People are giving Hopkins credit for taking the kovalev fight but..

Because no one wanted to see another stay-at-home-fight-bums-retire-undefeated-Calzaghe?

Cleverly could've gone the same route, and his handlers CERTAINLY wanted him to. He could have retired undefeated and the same Calslappy would try to build him up too.

 

Because Cleverly isn't a name. He was an up and coming guy trying to make a name for himself. Hopkins has already done that and can retire today and live off his interest for the rest of his days if he wanted to, or he could have fought his bum ass mandatory and he still would have made a nice paycheck.

 

Because a lot of people are dumb and they don't watch fights. That doesn't stop them from talking **** though.

 

clev gets credit for taking the fight.

that said, ko4clev was at the time another eurosport thumper with one good name on his resume.

also, its odd that we should be expected to give credit for a world title holder to fight someone world class....!! how far has boxing fallen.

 

This was actually word for word total FACT.:deal

 

because BHOP is old enough to be your grandpa. and Cleverly is young and in his prime. he doesn't have enough rank to pick and choose.