The Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA plays host to the unification fight between “Krusher” Sergey Kovalev (25-0-1) and “The Alien” Bernard Hopkins.
WBA ‘Super’, IBF and WBO World titles on the line.
The writers of Ringnews24 give their prediction on the outcome.
Corey Gabriel Quincy
Bernard Hopkins is an all-time great; it would be ignorant to say that he will go down without a fight. With that said, I don’t know if he can handle the heavy-handed Kovalev’s onslaught for 12 rounds. I actually feel Hopkins’ craftiness could help him survive the distance, but he’s going to take some damage early on; too much to mount a comeback. He’s not going to get walked on, though – Hopkins will put on a good fight in probably inevitable defeat. Kovalev late TKO or points.
Bobby Mac
Bernard Hopkins to take his stink science to a new level. Kovalev is bigger, far more powerful, and well schooled by a legit world class trainer in John David Jackson. Look for Hopkins’ stink tricks, ring flops, and wails to the ref as he did against Joe Calzaghe, the Roy Jones rematch, and the first Chad Dawson fight. I expect Kovalev to prevail by whatever means the referee is forced to allow in the ring.
James Tonks
I am going against the majority and predicting a Hopkins win by a split decision. Hopkins has a wealth of experience and drags fighters into his way of fighting and does enough to steal rounds, which results in him getting points decisions against younger fighters. Kovalev has never been past seven rounds against a decent contender – I am looking forward to seeing what game plan he will have for Hopkins after the midway point in the fight. Hopkins by a split decision.
Ted Sares
Jean Pascal laid out the blueprint in their first fight when he almost mugged Hopkins early but then he let him off the hook and allowed him to find his rhythm. Kovalev is no Pascal and once he gets Hopkins buzzed, the end will quickly and mercifully come. I see the Krusher by early Krushing on this one. Says Pascal, Sergey Kovalev’s best chance against Bernard Hopkins is to catch him early…but if it goes past the fifth round, then Hopkins is going to win a decision.”
Michael Wilson
I’m going with the upset here and say that Bernard Hopkins will pull one out of the hat once again and defeat Kovalev by decision.
Jack Sumner
Putting a nearly 50-year-old man in with arguably the most devastating puncher in the sport sounds like a recipe for disaster, but Bernard Hopkins is not your average half-centurion and over the course of a remarkable career has continually overcome the odds to defeat younger, more powerful foes. With his particular brand of guile and ring intelligence, the Philadelphia native has been as effective as ever in his recent run at light-heavyweight and as good as Kovalev has looked, his opposition has been below-par at world-title level.
Having said that, I don’t think the Russian will be as easily discouraged as other Hopkins’ opponents and Bernard hasn’t fought anyone this dangerous at 175lbs. Combine that with Hopkins’ ever-advancing age and I see Kovalev’s power troubling “The Alien”, perhaps sending him to the canvas in the second half of the fight. Hopkins’ chin and experience will get him to the final bell but he’ll lose a close decision. Kovalev points.
George Jimenez
Every time I am asked to submit a prediction for any of Hopkins’ fights I can picture Hopkins standing on the ropes after his victory against Pavlik, staring defiantly at the media present who predicted not only that he would lose to the young bomber from Ohio, but that he would be brutally beaten and sent to retirement. Fast forward six years and Hopkins, although older, has not shown signs of slowing down and is getting ready to take on yet another young bomber. Can he possibly pull another “upset” at age 50? Or will he finally succumb to father time and be finally sent to retirement? This is a tricky prediction because I believe Hopkins’ style can pose problems for Kovalev. But will that be enough to keep a powerful puncher at bay? I say no. Although I believe that Hopkins will frustrate Kovalev at times during their 12-round fight, Kovalev will be the fighter coming forward, stalking his prey, and landing power punches. I believe a Knockout is unlikely, although not impossible, but in the end I believe Kovalev wins the fight via Unanimous Decision.
Rachel Aylett
I am very concerned for Hopkins in this fight. He has won his last few fights before even entering into the ring, with his ability to psych out and undermine the confidence of his opponents. There is no chance of that happening this time. Kovalev is every bit as fearsome as Golovkin, but for some reason hasn’t garnered the same plaudits. He is a fighter who enjoys hurting his opponents and I can honestly imagine him being the first to stop B-Hop. Hopkins has not scored an inside the distance win for over 10 years and he is not busy enough to outpoint Kovalev. Not sure how he expects to win. I am going with Hopkins’s experience to see him through to the final bell but Kovalev will win widely on points. I just hope that Bernard does not get badly hurt and/or embarrassed.
