Bernard Hopkins vs. Sergey Kovalev Results: HBO Boxing Play-by-Play

Undercard Results

Heavyweight prospect Vyacheslav Glazkov improved to 19-0-1 with 12 KOs when he took out journeyman Darnell Wilson at the end of the seventh. "Czar" dominated Wilson (25-18-3, 21 KOs) from the start and though he never knocked his opponent down, he inflicted enough damage over the rounds to warrant the stoppage.

Philadelphia's Eric "Outlaw" Hunter scored a sixth round stoppage over Daniel Ramirez to bolster his pro ledger to 19-4 (10). After flooring the Los Angelino with a slick left hook, Hunter swarmed his woozy junior lightweight foe until the referee stopped it. The official time of the TKO came at 1:23 of the sixth. Ramierz fell to 11-2 (5).

Light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera was awarded with a TKO over four rounds were complete by pummeling Rowland Bryant. Barrera, who hails from Miami, scored a knockdown in the second and proceeded to batter Bryant from then on. The win allows Barrera to rise to 14-0 with his ninth career knockout. Bryant, from Altamonte Springs, FL, dipped to 18-4 with 12 KOs.

Russian light heavyweight Andrey Sirotkin went the distance for the first time in his young professional career, but he still dominated his opponent nevertheless. Sirotkin dropped Michael Mitchell, from Patterson, NJ, in the fourth and went on to win the sixth round unanimous decision via tallies of 60-53 and 59-54 (twice). Sirotkin now stands at 5-0 with 4 KOs.

In what was the first bout of the evening, junior welterweight Ryan Martin was too much for Isais Gonzalez to handle as he took him out in the second frame. Martin, who hails from Chattanooga, TN, felled his foe once in the first two rounds apiece before finally ending it moments later in the second. Martin improved to 9-0 with his fifth career knockout while Gonzalez, from Tucson, AZ, dipped to 17-4 with 12 KOs.

Light heavyweight contender Nadjib Mohammedi was sensational in destroying Demetrius Walker in the opening round. Mohammedi, a highly-ranked challenger from France, dropped the Kansas City, Mizz, fighter twice before being counted out at the 2:16 mark. Mohammedi, now 37-3 with 22 KOs, was looking to make a statement in hopes of landing a shot against Bernard Hopkins and he did. Walker has zero chance of surviving once Mohammedi tagged him cleanly. The Frenchman is now Hopkins' mandatory challenger to his IBF title.

Sadam Ali vs. Luis Carlos Abregu

Round 1

The two welterweights square off in the center of the ring where Ali quickly takes a step back and looks to counter. Ali flicks out his left jab a few times, but he’s too far away. Neither man has really opened up a minute in as they are still feeling each other out. Ali jabs to the face and then tosses two glancing hooks to the body. Abregu grazes him with a left hook. Abregu goes to the body twice after landing a left jab. The crowd is already booing for some reason. Ali is very tentative, looking to counter but seems cautious of the Argentinean’s power. Ali pops him with a straight right hand. Ali throws two more jabs at the bell, eliciting a roar of boos from the crowd. 10-9 Ali.

Round 2

Ali is moving side-to-side very well; he lands two shots to the gut. Abregu hasn’t let his hands go too much early on, though he just misses a massive left hook. Ali comes up with a hybrid left hook/uppercut, though he hits only air. Abregu tags his opponent with a right hand after eating a glancing left/right. The two trade jabs to the body. Ali jabs well, and then follows it up with a right hand. Ali is still punching from too far out, missing most of his punches. Ali misses a right hand and is cracked by a short counter left hook late, but the Brooklyn boxer shakes it off. 10-9 Ali.

