It takes Hopkins about 4 rounds to adjust his opponents style, that's about as much time as Kovalev takes to finish fights.
Im just interested in seeing what kind of boxing skills both fighters will display with their contrasting styles. Bernard will definitely pull some tricks out of his bag, things that Kovalev and none of his opponents have probably even faced. Bernard is definitely a master in the art of boxing and there are not many like him, though Andre Ward is def the guy i would compare most to the Alien. Kovalev is a real beast, and could KO B-Hop at any moment. I wonder about Kovalevs stamina, will he be frustrated if he is not successful early on? Bernard will make it ugly and unconventional and Kovalev’s defense is not anywhere near B-Hop’s. I cant bet against B-Hop on this one, I dont think Kovalev has the speed to frustrate B-hop the way that others have. Bernard may even have better hand speed than Kovalev, what do you guys think?
It will be right hand city for Hopkins against this one dimensional plodder. I like the way Hopkins gets his straight right working and then mixes it up with left hooks. I expect that Hopkins will use the jab more than usual to catch Kovalev as he is coming forward and to break his momentum. I also expect to see Hopkins keep the fight in the middle of the ring because he doesn't want to be on the ropes where Kovalev will have a chance to tie off. Kovalev has never been hit as much as he will be hit by Hopkins. As Hopkins suggests, we'll see how well his face and eyes hold up.
Lets not forget Kovalev's chin is suspect, he was almost KO'd in round one by the light punching Caparello.
That is a possibility that could well prove true, but I am far more inclined to give Hopkins the benefit of the doubt here. I think it far more likely that Hopkins can command the distance and neutralize Kovalev's power to keep things on relatively even terms through the midway point. If he can manage this, which I believe he will, his chances for victory increase dramatically with each subsequent round in my eyes.
This thread is funny. A bunch of guys gushing over some scumbag who would not take the time to **** in their collective faces, if their hair were on fire.
Please tell me wich ones? B-Hop has fought quite a few Europeans and has only 1 loss and 1 draw out of those. One being a fight in wich he got dropped twice and was 'happy to get a draw from' (his own words) and the other is te big one against Slappy Joe, on wich the fans seem to be devided who won.
What European fighter didn he draw with? He has 2 draws, one with an Ecuadorian and one with a Haitian-Canadian.