Updated: Nov 7, 2014 8:46 pm
Bernard Hopkins (55-6-2, 32 KOs) faces Sergey Kovalev on Saturday night in Atlantic City. The American will be hoping to extend his record as the oldest champion in boxing history. Kovalev (25-0-1, 23 KOs) will be Hopkins’ 66th professional fight and he will be hoping to add the Russian’s WBO title to his WBA and IBF belts.
However, Sergey Kovalev will be no push over. He poses very dangerous threat to the American’s legacy. Kovalev stopped Welshman Nathan Cleverley in emphatic fashion recently. He knocked out Cleverly in four rounds to win the WBO title last year and the Russian will be Hopkins’ most dangerous challenger in more than a decade.
Hopkins is a veteran and has made a living out of these situations so it will be interesting to see who prevails in this fight.
Since turning professional Hopkins has notched up 55 victories and has lost just six times on points.
The “Alien” as Hopkins is known has been in the boxing game for 26 years and will be celebrating his 50th birthday on Jan 15.
“This isn’t about being an athlete, a boxer or whatever it is. This is something separate. Me as a man,” he said.
“I’ve been here since 1965. I have been special ever since. I still have the hunger to prove myself.
“I don’t mind putting my wits up against anyone’s wits today. When I step into the ring I am at war with everybody.”
Kovalev acknowledges this is a big fight for him. Not only that he also insists that this is a dangerous encounter for both fighters.
“All roads lead to this fight. This is a huge fight in my career and in my life,” said Kovalev.
“Bernard Hopkins is a legend. He is a professor of professional boxing. This fight is dangerous for me but this fight is also dangerous for him.”
Kovalev’s record of 23 knockouts in 25 fights speaks for itself, with only four of those opponents lasting more than four rounds.
“In the beginning of my career, I was ready to fight anywhere at anytime. No one knew me in America and I built my career from zero. I fought any place, any opponent.”
Kovalev, 31, has power that should be respected. Should Hopkins decide to ignore that threat it may be curtains for the Alien.
However, if Hopkins sticks to his game plan, he could pick him off and snatch victory on points.
Either way this will be an interesting fight!
