Kovalev looked nervous and since he ain't all that good at English he's gonna look shook/slow when trying to go at Bernard in a war of words. He was out of his comfort zone.
Kovalev's biggest flaw is that he can't fight backing up. He's predictable as fukk in that sense. You throw some shots at dude and he backs straight up getting caught flush or by the end of the punch. Agnew was able to land that way and Caparello even dropped him because of it. Sergey can only fight one way and that's coming forward. It's not like he's coming in with some high guard or moving his head. Dude just comes in with his hands semi low and wings heavy shots.
If Kovalev would have fought someone that could handle his power a bit and actually try an win instead of bytching up as soon as they get hit, then I would feel better about him destroying Hopkins.
I can't stand Hopkins and laugh hysterically anytime he loses, but I don't see him losing to a guy like Kovalev who has such an obvious flaw. nikka never even tries to counter punch.
Stevenson was definitely the harder fight for Hopkins. shyt just imagine if that was Superman's left hand that hit Krusher instead of Blakes.