Hopkins-Kovalev: Quick notes

Bernard Hopkins and Sergey Kovalev officially went face-to-face today for the first time since finalizing their unification bout for November 8th.  Some quick notes and thoughts for the upcoming super-fight:

·        Kovalev has started his training camp just a few days after his August 2^nd fight with Blake Caparrello, according to manager Egis Klimas.

·       The quick work of Caparello could pay huge dividends for Kovalev as he has thrown over one-hundred punches per round many times throughout his destruction of the division since the start of 2013. The one big question mark left about Kovalev is how his stamina will carry over into the later rounds, if necessary.

·        Kovalev has never had to make it past the 8^th round and with his high volume and variety of punches per round, it will be interesting to see how he trains for this bout and if John David Jackson is mentally preparing him to go the distance (or surpass the 8^th round)

·        Hopkins is riding a three fight win streak and in his last two fights against Karo Murat and Beibut Shumenov, he has shown a willingness to press the action and fight with a very fan-friendly style. It will be interesting to see what type of approach he takes against a such a devastating puncher like Kovalev

·        Hopkins knocked down Shumenov in the 11^th round of their unification bout in April. Shumenov has only been down one other time in his career against Vyacheslav Uzelkov. Hopkins "sneaky power” continues to be on full display and both boxers chins will be tested early and often.

·       The combination of possible styles and tactics for this fight are endless and fascinating. Will Hopkins look to spoil Kovalev’s first attempt at a unification bout with rough tactics? Or will the crafty veteran take him on the same way he took on Murat and Shumenov? Will Kovalev continue to throw one hundred punches per round or will he pace himself to potentially go into the later rounds? Could the criminally underrated boxing skills of Kovalev be the equalizer to Hopkins career long experience and success of negating the power of big punchers?

In two months time, the answers to these questions are likely to be answered. As for now, boxing fans can unite and praise the brilliant matchmaking of Golden Boy Promotions, Main Events, Egis Klimas, Bernard Hopkins, Sergey Kovalev and anybody else involved in finalizing this fantastic unification bout.