what flaws saw B-Hop in Kovalev that Stevenson doesn't have ?

i think adonis is more patient and quicker, kovalev is pretty much one note even though he is very skilled

 

Huh? The original plan was for Hopkins to fight Stevenson, so any speculation about Hopkins somehow choosing the 'easier' opponent or selecting Kovalev because he spotted exploitable flaws makes no sense.

Hopkins made the Kovalev fight because Haymon was deliberately stalling negotiations in the knowledge the BHops mando commitment was approaching.

In the end Hopkins would have been stripped of his WBA title if he didn't either take an essentially meaningless fight against WBA mando Najib Mohammedi or find another titlist to fight.

Since Haymon was holding out on a Stevenson fight thinking he had Hopkins over a barrell, BHops changed tack and with less than 2 days left, reached out to Duva and Kovalev.

Props to the Old Guy for refusing to play Haymons game and props to him for taking what most would now regard as the more dangerous opponent.

 

Yes this sums it up perfectly. Hopkins didn't choose Kovalev because he saw a flaw, he simply wanted to unify and Kovalev and Duva were the only ones willing to negotiate in goodwill.

 

Kovelev is not that athletic. He is a natural lanky guy and he doesn't add much weight at fightnight. Adonis adds more weight so it would be harder for Hopkins to wrestle him.

Kovalev is on his own against all US fight officials while Adonis would fight Hopkins in Canada. It is a major factor for Hopkins fight tactics. Officials should be on his side.

Adonis probably has a better one punch KO ability.

 

No network would show Hopkins make his mandatory defense against Mohammedi and BHop didn't want to get stripped.
Stevenson is safe and sound at Run-n-Hide Promotions.
Kovalev was willing to fight and HBO will broadcast it. That's what Hopkins "saw".

 

jakeoareee.....atsch

 

For me Kovalev always had the better chance against Hopkins. Stevenson is good at what he does (ie Southpaw counterpunching) but is essentially limited and over-reliant on the straight / OH left, deadly as it may be.

IMO Hopkins shuts down that left with little trouble - good as it is it's just too predictable and with that taken out of his arsenal I don't see much in Stevensons game to trouble Hopkins.

With Kovalev his mobility combined with a much wider punch selection and good use of combos potentially gives him a much better chance of landing something that Hopkins hasn't anticipated (the second round KD of Agnew where Kovalev throws a multi punch combo whilst closing distance and finally landing the left that drops Agnew from southpaw to get round the guard is a good example).

One thing I have noticed is that Kovalevs high volume combo punching as exhibited against Campillo and White seems to have fallen off somewhat in more recent fights - possibly seeking to be more economical with his energy - whilst he's become somewhat more choosy with picking his shots.

IMO it wouldn't hurt to return to the high volume punching against Hopkins, at least for some of the time (if he can, of course - BHops is notorious for limiting the output of his opponents) if he can manage it without compromising his stamina.

I still don't give Kovalev overwhelming odds of beating BHops, maybe 60 / 40, but I'd actually favour Hopkins over Stevenson by at least the same margin and probably wider.

 

I imagine Stevenson was advised that he didn't need to take a fight he might lose, Haymon has built a career on helping his boxers stay champions by avoiding the riskiest fights. So it was either Kovalev or some no-mark mandatory, Hopkins made the decision base on the almighty $.

 

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks Kovalev is more skilled than people make him out to be. :good

 

Historically, Hopkins has eaten stand-up robotic fighters for lunch. Ten years ago this fight would be a no-brainer. The question is if Hopkins has finally reached his expiration date.

 

He ain't fighting a stand-up robotic fighter tonight tho, is he?:roll:

 

This.