Rob Day
Bernard Hopkins has never been stopped as a professional, that’s 26 years without being counted out. At 49 years old it’s a wonder how he keeps on winning, let alone how he isn’t being knocked out. Skills, fitness, durability and ring smarts keep “The Alien” at the top and still fighting on the biggest stage.
You would probably need to go back to the 2008 victory over Kelly Pavlik to find a fighter who brought genuine power into the ring against Hopkins. That night Bernard took Kelly to school, winning a wide unanimous decision and the plaudits of the boxing world. Some draw a comparison between Sergey Kovalev and Kelly Pavlik, predicting Bernard to do a similar job on the Russian. I don’t hold that opinion; Kovalev is a lot fresher than Pavlik was, and Kelly had some well-documented problems away from the ring. It was these problems that cut his time at the top short.
In Sergey Kovalev, we have a fearsome puncher but he has a lot more to offer: His size, timing and punch accuracy is impressive. He hunts his opponents down and even the most elusive can’t stay away for too long. A series of crushing performances have gotten the fans excited and many wonder, whether he can do the same to the sly old fox Hopkins.
I for one believe that “Krusher” Kovalev can deliver another KO and the first of Hopkins’ glorious career. It won’t be easy and Sergey will be in for a tricky time but I can’t see Bernard Hopkins stopping the onrush of brutal blows, never mind winning the fight. Kovalev via KO.
Daniel Norris
Bernard Hopkins-Sergey Kovalev is one of the more interesting fights we’ve had in a while. Can Bernard Hopkins at 50 years old do it again? Or will Kovalev just steamroll his way past B-Hop? It’s going to be interesting and I can’t wait to find out. The way I see this fight going is early on it’ll be cagey. They’ll size each other up early on and be cautious. After three or four rounds I see Kovalev stepping up the pressure more, but smartly. Kovalev staying behind his long jab and giving Hopkins problems.
B-Hop’s only hope is throwing the signature right hand followed by a headbutt and then a clinch to frustrate Kovalev. The interesting part will be how will Kovalev react? Will he rabbit punch B-Hop? If he does, we could see Hopkins on the floor holding his head trying to the ref to take a point and maybe eventually DQ Kovalev. That’s Hopkins’ best chance at winning, for me. Right hand, headbutt, clinch, rinse wash and repeat.
However, I do think Kovalev is smart enough, long enough, and skilled enough to not fall into that trap and take a step back. All in all, I favour Kovalev. It’s not out of the question that Hopkins wins via decision or DQ, but I’m tipping Kovalev to win by unanimous decision; maybe even a late round stoppage, but it’s really tough to envision Hopkins getting beat up and stopped, but hey, he is 50, anything can happen. Kovalev UD
Lee Daley
With each passing year my confidence to pick Bernard Hopkins dwindles but the modern great fighter upsets the odds when we all least expect it and he shows no signs of slowing down, even at the age of 49. Hopkins will be turning 50 in January and it would be a milestone in his career if he pulled it off against the hard punching Sergey Kovalev.
The power of the Russian is much talked about and maybe for good reason. Even a jab or a straight right from the champion seems to hurt opponents, but he is yet to face somebody that will define his career and Hopkins fits that bill. Fighters like Darnell Boone have showed that Kovalev can be hit with unpredictable single shots. Hopkins is also notorious for clinches and Kovalev is not particularly dominant in those, which I think fighters need to be. Chad Dawson proved that. Hopkins has trouble beating boxers who are athletic in their style and Kovalev has shown hints of it, but he is mostly conventional.
I am picking Hopkins to take it on points but that hyped power from Kovalev will always be a concern. Hopkins
Victoria Villa
Kovalev will be dangerous in the early rounds but we haven’t seen Kovalev tested in the later rounds. I believe Hopkins will wear him down like he did with Pavlik and take him to deep waters. Kovalev has great power but Hopkins will not stand in front of him to brawl or get hit. I am picking Hopkins by decision.
Total: Hopkins 4 Kovalev 8