Round 3

Sweeping left hook by Abregu misses its mark. Ali is moving well, but he’s still reluctant to let his hands go. Ali opens up with a lurching left hook, but the Argentinean blocks it. Ali’s movement is still giving Abregu problems. Ali has such a speed advantage, but he’s not active enough for the crowd, who is booing in earnest again. Abregu goes low with a right hand, but misses the follow-up left. Ali digs a left to the body and then avoids a big left hand on his way out. Abregu ducks too low, which allows a loopy overhand right to land behind the ear, buckling his knees. Abregu retreats and motions to referee Harvey Dock that he was hit illegally, but the third man scoffs at him. He’s recovered and misses a left hand after absorbing another shot to the ribs. 10-9 Ali.

Round 4

Abregu is stalking his foe down but he’s reaching for his jabs and hooks, badly missing often. Ali is coasting already, moving away and flicking out the jab. Ali lands a nice right/left but there is no power behind it. Abregu lunges in and walks into a left hook, but he’s undeterred. Ali throws a lead right hand that snaps Abregu’s head back. Abregu ducks under a right hand and delivers a beautiful left hand, but Ali took it extremely well. Ali pops the jab again and again and then the two trade three-punch combos. None of the punches land, of course. Very close round. 10-9 Ali.

Round 5

Abregu charges after him and tags him with a right hand, but it’s a glancing blow. Ali is moving well, avoiding the danger. Jab-jab-jab from the 2008 US Olympian. Ali opens up a four-punch combo, punctuated by a left hook. Abregu walks through it and tries to rip his head off, but his left hand badly misses. Ali moves in and out, jabbing to the head and body. Abregu is still keeping his cool, even though he can’t get inside and land his trademark bombs. They open up viciously with 15 seconds left, but they smother each other’s offense. 10-9 Ali.

Round 6

The crowd is dead silent at the start of the second half of the bout. Ali simply moves side-to-side and backward, thwarting any offense from Abregu. Hard left hand by Ali backs up Abregu but he’s not hurt. Per the norm, Ali moves away, looking to counter. Huge right cross floors Abregu. It’s clean on the jaw and he slowly falls to his knees. He’s up at the count of five and he is trouble. When the fight resumes, Abregu quickly backs off, looking to clear his head. Ali is now the stalker and lands another right hand. Ali goes to the head and body again, wobbling Abregu. The Argentinean is still wobbly at the bell. 10-8 Ali.

Round 7

Abregu is still woozy going in and he’s tagged by a three-punch combo to the head. Hard right hand almost floors Abregu again, but he stays afloat. Ali is more aggressive and lands a left hook, buckling Abregu’s knees again. Abregu still can’t clear his head, but he’s throwing left hands. Abregu goes to the body, but Ali returns the fire with two shots upstairs. Nice left jab by Abregu. Ali is backing away again as Abregu has cleared his head. Nice right/left by Ali near the bell. 10-9 Ali.

Round 8

Abregu comes forward to start the round but he walks right into a nice left hook. Abregu shakes it off and runs after Ali, who is backing away. As he backs up, the Brooklyn kid pops him with a slick uppercut. Right hand by Abregu but Ali comes right back. Abregu connects with a powerful left hook, but Ali shakes it off and answers with a right of his own. Abregu throws a lunging right hand and pays for it with a left/right to the mouth. Abregu is fighting desperately now, chasing after Ali. Ali is starting to look tired now and is backing away again. 10-9 Ali.

Round 9

Abregu storms out of his corner, right at his foe. Abregu tags Ali with a left and then swarms him when Ali lowers himself in the ropes. Abregu opens up, but Ali uncorks a massive left hand, buckling Abregu’s knees. Ali rushes after him, but Abregu quickly clears his head. Ali backs away, sets up the counter and cracks him with another left hook. Abregu is hurt badly and backs away. He’s trying to punch but his legs are gone. Right hand stuns Abregu, who then stumbles back and eventually onto his knees. Abregu is up quickly but he is in terrible shape. Harvey lets him go and Ali is all over him. Several punches bounce off Abregu’s dome, forcing Dock to finally cease the mugging. Huge stoppage for Ali.

