Photo by Naoki Fukada
After the Sergey Kovalev vs. Blake Caparello fight, a short confrontation was conducted between the American–Bernard Hopkins–and the Russian, Kovalev.
On the subject of facing Kovalev at such an old age, Hopkins was asked, “This may be the biggest feat you’ve ever pulled off, if you can do it. What makes you think you can still do it?”
Hopkins response was merely “I’m an alien.”
While fans appreciate the comical answer, I think it’s safe for us to come together in agreement that this statement is pretty darn false. With that being said, here are three tactics Hopkins should keep in mind for his upcoming bout that might actually help him get a win over his undefeated opponent.
3. Work His Classic First Six Rounds
Photo by Ken Goldfield/New York Daily News
It’s a slow, methodical and yes, even boring (very boring) tactic that Bernard Hopkins uses, but there is method to his madness. While boxing fans groan at the thought that the first half hour is essentially just jabs and dodging, Hopkins does this for precise reasons.
There’s a lot a fighter can learn about his opponent by carefully maneuvering them for six rounds. Flinching from feints, rolling, footwork and everything else are things that “The Executioner” takes in and analyzes, with the purpose of using all the tactics against them in the latter part of the fight.
In Hopkins’ earlier work in the 90’s, the boxer was more prone to end fights in the first few rounds, but we haven’t seen a KO or even TKO from Hopkins since his famous knockout against Oscar De La Hoya in 2004 that made fans remember why they loved him so much. Since then, every single fight he’s been in except one, has ended after a complete 12 rounds. Yeah, we all have mixed feelings on this.
In comparison, Sergey Kovalev seems to be the opposite. The guy has yet to even have a professional fight that lasts longer than eight rounds, the majority ending in KO’s in the first few rounds. On one hand, this is incredibly intimidating and impressive, but on the other hand, boxing critics are starting to wonder how Kovalev would hold up if he did have to go a full 12 rounds. Can he even do it?
If Hopkins can hold off “The Krusher” for the first half, it will be very interesting to see how Kovalev handles himself in the final rounds.
Hopkins needs to remember his age in this fight, and not become riled up in the hype. While “Alien” fans would all love to see the young spring in his step again, I just don’t see it as a good idea if he wants to walk out of the ring with another W.
Hopkins needs to work it slow, and work it smart.
2. Watch Out for Kovalev’s “Dirty Fighting”
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
As much credit as we give to the old man BHop and his 55-6-2, 32 KOs record, no one can deny he has a dirty fighting streak in him. From head butts to outrageous clinching, we’ve seen it all. And more surprisingly, we’ve seen him get away with all of it.
Most of his opponents don’t honor his style of fighting and refuse to get dirty with him, but we all saw who won the bouts between “The Alien” and Trinidad, Pavlik, De La Hoya, and the other 52 wins he has under his belt.
Sergey Kovalev expressed a different mindset with his famous quote concerning the topic.
“Anyway I need to get a victory, dirty fight or clean fight, for me, it doesn’t matter. I will fight dirty if Hopkins will fight dirty.”
This should put Hopkins on his toes a bit, considering that Kovalev isn’t afraid of his dirty ways, and will in fact, just fire up the fight if it comes to that. We could see a fight where Hopkins gets a taste of his own medicine.
Having a fighter like Kovalev announce that he’s down to play fowl with Hopkins sounds life threatening to me, and it’s something that has already crossed Hopkins’ mind as well. Hopkins is very aware of how dangerous his future opponent is, so it will be interesting to see how much he resorts back to his questionable tactics in the ring.
1. Work the Range
Photo by Wallace Barron
Sergey Kovalev has earned the reputation of a power puncher. The fighter is often seen blinding and pushing his opponents back with hard straights, forcing them to cover up before he lets out a wild ranged hook or overhand right to the head.
It’s these side blows that Bernard Hopkins needs to look for, and can be defended against with his range.
The American covers 75 inches, comparing to the Russian’s 72.5 inch range. Those extra 2.5 inches may be all that Hopkins needs to hold off the heavy blows.
Of course, by this point, Kovalev has mastered the art in his offensive strike, and he knows how to work against a larger range by merely stepping in to land those deadly punches. How else would he have worked the ring so well against guys like Blake Caparello, Nathan Cleverly and many others?
This isn’t “The Alien’s” first time around, though. If he can remember he has over two inches of play room, and not get frozen up in “The Krusher’s” straights, like so many others have fallen victim to, he may be able to manipulate the ring like he usually does.
A punch flying that fast and powerful, only to miss is gruesomely tiring, which is exactly what Hopkins needs to happen to Kovalev.
