Sergey Kovalev vs. Light Heavyweights late 70's -early 80's.

I agree completely,...a draw would have been in order.

 

It was a hard fight to score and to me both guys came away as winners.

Kovalev showed he can handle master boxers and Ward despite being the smaller man and having little to no punch power was able to stand with Kovalev for 12 rounds and utilise every trick in the book to survive(and win according to some) especially after getting dropped in the 2nd round.

It also proves Kovalevs power is LEGIT. When you've dropped guys who are normally seen as undroppable like Hopkins, Pascal and Ward that means your packing serious fire power.

I cant wait for the rematch.

On paper this was the best fight since Mayweather Pacqiauo and I think it delivered.

 

The division was so much stronger back then.

Beating an ancient Hopkins and losing to Ward doesn't prove Kovalev could beat any of the guys on that list.

Who has Kovalev beaten that could box and had a big punch?

Hopkins was never a big hitter at 175 lbs and was way, way past his best.

Ward is not a natural 175 pounder and he wasn't run over by Kovalev, despite a lack of true power at 175 lbs.

 

Depends what mind set Kovalev shows up with. I certainly believe he has the boxing ability and the power (it is freakish) to compete with all of them.
However I believe he could of stopped Hopkins but he gave him too much respect even though he shut him out. I also believe he showed Ward too much respect although I had him clear winner.
So that's two fights now when faced with his biggest name opponent I feel Kovalev actually became too cautious despite boxing well. Yes I understand he never went past 8 when facing Hopkins and was pacing himself probably not knowing his own limits but I feel he should of pressed more and got Hopkins out of there and I feel the same way in Ward fight.
Either way he has performed very well against Hopkins, Ward, Pascal, Cleverly.
He would win most of the matchups listed and be competitive and a threat in all of them

 

He didn't loose to Ward in reality.

 

I certainly don't see him beating John Conteh.

 

I like Kov alot but am i ready to pick him against the likes of Saad Gregory Braxton ect.and thats just the late 70s early 80s guys. Not yet. I thought he beat Ward pretty clean. Yea Ward made it closer 2nd half but he didnt show me **** to b honest.

 

He didnt go for the kill vs Hopkins because he allegedly broke his hand.

Against Ward, the reason he showed respect was the sharp counters and body shots Ward was hitting him with on the way in. He obviously respected Wards power as did alot of other guys even though the general consensus is Ward 'cant punch'.

 

If Ward didn't show you anything what do you think was causing Kovalev to hesitate while coming in?

Was it Wards sharp counters perhaps?

 

Ward isn't a feather fisted guy, but nothing he landed marked Kovalev up or hurt him.

Perhaps Kovalev thought he was in the lead, and didn't need to fight recklessly. Most who saw the fight would call him correct. If Kovalev saw the scorecards say around round 8, he would have approached it differently.

Kovalev didn't land near his best, but he did mark up Ward quite a bit.

If Ward takes a re-match, look for Kovalev to go to the body earlier.

 

Sharp counters???? U mean holding and hitting lite punches to body. At long range Kov dominated. Maybe u were listening to Kellermans biased BS

 

Dont know what fight u were watching

 

Kellerman is clearly biased against Eastern European and Russian fighters.....I don't regard the putz highly at all.

 

Although he's a killer I actually do believe Kovalev is lacking a little heart and I feel his chin wouldn't hold up against a serious puncher.

 

Absolutly hate Kellerman at this point. Tolerable at first ( barley ) hate him now.
Man how i miss Tim Ryan and Gil Clancey