Bernard Hopkins vs. Sergey Kovalev: Winner, Scorecard and Analysis

It finally happened: Someone actually made Bernard Hopkins look his age. 

On Saturday night in Atlantic City, Sergey "Krusher" Kovalev dominated the 49-year-old Bernard "The Alien" Hopkins in a lopsided unanimous decision. ESPN's Dan Rafael has the final scorecards.

Kovalev took Hopkins' WBA and IBF light heavyweight titles in the process, unifying three-fourths of the world championships at 175 pounds. Kovalev held the WBO title coming in.

Kovalev immediately earned his respect from the legend with a hard right hand that put the future Hall of Famer on the canvas. Hopkins wasn't hurt, but it was clear that Kovalev would be different than the other 175-pound opponents The Alien had faced.

Hopkins has never been a risk taker, and he was even less inclined to extend himself after tasting the canvas.

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In the middle rounds, Hopkins looked to be searching for an answer to the rugged and quick Russian. Kovalev was too much for him, and Hopkins struggled to amount enough offense to get the nod in any rounds or to hurt his opponent.

He did manage to avoid most of Kovalev's crushing blows through the first 11 rounds, but he barely got the 31-year-old's attention with any of his shots. Per HBO Boxing, Kovalev's domination through seven rounds was apparent:

Things continued in this vein until the final round. Kovalev battered Hopkins throughout the 12th frame but couldn't finish him. Hopkins deserves credit for taking hard shots from a fighter known and feared for his explosive power.

He didn't run, grab or use questionable tactics, as has been Hopkins' MO in the past.

Kovalev looked to be quicker and more technically sound than Hopkins expected, and The Alien was overmatched in every way. When it was over, Hopkins was complimentary of Kovalev. Isaac Estrada of Real Boxing News provided a quote:

Kovalev was respectful of Hopkins as well, but he was blunt in his description of the one-sided action. Per Estrada, Kovalev said:

The big question on everyone's mind has to be whether this will be the last fight of Hopkins' legendary career. He was noncommittal after the bout:

Based on the way he looked Saturday, there are certainly a good number of light heavyweights he could still beat; WBC champion Adonis Stevenson may very well be one of them. However, it was very clear that Hopkins has no chance against Kovalev.

For a man of Hopkins' ilk to simply hang around with no chance at being regarded as the best seems silly. We'll have to wait and see what he decides, but he could walk away from the sport with his head held high, his pockets filled and his faculties still intact.

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As for Kovalev, the future is bright, even if it is a bit uncertain. The fight that makes the most sense is a bout with Stevenson, but that's clearly a complicated situation because of the rival cable networks. Kovalev is signed to HBO, and Stevenson to Showtime.

Saturday night's fight could have created hope that the sport's cold war might be coming to an end. Hopkins was signed with Golden Boy/Showtime, but he made the adjustments to get this fight with Kovalev.

If Stevenson doesn't follow Hopkins' lead, pickings could be slim for Kovalev.

With that fight difficult to make, Kovalev might have to look at challengers in the super middleweight division if he wants to find a major payday. A fight with Gennady Golovkin would be interesting, as would a fight against Andre Ward. Both are world-title holders and signed with HBO.

Whoever steps in the ring with Kovalev next better be ready to face one heck of a fighter.

Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.