Bernard Hopkins vs Sergey Kovalev Highlights

Bernard Hopkins vs. Sergey Kovalev Highlights. 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. 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:

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