The Official Result

Sadam Ali Def. Luis Carlos Abregu TKO (Referee Stoppage) 1:54 R10

Bernard Hopkins vs. Sergey Kovalev

Round 1

Kovalev is the first to throw; a passive, pawing jab. Hopkins goes to the body. Hopkins cautiously backs away, looking to size up his Russian foe. Kovalev is also passive, looking for the time to strike. Hopkins’ back touches the ropes and when he lunges in, Kovalev secures his neck until David Fields separates them. Kovalev jabs to the body. Hopkins lunges out of the crouch with a left hook, but Kovalev counters with a perfect right cross, dropping Hopkins. “The alien” gets up quickly and doesn’t seem to be hurt. Hopkins fires a right hand, which misses. They trade blows, but Hopkins sneaks out the back door. Along the ropes, Kovalev tags him with the right hand again, and then another. Hopkins doesn’t appear hurt and survives the round. 10-8 Kovalev.

Round 2

Hopkins fires off a straight left and then a right. Kovalev blocks the punches and fires off a left hand on the inside. Hopkins charges at him and forces a slugfest. It’s getting nasty already, with a few clinches and shoves. Hard left jab to the body by Kovalev. Hopkins backs away and appears a bit mystified. Hopkins slowly moves to his right, looking to counter. B-Hop opens up with a left hook, but Kovalev takes it well. Hopkins sticks a nice left jab in the Russian’s face. Hopkins misses with a left hook. Hard right to the ribs by Kovalev. Kovalev connects with another powerful right hand, but Hopkins takes it well. Hopkins goes to the triple jab, but they all miss. 10-9 Kovalev.

Round 3

According to CompuBox, Hopkins landed a total of six punches in the first two rounds. Kovalev comes out patiently and lands a hard shot to the body. They clinch and then Hopkins shoves Kovalev to the canvas. Fields barely even warns Hopkins. After it resumes, Kovalev lands a nice right hand but Hopkins returns fire with a hard left hook. Kovalev takes it but clearly got his attention. Kovalev lands a jab and a right hand, but Hopkins shakes it off and pops him with a right. Kovalev jabs to the body again. They trade blows to the head. Hopkins escapes out the side but Kovalev tags him with another hard right hand. Hopkins might be stunned and rushes out the side door again. 10-9 Kovalev.

Round 4

Hopkins paws with the left jab, but Kovalev sneaks a right hook under the ribs. Kovalev sticks the American with a hard left jab to the gut. Kovalev opens up with some hard right hands, but Hopkins blocks them all. Kovalev sticks a left jab in front of a right hand, and that got Hopkins’ attention. Hopkins backs away and regroups. Double right to the face by the Russian, but Hopkins answers with a hard left hook on the jaw. Kovalev goes downstairs again. Hopkins is boxing well and moving nicely, but he’s not letting his hands go. Kovalev jabs to the body at the bell. 10-9 Kovalev.

Round 5

Kovalev starts the round with hard jabs to the body and head. Hopkins is in his shell, but doesn’t return fire. Kovalev looks for the left hook – doubles it up – but they are blocked. Hopkins is backing away, looking to counter, but Kovalev isn’t giving him any openings. Hard right hand by Hopkins, but Kovalev walks right through it. They trade blows on the inside but Kovalev tags him with a right. Hopkins looks shaken up a bit, but he charges forth with lefts and rights. Kovalev is very calm and lands two short right hands until the action stops. Good action but Kovalev is in total control. 10-9 Kovalev.

Round 6

“Krusher” stalks Hopkins out of the gate. 30 seconds in, Kovalev pops him with an overhand right. Another along the ropes. Hopkins is shaken up but he escapes. Hopkins clears his head and sticks a jab out there. Hopkins looks flustered and for the first time in his career, he looks old. Hopkins is trying his best, but he’s a few steps too slow. Kovalev lands more shots to body and head. 10-9 Kovalev.

