 This Kovalev guy is the real deal
Hopkins could not fight dirty because Kovalev did not allow him. John David Jackson should be given credit for being the architect of this fight plan.
Hopkins found it very difficult to make it an ugly fight simply because Kovalev was so much stronger and he was just quicker and fast enough not to let Hopkins dictate anything.
Kovalev stepped up his attack immediately following that taunt solely because Hopkins was actually hurt by a very good shot preceding it. I don't think the taunt got to him at all. He was fighting a too good of a fight in every way.
Very true. Also once Hopkins tasted Kovalev's power in the first, he knew not to anger this man. He did not even try any of his illegal tactics in fear of retribution. He put his tongue out with a minute left in the fight and nearly ended up ko'd. Bernard is smart fighter.
Excellent fight plan devised by JDJ. Kovalev also gets full credit for carrying it out so well. Pure professionalism at work.
Against previous opponents, yes. But this fight was different. Kovalev didn't go in recklessly and attack the way so many people thought he would. Watch the wicked right hand he landed a few seconds prior to the taunt that sent B-Hop reeling. Hopkins taunted because he was seriously affected by that shot. Kovalev, being the professional he is, sensed that and capitalized intelligently.
