[Rooster]

Is he just all out of fucks to give?

The man has made tons of money. He's good for the rest of his life and the last couple years of his career have been about legacy, not money. But he's choosing the more dangerous and less lucrative fight of the two everyone wants to see him in. Is it a good move? Personally I think he has more of a chance with Stevenson, plus there's the bigger payday and the lineal belt. Regardless, Hopkins is a G.

Article at badlefthook

 

[Them Bones]

That was the exact same thing i thought when i heard him calling out Kovalev, does he see something we don't?!
Betting against B-Hop has bitten me in the ass in recent fights, but i can't see him pulling this off, surely not!
B-Hop is a G tho, that part i won't question.

 

[Cableaddict]

Does he see something we don't?

Yeah, a big fat PPV check.



It might actually be a really interesting fight. BHop would obviously be in survival mode, and Kovalev, as great a stalker as he is, would have to dig deep to catch him.



Best case scenario: Kovalev does catch him, sends him into retirement, and forces a showdown with Kentucky Fried Stevenson.

Worst case scenario: Bhop dances for 12 rounds, and has the judges in the bag, gets a robbery decision & give Stevenson an excuse to never face the Russian.

 

[tliang1000]

money or he feeling suicidal. I guess he wants one last big payday before hanging it up.

 

[bjl12]

BHop's legacy will grow exponentially with time. What he's doing...it defies just about all logic. Floyd, Manny, Cotto, Sergio...these guys can't even make it to 40 without looking significantly worse. BHop is just shining man, shining. And he's fighting top guys in his division: Dawson (was champ when BHop fought him), Pascal, Ibrumov (however you say it), etc.

BHop definite G - respect

 

[thehook13]

money or he feeling suicidal. I guess he wants one last big payday before hanging it up.

Dat avatar. :yep

 

[Cableaddict]

Dat avatar. :yep

She could snap your neck with those legs ......

 

[thehook13]

BTW Hopkins calling out Kovalev is too much. But Hopkins has proved us wrong in the past, many times. Respect for Bernard is right up there but I'm still not enthusiastic on a man his age fighting world champs.

 

[Rooster]

Unless Kovalev is packing glass or has a half-gallon tank, I just can't see Hopkins pulling this off. Kovalev is a better boxer than Murat or Shumenov with insane power. At 50, I don't think Hopkins can avoid a finishing punch for 12 rounds. The only thing I can see that Hopkins can exploit, is Kovalev doesn't have an especially high activity rate and is open to be hit. But Hopkins will need to discourage and hurt Kovalev, and dictate the pace (which to be fair he is a master at). But I can't see Kovalev not landing something devastating at some point.

 

[Savagekat]

Don't worry guys. B-Hop's got this. He will turn back the clock yet again in another vintage performance. Maybe that's wishful thinking, but fuck it. I'll take Hopkins in this one because I will never be caught underestimating that crafty bastard again. A Hopkins victory really does not seem out of the realm of possibility to me at all and I definitely will not be shocked if he pulls it off. It will be exciting to see if he can, particularly because the prospect of a Stevenson match-up will be that much more savory if he does.

 

[Bogotazo]

I think so. He said it would be easier than Pavlik. It's the plodding, I think he believes his movement and defense will win the day for him.

 

[sugarshane_24]

I think so. He said it would be easier than Pavlik. It's the plodding, I think he believes his movement and defense will win the day for him.

My only concern his body betraying him at the wrong moment.

 

[Bogotazo]

My only concern his body betraying him at the wrong moment.

A very valid concern IMO. The risk is higher now more than ever. He can't play on the ropes either.

 

[Kurushi]

I picked Hopkins over Cloud, Murat and Shumenov but Kovalev is a step too far. This won't end well for The Alien.

 

[Chatty]

Imagine how legendary BHop would be if he beat Kovalev and Stevenson at his age and unified the division.

Not that he needs anymore respect but you gotta give BHop props, the guy don't know any limits and is making sure he gets every ounce out of his career.

 

[JamieC]

So is he willing to go to HBO?

 

[Nyanners :sad5]

Dawson being smashed by Adonis was the best thing that ever happened to Hopkins. Time is ticking against him as usual but beating Stevenson and Kovalev are not without the realms of possibility.

And fuck, where does that even put Hopkins? He's already a HOFer with an amazing tale. That could potentially put him as the best fighter of this generation ahead of Mayweather, Pacquiao and Jones.

 

[JamieC]

Dawson being smashed by Adonis was the best thing that ever happened to Hopkins. Time is ticking against him as usual but beating Stevenson and Kovalev are not without the realms of possibility.

And fuck, where does that even put Hopkins? He's already a HOFer with an amazing tale. That could potentially put him as the best fighter of this generation ahead of Mayweather, Pacquiao and Jones.

Agree but i think Kovalev is the tougher prospect out of the two. If I was him I would go for Stevenson, it's one I'd think he'd win and is easier to make, I think the TV issues would stop Kov happening, dependent on if BHop is tied to Showtime

 

[Nyanners :sad5]

Agree but i think Kovalev is the tougher prospect out of the two. If I was him I would go for Stevenson, it's one I'd think he'd win and is easier to make, I think the TV issues would stop Kov happening, dependent on if BHop is tied to Showtime

I can't really seperate Adonis/Kovalev. I wouldn't disagree, but marketing wise Adonis is the bigger fight and arguably has operated at a higher level. I'd agree Kovalev is more dangerous though, especially regarding Adonis' recent performances.

 

[JamieC]

I can't really seperate Adonis/Kovalev. I wouldn't disagree, but marketing wise Adonis is the bigger fight and arguably has operated at a higher level. I'd agree Kovalev is more dangerous though, especially regarding Adonis' recent performances.

For me, Adonis is more one-dimensional so a bit easier to BHop to deal with and as you say would be a bigger fight financially, I would have thought he'd chase that as well as Adonis has the belt