Sillakh is going to surprise a lot of people

I wanted to watch Sillakh's last fight before I commented on some things and I finally got around to watching it. Against Grachev, Silk fought very loosey-goosey--which served him for the most part but ultimately was the cause of his demise. He kind of had a half-hearted jab in that fight, and didn't throw it with much conviction. He also held his hands way too low throughout the duration of that fight and that's what got him TKO'd. Grachev basically timed him when he had his hands down--which he had been trying to do the whole fight.

Silkah fights very tall. And he did so against Grachev. Problem with that is, in that fight, he would back straight up with his hands down and you simply do not do that when you're as tall as he is. As well as he moved in that fight, he still fought kind of careless. Maybe he took it for granted, who knows.

In his last fight, he punched with much more conviction, so I have no idea what Astor is talking about when he says Silk has lost his aggressiveness. That simply is not true. He was not really on his toes against Piternov and he threw the jab and all of his punches with much more conviction. I'm not sure which style would suit him best against Kovalev, but there are some things that Silk cannot do against Kovalev if he wants to win.

He can't sit in front of him and just throw the jab and not expect a counter off a single jab. If Silk is going to throw a single jab, then he needs to make sure he's slipping to his left when he throws it every time. He can stay in front of Kovalev if he throws a 1-2 and comes forward to either tie up or slip out towards his left. But standing in front of Kovalev with how tall Silk likes to fight and with how low he keeps each hand is a recipe for disaster. Kovalev likes to throw that right hand and he's good at throwing it from different angles.

But I really don't think boxing on his toes or standing more flat footed will matter. It's going to be some other things that Silk will have to do to win this fight. Getting Kovalev's respect early with a stiff jab is key. And I think he needs to be first. If Kov is allowed to be as aggressive as he likes to be, it could be a short night for Silky. Silk is extremely talented, but he does have some bad habits that Kovalev can capitalize on. It's the best fight that 175 has to offer as far as I'm concerned.

 

Maybe for some, but Sillakh is a very dangerous fighter and could well have been the one defending a title himself had it not been for the Grachev loss.

Having a tough fight with Sillakh in no way makes Kovalev a worse fighter and FWIW I would certainly pick him over BHop right now though probably not Ward.

Expose isn't really the right word though (unless you're just trying to irritate fans), Kovalev has already shown himself to be a very good fighter - if some guys choose to blow his trumpet a bit loud you shouldn't let it trouble you. Campillo, Cleverly and even (just) White were top ten fighters and he just walked through them in a series of brutal TKOs - that's gotta be worth something.

 

sillakh gets knocked out in a few rounds.

 

Pretty good analysis^

Silky Smooth Sillakh - it fits - like it.:good

Yeah, I've noticed Sillakh seems to have tightened his defense, have his hands up a lot more and was jabbing with plenty of conviction. Looked good against Piternov.

I've gotta say though that his defense is still a bit leaky, there's a point in the Williams fight where he gets caught and his legs just go; he's lucky Williams wasn't quick enough to capitalise.

What I'm not sure of is how he'll respond to Kovalevs brand of pressure. I'm expecting a really close fought fight, but I've just a feeling that Kovalev may take him badly off his game with heavy early offense. Generally Sillakh has been able to dictate pace and range with his excellent movement and jab, but I think he may just have a hard time with Kovalev coming at him early and fast as he's usually a fairly patient and methodical starter.

Anyways has the makings of a superb fight, with just a hint (to my mind) that Sillakh struggles early and gets put away quickly.

Intrestingly it almost looks like Sillakh was ready to go up to cruiser but I read an article yesterday saying that Sillakh was originally contacted by Kovalev back in June by 'Kovalevs people' (I assume either ME or Klimas) but that it was shelved when the Cleverly offer came in. I'm guessing that's why Ismail started moving back down in weight after fighting Mitch Williams (where he looked fine, though a touch slower) at a career high 196lbs.

Busy year for Silk btw 5 fights - I've a sneaky suspiscion that he may move back up to cruiser if he loses (especially if he loses badly) though.

 

As curious as everyone is with how Sillakh will react to being hit by Kovalev, I am equally as curious as to how Kovalev reacts to being hit cleanly by Sillakh. It's not like Silk is a feather-fisted fighter. It's a hugely intriguing matchup--two big guys who can bang and box.

 

Some tastey odds for both Bellew and Sillakh.

Done Bellew and Sillakh £5 double @ 45/1 = £230

Going to put another £1 double Bellew and Sillakh both round 9 @ 8180/1

Both are live underdogs.

Sillakh is 100/1 in every round for the KO!

 

That's good stuff.

 

Yeah - Kovalev rarely seems to be on the receiving end and hasn't recently been in with a heavy puncher. Boone of course is known for the KDs (when he can land) and put Kovalev down in their first fight.

Sillakh also has his pointpoint bodyshots which have earned him a good number of KDs and KOs and could potentially take Kovalev outta his comfort zone (and onto the canvas) - by his own account Golovkin dropped Sergei with a bodyshot whilst sparring.

 

Hmm...sounds like Bookie time.:good

 

That's interesting.

 

This.

Stupid threads like this pop up with people trying to make out they called it first.

Kovalev and Stevenson are both winning via T/KO.

 

Yeah it's on the Kovalboxer site in one of his interviews, he didn't seem particularly happy being asked about it (it had been rumoured previously) but does acknowledge the event. Not that it necessarily means a huge amount but Sillakhs laserlike drills to the body are something special so you never know.

 

Stupid thread? Calling this a mismatch is stupid. To act like Sillakh doesn't have a shot is stupid. He is the most skilled guy Kovalev will have fought.

 

Sillakh could outbox Kovalev here and even possibly take him out in the later rounds, but I can see Kovalev going after him from the opening bell and taking him out by round 4 or 5. I think Kovalev will just be too much for Sillakh. Then bring on Stevenson, Kovalev batters him too! War Krusher!

 

What has Sillkah done, as a professional to indicate that he will have a chance against Kovalev?

He has fought a bunch of unknowns and been stopped by one. Kovalev has proven himself and him and Stevenson by KO will be going on my accumulator and I'm very confident that is safe money.