A night of fisticuffs will end in a blockbuster matchup between the ageless Bernard Hopkins going toe-to-toe with a dangerous knockout artist, Sergey Kovalev. Will age finally catch up to the 49-year old veteran? Or will he continue defying the odds?
Looking for more hard-hitting action? Check out our preview for the UFC Fight Night 55 main event between Luke Rockhold and the brash Michael Bisping.
Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins is an age-less wonder at 49 years of age. His deftness in the sweet science will again be put to the test when he goes against the skilled knockout artist Sergey Kovalev.
[sc:Other240banner ]Even at 49, Hopkins doesn’t appear to be slowing down. He is as elusive as pound-for-pound kingpin Floyd Mayweather Jr., despite his age. He also has surprising speed when he goes on the attack. Most recently, he outlanded Beibut Shumenov 186-124 in April en route to a split decision win. Hopkins also landed a career-high 247 punches in a unanimous decision victory against Karo Murat in October 2013.
The Alien was also able to outclass Kelly Pavlik, who fights a similar style as Sergey Kovalev, back in 2008. Hopkins landed a staggering 148 power punches and received only 55.
Hopkins is also as adept defensively as he has never lost by stoppage in his storied career. However, he has been knocked down, most recently in the first and third rounds of his first fight with Jean Pascal in December 2010, which resulted in a draw.
The rematch was a different story, though. In a stellar performance, Hopkins outlanded Pascal in every round after the second, capped off by a fight-high 53 punches in the 12th round. Pascal landed just six punches per round.
The 49-year old veteran also brings with him 65 fights worth of experience. He’s seen it all, and should be a stern challenge for the rising slugger in Kovalev.
Hopkins is on a three-fight win streak.
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Betting on Sergey Kovalev
Russian slugger Sergey Kovalev isn’t your prototypical brawler turned boxer. He had solid amateur experience earlier in his career, finishing with a record of 195-18.
Kovalev has savage power in both hands as his last 13 wins have all ended in knockout or technical knockout within seven rounds. He lands his punches with speed, accuracy and sheer force, while daring opponents to stand in the pocket and trade with him.
The skilled knockout artist won his WBO Light Heavyweight Championship from Nathan Cleverly in August 2013 by technical knockout in the fourth round, outlanding the former champ 66-11 in power punches. In his latest title defense, Kovalev dropped Blake Caparello with a nasty left hook to the liver in the second round of their August tilt. He didn’t ease off on his wounded foe as he hammered Caparello to two more knockdowns to earn the stoppage within 1:40 of the round.
However, the same aggressive approach may have Kovalev frustrated with Hopkins’ movement and elusiveness, leaving him open for counter strikes. The rising star hasn’t fought anyone with the name recognition or skill level as Hopkins, making this the biggest fight of his career.
Kovalev has a sparkling undefeated record of 25-0-1.
Writer’s Prediction
Bernard Hopkins (+210) frustrates Sergey Kovalev to a unanimous decision win.
