Bernard Hopkins was badly beaten by Sergey Kovalev, so Johnny Nelson hopes he will retire
He's achieved so much and broken so many records, what is left?
Tuesday 11 November 2014 12:13, UK
Bernard Hopkins was beaten in a one-sided showdown with Sergey Kovalev so Johnny Nelson would like that to be the end of the line...
I would love to see Bernard Hopkins call it a day, but I am not sure that will happen just yet.
Pace and power, youth and strength, all proved the big difference between him and Sergey Kovalev on Saturday night.
Kovalev was too smart to go chasing Hopkins. He did not come charging in looking for the big KO.
For all his wisdom and experience, Hopkins was totally outclassed.
Yes, watching him taking on a huge challenge, fighting the best light-heavyweight in the world at the age of almost 50, sums up what he has done and what he has achieved.
It evoked nostalgic memories but in the cold light, he looked old, he looked slow, and so much smaller than Kovalev.
I would like to see Hopkins retire but expect him to carry on. The fact that Kovalev suggested he should fight - and would beat - Adonis Stevenson next, will have already given him an idea.
Picked
Hopkins thought he could take on a younger, fitter and more ferocious puncher and draw him into his own gameplan, but it never happened. He barely got close, didn't win a single round.
Kovalev was too smart to go chasing Hopkins. He stood at the edge of his shots and while he was the only one landing, he popped from range and picked him off. He did not come charging in looking for the big KO.
The 49-year-old probably tried to change his gameplan by taking the centre of the ring but Kovalev was too big, too strong and far too dangerous for that to happen. Hopkins just looked smaller in every aspect and would have been bullied back onto the ropes, no problem at all.
I am glad he made it through the 12 rounds and his survival skills are still among the best in the game, but will he have to use them again, against another of the biggest names in the division? Well, you know Bernard will only take on another big challenge. Are there any left for him that he thinks he can win?
I hope not. But with Bernard Hopkins, I have a feeling we'll be saying this again...
