Didnt see the fight and havent seen Kovalev fight, but I know Cleverley is easy to hit so it doesnt surprise me that an upcoming big puncher wiped hm out. He had no fights to prepare for anything like this, I think he was fighting opponents at his level, dangerous fight got found out, move on or out!
It was hinted at that Kovalev had a bad chin and bad stamina. So what did they do, stand and get jabbed and punched around by Kovalev. Cleverly was not on Kovalev's level and so did not under-perform. Kovalev looked better than normal, he showed a great jab, speed etc. Even before he landed that big punch, he was in so much control. I was thinking whilst watching, will Kovalev just box and win. Then like all his other fights,in the third round he steps up the considerable gears he has. He must have draining, sickening power in both fists.
Both exactly the same as I thought before. I really did hope Nathan would stay on his bike for six or seven rounds though. First two rounds went ok and who knows how Kovalev's cut would have progressed, who knows how Kovalev's stamina really is? We all know how Clev can't resist trading but with Kovalev?! I didn't think he was that stupid. I don't think he'll ever learn.
Cleverly didn't really stand and trade, he just got walked down and battered and there was nothing he could do about it. Forget tactics, game plan, mentality etc, what we saw was simply what happens when two fighters on totally different levels meet in the ring, the fight was a total mismatch, the gulf in class was huge and Cleverly was a lamb to slaughter no matter what he tried to do.
Sadly, boxers have such an embarrassing career trajectory that only time will tell. I'm sure everyone has an opinion. Some will think he looks devastating, others **** but the reality is his record tells us a little but not enough. The same is true of Cleverlys. Some fighters can go a whole career and you never really know what level a fighter is. Boxing has almost completely lost the sporting competition element and it's about making **** match ups to con fans.
a bit of amir khan in clev's style on saturday.... could have been a UD win.... like the maidana khan fight.... but too bad he didn't want to use his movement and keep out of range.... something khan always forgets too
Kovalev is still extremely underrated..........................he will beat all the other champions and knock Ward out, but Ward has already refused an offer to fight Kovalev.
After having only viewed Youtube videos of Kovelev i did believe Clev would come through this win a pts decision.. However upon entering the ring and witnessing the size difference between both men i knew Clev had little chance.....It was a case of Man Vs Boy.
I'd been a fan of Clev since waaay back, but I still called it for Kovalev by KO, though I thought it'd be a little later in the fight, around rounds 8-10. You see, even though I knew Nathan has great punch resistance unfortunately there hasn't been any real improvement for Clev for the last 3 years, he hasn't been through anything in the ring to really improve his experience or mental toughness, no work of any real note to his boxing skills and no thought given to top-level defence. I think is probably down to Vince not being up it or having too much influence on Powells input and Nathan's over-confidence breeding complacency. If you keep putting a guy in with bums who you're telling him are world level fighters then you will breed over-confidence in him though so again, poor management from his team. Everything I saw from the fights I watched Kov in showed me he was no hype job. I just couldn't see Clev lasting to the end with this guy, from his efficient and solid footwork, to controling distance fantasically, straight into 4th gear from the 1st bell with bombs but all with such composure. Also had about 200 amateur fights to Nathan's 30-odd I think so much more experience too. Clev looked shocked from the first punch, never seen him scared to throw his hands before but there was the proof that Kov has real hurtful power. You saw Cornelius White react the exact same way in Kov's last fight. Gameplan went out of the window and he realised just how long each 3 minutes was gonna be. I will be watching Sergey's next fight, that's for damn sure!
I think this is bang on the money. Clverly is actually a decent fighter with good ring iq. Kovalev is all that but with devastating power.