Hopkins may be popular with some and many may appreciate his career, but he's not in a position now, IMO, to take on and be successful with the new breed. Trying to walk down, hit and spin Kovalev will not work any longer. Kovalev will score at least a split decision as the judges, etc. try to extend Hopkins career.
I don't see anything extra ordinary about Kovalev except his punching power. He will need more than that coupled with Hopkins suddenly feeling his biological age to win on points or via stoppage. If Hopkins comes to the fight in his usual Alien form, I think Kovalev will be in for a long, long night where he will fare as unfortunately as others before him at 175.
Prime Hopkins would have beaten Kovalev. Might be a rigged fight, hopkins takes a dive IMO. He's too old and payin back. They both seem too friendly towards eachother. If Hopkins is still there, he'll school Kovalev.
Kelly Pavlik and Felix Trinidad also had great power but they relied on that power to hurt their opponents ,Bernard Hopkins it to smart and too experienced to be in the line of tremendous fire like they had as well as Sergey Kovalev.
Bernard Hopkins primarily has problems with slick boxers ,hence his losses to Chad Dawson ,Jermaine Taylor and a prime Roy Jones Jr.
When Kovalev realize he can't land any clean hard punches on Hopkins and avoid his counters like he has all his other victims ,Kovalev will have a mental break down and give up in the middle part of the fight.
Bernard Hopkins by UD.
Hopkins has never knocked out. Kovalev has never met a fighter with a Philly chin like Hopkins. Hopkins by Decision.
Kovalev by TKO or Hopkins by SP
Hopkins will either get knocked out or try and win by disqualification.let's just hope it is a good ref and doesn't fall for Hopkins trickery
I believe Kovalev is too powerful for Hopkins. Kovalev doesn't even need to land cleanly and he can put you on the floor.
Hopkins will probably win the first 3-4 rounds or so but Once Kovalev warms up he's going to stop Hopkins.
the only thing I worry about is Hopkins' notoriously Illegal tactics. That can't be denied. Kovalev and his people need to stress this with the Referee before the fight.
The judiging will be a factor also. SK needs to win by KO.
