Bernard Hopkins can only be described as an ageless wonder.

At the age of 49, when most boxers are retired from competing in the squared circle, Hopkins is still going strong as he prepares to defend his International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Association (IBA) light heavyweight championship against current World Boxing Organization (WBO) Sergey Kovalev in a unification bout taking place at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ this Saturday night.

"He is not only the oldest boxing champion, he is the oldest [champion] in any sport," said Hopkin's trainer Naazim Richardson. "We can't even reduce him to boxing anymore; he's no longer just ours."

The list of opponents that have fallen before Hopkins (55-6-2 record with two no-contests) in his illustrious 26-year career is a who's who list of world-class boxers. The list includes Antonio Tarver, Kelly Pavlik, Winky Wright, Roy Jones Jr., Joe Calzaghe, Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad -- the last three recently inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame this summer.

"There's no pressure on me, but one thing that is on Bernard Hopkins, that no other fighter really has to do deal with because they've never been in my situation, is how I continue to keep making history," said Hopkins. "Come [Saturday] on HBO, you get to watch artwork. You're watching Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong with gloves on."

While Kovalev, 25-0-1 in his career, may not have anywhere near as good a resume as Hopkins, he brings tremendous power to the ring Saturday night, having won 25 of his fights by knock-out. Kovalev, who goes by the nickname of "Krusher," is a lethal puncher who has won his last nine bouts by KO and whose 88.5 percent knockout ratio is only second to middleweight titlist Gennady Golovkin.

"Kovalev is a monster. He's a beast. He punches harder than Hercules," said Richardson.

Despite the difference in age and Hopkins' track record against some of the best in the game, Kovalev is certainly not underestimating his opponent by any stretch.

"Fifty is just a number," said Kovalev. "I think nothing of his age. If he was old, he would be retired, but he's still in there. He's not an old man. He's a young alien."

At this late stage in his career, Hopkins could have avoided this fight altogether, considering his Russian opponent's reputation as a destroyer. But slowing down and running away from challengers is just not in his nature despite just months from turning 50 years old, and the reputation the 31-year-old Russian mauler brings to the table.

"I want the best," said Hopkins. "[Marvin] Hagler fought the best. Ray Leonard fought the best. The [Muhammad] Alis of the world, they fought the best. I'm from the era where I fought the best and that's important to me."

Predictions

Boxing is a sport where one can literally age overnight and Kovalev has the ability to do what no one has been able to do: knock out Hopkins.

Kovalev is a heavy-handed puncher who may pull off the impossible if he can manage to land blows and hurt Hopkins.

But with all-universe defensive capabilities in Hopkins' arsenal that have frustrated legends and Hall of Famers, can Kovalev stay patient enough to land the shots he needs to lay a world of hurt on Hopkins? And considering Kovalev's longest fight lasted eight rounds, can he go 12 rounds against Hopkins -- a man who has out-of-this world, freakish stamina that puts fighters half his age to shame?

The answer is no. Hopkins will unify the titles in a 12-round decision.

TV Schedule, How to Watch

"HBO World Championship Boxing: Bernard Hopkins vs Sergey Kovalev" broadcasts live at 10:45 p.m. EDT Saturday night on HBO.