Hopkins vs. Kovalev: Live Round-by-Round Results and Highlights

Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev put the brakes on Bernard Hopkins’ historic run on Saturday night in Atlantic City, New Jersey, winning all 12 rounds to capture a unanimous decision in a light heavyweight unification fight.

Scores were 120-107, 120-107 and 120-106 for Kovalev, who adds the IBF and WBA Light Heavyweight Championships to his WBO belt.

Kovalev (26-0-1, 23 KO) set the tone in the opening round, backing Hopkins up to the ropes and dropping him with a counter right hand that landed over a jab.

It wasn’t the first time Hopkins had been down in his professional career, but it was one of the most dramatic, and it’s ramifications could be seen throughout the remainder of the contest.

Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 KO) has never been known as a high-volume puncher, but it seemed as though his first taste of Kovalev’s power made him reluctant to mount much in the way of offense.

With his longtime friend and trainer Naazim Richardson imploring him in the corner to let his hands go more, Hopkins survived round after round by ducking, dodging and weaving around most of Kovalev’s bombs but giving very little in the way of resistance.

Knowing he was well behind entering the final round, Hopkins finally let his hands go a bit and received a hellacious beating in return from his younger, stronger foe, somehow reaching the final bell.

In post-fight comments, the Alien was gracious in defeat but remained mum about his future plans, describing it as 50-50 whether or not he’d press on with his career as he approaches his 50th birthday in January.