Sergey Kovalev

Kovalev Grounds “The Alien”

Kovalev Grounds “The Alien”

All that Remains is a Win vs. Stevenson to Unify the Light Heavyweight Division

By Justin Jones and Paul “Paparazzi” Jones | Photo © Paul “Paparazzi” Jones – Atlantic City, NJ – Many questioned whether WBO champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (26-0-1, 23 KOs) could defeat future Boxing Hall of Famer and former WBA/IBF champ Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 KOs) in a Light Heavyweight unification bout. People pointed to Kovalev’s limited competition, the lack of a signature win, and a sizeable gap in experience between the two.

continue

Hopkins vs Kovalev: Keys to Victory, Four to Explore, Official Prediction!

1-HopkinsKovalevWeighIn_HoganphotosIn only a few hours, fight fans around the world will get a chance to see potential history as the legendary Bernard Hopkins (55-6-2, 32KOs) takes on the very dangerous Sergey Kovalev (25-0, 23KOs). Few in the sport have stepped up to take such a challenge. Weeks away from age 50, one warrior took the bout without flinching. For Kovalev, a resume short on credibility has led to many questions. Most which will be answered by the final bell. As we prepare for this showdown, we’ll take a look at “Keys to Victory”, “Four to Explore”, and an “Official Prediction”:

BERNARD HOPKINS – KEYS TO VICTORY

For Hopkins, this is a very dangerous fight. Rarely has ever been hit flush, but it’s even more rare to see him hit often. Kovalev has been trained to attack without fear. Hopkins wasn’t able to get in his head with pre-fight antics, but fans can expect that to change in the ring. Hopkins is known for setting traps and frustrating an opponent early with clinches and a cunning defense. He will need to bait Kovalev and get him to open up, taking that opportunity to countershot with precision punches, mainly his patented lead right hand. This will make Kovalev hesitant to fire. If Hopkins can frustrate Kovalev early, the entire dynamics of the fight changes, and Hopkins can cruise to victory.

continue

Bernard Hopkins – pushing the limits and defying the odds in challenging Sergey Kovalev

Bernard Hopkins – pushing the limits and defying the odds in challenging Sergey Kovalev

Hopkins has crammed himself into a tight spot and eve his most optimistic fans will hardly be at ease on Saturday night. This should be a simple fight from strategic point of view and a straightforward game plan for both boxers. The clash of styles is almost a stereotype and you can’t really surprise Hopkins with a move unless you put him down and you won’t make Kovalev hesitate unless you take his best shots and remain on your feet.

Hopkins prides himself in his mental game and “secret service” approach in studying his opponent’s intimate personal traits and sniffing out weaknesses. Knowing every dirty trick in the book and blindsiding referees could work when he is evenly matched and needs to unsettle an opponent. Antics and tricks aside, there is no gimmick against functional speed and ambidextrous power.

continue

Hopkins – Kovalev: Hollywood Couldn’t Write it

Hopkins - Kovalev: Hollywood Couldn’t Write it

@FKSportsBlog – The moment it was announced the Bernard Hopkins would face Sergey Kovalev on November 8th at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, my first thought was that of trepidation for the oldest world champion in boxing history, 2 weeks shy of his 50th birthday. That’s the knee jerk reaction, which must have been experienced by almost every boxing fan and professional to such a perverse match-up when looked at with conventional logic.

Make no mistake; Bernard Hopkins 55-6-2 (32 KO’s) is taking on a challenge measurable against any feat attempted in boxing history. This is a 49-year-old man, who has not registered a knockout in 10 years (Hopkins KO’d Oscar De Hoya at the MGM Grand Las Vegas in 2004), faced with Kovalev 25-0-1 (23 KO’s) the most ferocious puncher in the world of boxing. (With the possible exception of Gennady Golovkin)

continue

Bernard Hopkins vs. Sergey Kovalev Predictions

Bernard Hopkins vs. Sergey Kovalev Predictions

Story by: By Robert Uzzell and Chip Mitchell – On Saturday night, WBA Super World light heavyweight and IBF World light heavyweight champion Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins (55-6-2, 32 KOs) squares off with WBO World light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (25-0-1, 23 KOs). The Old Man versus the Krusher. The Alien vs. The Predator.