Round 7

Kovalev again goes to the body but misses a right upstairs. Hopkins moves back and to the side, but he can’t get his punches off. They each miss big right hands. Big right hand by Hopkins. A second nasty right hand causes the Russian to stumble back; Hopkins’ best punch of the fight. Nice left jab by Hopkins, who suddenly has come back to life. Kovalev grazes the champ with a right hand. Hopkins comes inside, but Kovalev grabs the neck until they break. Hopkins just misses with a right hand at the bell. 10-9 Hopkins.

Round 8

Lead right hand by Kovalev starts the round. 25 seconds later, Kovalev lands another right hand but Hopkins shakes it off. “The Alien” is backing away again, looking for an opening but Kovalev isn’t giving him one. A big overhand right lands cleanly on Hopkin’s face, forcing him to stumble across the ring. He is hurt but he stays on his feet. Kovalev charges in, but Hopkins covers up and regroups. His head is already cleared and Hopkins digs a left hook to the body. Hopkins comes forward with a right hand that lands cleanly, but Kovalev shrugs it off. 10-9 Kovalev.

Round 9

Hard right hand again by Kovalev ten seconds in but Hopkins takes it well. Kovalev doesn’t follow up on that punch, though, allowing Hopkins to answer with a right of his own. Hopkins is backing away as usual, but he’s not letting his hands go at all. Kovalev jabs to the body. Bernard goes upstairs with the right hand. It’s clean but Kovalev doesn’t even blink. Again the Russian jabs to the body. The boos birds make an appearance just as Kovalev connects with two right hands. At the bell, Kovalev delivers a left hook after the right hand. 10-9 Kovalev.

Round 10

Very little action in the first 30 seconds of the tenth until Hopkins pops him with a jab. There appears to be a small mouse developing under Kovalev’s right eye. Kovalev is setting up the right behind the jab, but Hopkins is simply in a defensive shell along the ropes. Hard right hand by Hopkins behind the jab buckles Kovalev’s knees. Hopkins goes after him but Kovalev answers with a right of his own. They trade blows along the ropes with Hopkins connecting again with the right. The Russian answers with a harder right cross, that stops Hopkins’ attacks. Kovalev lands a sinister left hook just before the bell. Hopkins’ best round in a while but he still loses it. 10-9 Kovalev.

Round 11

Hopkins opens the round with a left hook, but Kovalev returns the favor with a short right cross on the inside. Triple jab to the face by Kovalev. Kovalev looks like he’s gunning for the right hand only, which leaves very little action inside the ring. Hopkins backs away again and again, not letting his hands go. With a minute left, the boos are scattered for the lack of action. Kovalev tags him with a right hand counter over the left hook but it’s not terribly hard. Hard right uppercut to the gut by Kovalev late. 10-9 Kovalev.

Round 12

Without question, Bernard Hopkins needs a knockout to win the fight. His corner is telling him that he needs to put him down. Kovalev comes out with a right/left/right but Hopkins blocks and counters with a right/left. Short left hook rocks Kovalev, who stumbles away and almost down. Hopkins comes after him, looking for the knockout. Kovalev regroups and slugs away, but Hopkins blocks them all. Hopkins misses a huge right cross by mere inches. Kovalev’s head is clear now, halfway through. Kovalev storms back with a right hand that appears to hurt him. Hopkins grins, saying it didn’t but his legs say otherwise. Kovalev connects with a huge right hand, but Hopkins stays up. With a minute left, Hopkins needs that miracle. Huge straight right by Kovalev. Another. Hopkins is in the corner, eating punches. Kovalev lands another massive right hand with seven seconds left that wobbles the American again. They go toe-to-toe briefly but Kovalev cracks him cleanly again. The bell sounds, ending the fight as Hopkins is grinning from ear to ear. 10-9 Kovalev.

The Official Result

Sergey Kovalev Def. Bernard Hopkins Decision (Unanimous) [120-107, 120-107, 120-106] R12 3:00