HBO Fight Preview

Bernard Hopkins vs. Sergey Kovalev

One of the most anticipated fights of the year will soon be upon us.  The number one light heavyweight in the world at the moment is Adonis Stevenson but he seems to be ducking the other top fighters in the division namely Bernard Hopkins and Sergey Kovalev.  So without the opportunity to fight the number one light heavyweight in the world Hopkins and Kovalev have decided to fight each other.  The winner of this fight will have a claim to being the best light heavyweight in the world and will certainly be gunning for Stevenson.  There is also a lot on the line for both Hopkins and Kovalev since this will be an IBF/WBA/WBO title unification fight.  

Hopkins is a master of the sweet science

At 49 years old its amazing that Hopkins is still fighting at such a high level.  It shouldn't come as much of a surprise however.  The longevity of Hopkins is due to his dedication outside the ring with the way he has kept himself in such great shape.  Along with that the way Hopkins fights has really allowed him to succeed as such an advanced age.  Hopkins has become a grand master of the sweet science and is certainly near the top of the list of the all-time greatest defensive fighters.  The orthodox Hopkins has a great job and a good straight right hand but he isn't a very busy fighter.  Instead Hopkins looks to counter and picks his spots which he is able to do because he is so adept at controlling the distance during a fight.  Hopkins can also still bring it to the body and whenever he fights there are always a lot of clinches.  He may not have the power he used to but his ability to frustrate his opponents while timing them perfectly has helped him keep winning.

When it comes to resumes not many are better than the one Hopkins has.  Throughout his long and historic career Hopkins has always fought the best available which is why at 49 years old he is fighting a man in Kovalev who most other fighters are running away from.  Hopkins has been in the ring with the likes of Roy Jones Jr., Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya, Jermain Taylor, Antonio Tarver, Ronald "Winky" Wright, Joe Calzaghe, and Kelly Pavlik among many others.  During his long career Hopkins has amassed a record of 55-6-2 with 32 knockouts and in 26 years has never been knocked out.  While Kovalev is certainly better than the last two opponents Hopkins has faced Hopkins has a long history of beating power punchers but there is also a long history of fighters getting very old over the course of a single fight and it usually starts with one power punch.  

Kovalev usually leaves his opponents in pain

Only a few years ago Kovalev was basically an unknown fighter to all except the most hardcore of boxing fans.  Then fans started to take notice of his incredible knockouts.  Kovalev is a very aggressive fighter who never takes a backwards step.  Kovalev is an orthodox puncher who is an offensive machine.  He has a good jab and a nice stiff straight right hand.  Kovalev is such a hard hitter that he has even knocked opponents out with his jab which he sticks to the body beautifully.  As dangerous as Kovalev's jab is it is his crooked punches that end fights.  His left hook is brutal but his best punch may be his right hand which seems to take years off opponent's lives.  

As good as Kovalev has been throughout his career he has never been in the ring with a defensive wizard like Hopkins.  Kovalev doesn't have any of the names that Hopkins does on his resume but he hasn't been around that long and it isn't easy to get high profile fights when no one wants to step in the ring with you.  As of now Kovalev has been an unbeaten fighter with a record of 25-0-1 and his lone draw came when his opponent couldn't continue after an accidental foul and the fight hadn't yet gone 4 rounds.  Out of Kovalev's 25 wins 23 of them have been by knockout.  While Kovalev doesn't have the experience of Hopkins he does have the power that can change a fight at any moment and may even have the power to rapidly age Hopkins over a single round.

The reason this fight has been so highly anticipated is because of the contrast of styles.  Hopkins is the defensive wizard who doesn't always look pretty while in the ring but who always seems to come out ahead while Kovalev is the relentless power puncher hungry for a big win.  Hopkins will need to control the distance in this fight so he can touch Kovalev up and then get inside and clinch before Kovalev can fire back.  Across the ring Kovalev will need to not get frustrated by all the veteran tactics of Hopkins and just keep coming forward and throwing heavy leather.  If Hopkins wins this fight he could easily ride off into the sunset as one of the best to ever lace the gloves up.  However if Kovalev wins he will have truly arrived at the top of the sport and will be one of the new faces of boxing.  This is the type of fight that gets big time boxing fans salivating.  

PREDICTION: Picking against Bernard Hopkins never seems like a good idea.  Hopkins has made a career out of upsetting the apple card especially when that fighter is younger and a power puncher.  However Hopkins is now 49 years old and at this point Sergey Kovalev will just be too powerful for him.  Hopkins may frustrate Kovalev early but Kovalev will stay the course and win the fight by the way of 10th round stoppage.

Luis Carlos Abregu vs. Sadam Ali

The co-feature on Saturday night features a fighter by the name of Luis Carlos Abregu who just may be one of the most underrated fighters in the sport.  Abregu usually brings the action and boxing fans hope that will be the case when he steps into the ring against the undefeated Sadam Ali.  This is a high profile card to be on and the exposure should do some very nice things for the winner of this 10 round welterweight bout.

Abregu has some serious pop on his punches

Abregu is the type of fighter who likes to mix it up which usually doesn't go well for his opponents considering he has such tremendous power.  The orthodox Abregu has a busy jab and a pretty solid straight right hand.  Also for someone who is known for his power he also moves around the ring very well.  Like many Argentine fighters Abregu will often throw punches from awkward angles, especially his uppercuts which seem to catch opponents off guard.  Abregu doesn't throw his left hook often but when he does throw it he usually does so viciously.  His money punch is awkward right hand which he throws often especially if he thinks he has his opponent hurt.

In the U.S. Abregu is still somewhat of an unknown commodity.  His highest profile fight came back in 2010 when he lost to Timothy Bradley.  Since that loss Abregu has gone 7-0 with 6 knockouts and has been running through opponents.  For his career Abregu has a record of 36-1 with a very strong 29 knockouts and if he were to beat Ali and look good doing so he could earn another high profile fight in the crowded welterweight division.

Ali has been perfect as a professional

Ali is also an orthodox fighter and he has a nice quick jab.  Along with his busy jab Ali has a very nice straight right hand and he will have the advantage in hand speed against Abregu.  Ali also likes to throw a left hook to the body but doesn't bring it upstairs all that often.  One thing Ali does that is dangerous is pull straight back on defense.  If Abregu times that movement he could catch him with an overhand right.  However the defense of Abregu isn't that great either which is why this could turn into a slugfest.

While Ali does have a perfect record of 18-0 with 11 knockouts he has never faced any top opponents.  However he is only 26 years old so clearly his management team has brought him along at a nice pace in order to keep his unbeaten record and step him up slowly.  There will be no hiding against Abregu and any questions about just how good Ali is should be answered on Saturday night.

This fight should be a very exciting one that has fans on their feet for as long as it lasts.  Both Abregu and Ali like to mix it up and neither one has high level defense which usually makes for a great nigh of boxing.  The welterweight division is one of the most stacked in the sport at this moment and whoever wins this fight should get themselves a higher profile fight the next time they step into the ring.  This fight may come down to the hand speed of Ali against the pressure and power of Abregu and fans should find out quickly if Ali is in over his head.

PREDICTION: Sadam Ali is a nice fighter who looks like he will have a nice future in the sport.  The future isn't now though and this fight will be a good one for Luis Carlos Abregu.  Abregu will be able to overwhelm the younger fighter the stop him in the 9th round.