This fight has intrigued so many people, whether it is boxing fans or media, casual channel flipper or crossover observer. The media seems to be split right down the middle on who wins. So many people have an opinion about this fight. Here are two more opinions for your money.

continue

Hopkins vs. Kovalev: The legend of longevity versus the Krusher

Hopkins vs. Kovalev: The legend of longevity versus the Krusher

Once again in a major fight, Bernard Hopkins will be the underdog entering the ring against Sergey Kovalev, live from the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey on HBO. The Krusher is known for being amongst the top power punchers in boxing. The question remains whether Kovalev has enough savvy to deliver that firepower. Will Bhop shun the critics and oddsmakers yet again?

At 49 years old most of us in the general public have full schedules that keep us occupied. Whether busy with work demands or family oriented/personal activities. Odds are your not training for a professional prizefight at the highest level in the sport, one that involves real physical damage and is mentally challenging as any.

continue

The Old Man vs The Killer – The Greatest Fight in History

The Old Man vs The Killer - The Greatest Fight in History

Around the age of 50, there are a few things expected of men. Forgoing jeans and being permanently embedded in trousers? Probably. Switching to un-pasteurised milk? Maybe.

But fighting someone that is 18 years younger and also a legitimate killer? Hardly. Very few men approaching that age fight anything other than male erectile dysfunction. However, very few men are anything like Bernard Hopkins.
And that is why he is doing just that. The oldest boxing champion in history, 49 year old (50 in January) Bernard Hopkins, is fighting one of the scariest men to ever step in a ring, in Russian knockout artist Sergey Kovalev. The two will compete for the title of undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the world on November 8th, in Atlantic City.

continue

Kovalev Brings Pressure and Power; Hopkins will Conduct & Inflict or Breakdown and Fail

Kovalev Brings Pressure and Power; Hopkins will Conduct & Inflict or Breakdown and Fail

This saturday at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, N.J., maestro Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins 55- 6-2 (32KO) will attempt to conduct a clinic highlighting his knowledge, experience, good judgement and discipline. No other boxer in history has successfully accomplished what he has. He is the consummate artist. Only weeks away from his 50th birthday, in exemplary fashion, he will climb into the ring with the “Krusher”, Sergey Kovalev 25-0-1 (23KO). At 31 the Russian is still a whippersnapper to Hopkins.

Hopkins, the Alien, sees things differently than most. When fans, and a few boxing experts, look at Krusher, they see a tough, determined fighter, who is ready to flatten anyone who stands in his way. So far he has been able to live up to his nickname by knocking the stuffing out of 23 of his 26 opponents. Not a bad percentage, just a couple of points shy of Gennady Golovkin’s 90%,

continue

The Rodney Dangerfield of Boxing: Bernard Hopkins aka Bhop

The Rodney Dangerfield of Boxing: Bernard Hopkins aka Bhop

Rodney Dangerfield made the catchphrase “I don’t get no respect” famous. Bernard Hopkins must be thinking the same.

This coming weekend Bhop goes up against hard hitting WBO Lt. Heavyweight Champion Sergey Kovalev, which is an intriguing matchup. Can the hard hitting Kovalev catch Bhop and make him pay or will Bhop once again figure out how to win? The predictions are pretty much 50/50. There are those that think Bhop can’t keep betting against Father time and win, but truth be told we have seen him do this time and time again and there lies my pet peeve. Dislike him for his antics outside the ring and his ranting and sometimes ill advised comments (I will never let a white boy beat me), but please give this man credit for his accomplishments inside the ring. Only that alone is cause to give him benefit of the doubt. At 48 he is taking on the most dangerous guy in the division hands down, something Stevenson didn’t do. Bhop has ducked no one. Some other self proclaimed ATG can take a page from his book.

continue

Hopkins: I have 10 weapons to Kovalev’s one bomb

Hopkins: I have 10 weapons to Kovalev’s one bomb

IBF/WBA light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins (55-6-2, 32 KOs) respects the power that WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (25-0-1, 23 KOs) will be bringing to their fight this Saturday night on HBO Championship Boxing at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. However, Hopkins feels that he’s got more ways to beat Kovalev than he does.

Hopkins figures that all he needs to do is nullify Kovalev’s power and he’ll have the fight won. That’s obviously going to be a lot easier said than done, because Kovalev is going to be on top of Hopkins for the full 12 rounds looking to blast him out with each shot. If Kovalev does fade in the later rounds, it likely won’t be unless the 8th or 9th. By then, he’ll have hit Hopkins with a lot of really hard head and body shots, and that might take a lot of the fight out of the aging 49-year-old.

continue