Thought it would be a refreshing post from the many "he hit him low, no he didn't" posts. But I have to say, it doesn't seem like Kovalev has many options at this point. He probably won't get another fight with Ward, as they said the first 2 fights didn't do very well numbers-wise. He's 34 years old, pretty long in the tooth for a fighter. Stevenson isn't an option because of the history there, and I honestly don't think he'd be able to defend against that straight left anyway. He's done well against a lot of has-beens and never-was's, but when he's stepped up he's struggled. I do think he won the first Ward fight, but at the end of the day he didn't get the decision. I don't think he has a chance against Beterbiev, and that seems like a difficult fight to make as well. Are there really any viable options for him?
There's still Barrera, Smith Jr. Eleider Alvarez, Badou Jack There's plenty of options just no big money
The guy suffers his "1st loss" in the eyes of many and now he should retire? I don't think he looked great and he seems to be an old 34 but no he should not retire. If Ward moves up it frees up a lot of belts plus the WBC may rank him now for the mandatory at Stevenson. Or if he was drained at lH he could also try his hand at cruiser. Ward never draws so I knew this ppv would bomb and Kovalev coming off a loss won't be in another for awhile but an exciting ko puncher he still is, and he can still get decent paydays for hbo fights. Just a matter if his heart is still in the sport.
It'll be a very hard road back for the krusha, I wouldn't be surprised if he only fought once or twice more and called it a career. The results of both Ward fights have to be extremely discouraging. He was also making a pittance when he was champ and he'll make even less now.
This is my problem with boxing at times. The fans always praise the UFC fighters for how the "0" stigma doesn't really exist, but when one of the high profile fighters finally gets a loss, they say hes a washed up bum.
Oh Jesus Christ, knock it off. How'd you like having to come into a match knowing every odd humanly possible was stacked against you that even if you won decisively you still may lose, again. Know you have a ref that's on your opponents side, 3 judges on your opponents side, and even if you do win by KO, 9 times out of 10 since the promoters are former drug dealers and thugs, miraculously your post fight PED test will come back positive. That's the epitome of a stacked deck, Kovalev was disinterested and annoyed by this whole thing, and who could blame him, I'd lose interest too if I were in the ring with a guy rabbit punching, headbutting, holding, running and hitting me in the nuts, with a ref that won't penalize him. And on top of all of that you're getting shafted in the money department too, this whole thing from the negotiations all the way to the bull**** stoppage was rotten to the core. This was literally the definition of corrupt home cooking all the way around. When Kovalev doesn't have to deal with these soul crushing repulsive shysters, he'll get his mojo back and start krushing again.
If he can solve his stamina issues, then he can fight 2 more times. Otherwise, there's no point in continuing.
I agree with this. But in Krusher case it's a bit different primarily due to his age. As long as he can get decent fights like the winner of Barrera Snith Jr or Badou Jack then he will be good. What worries me is his gas tank. I saw him first gas during the Chilemba fight. That was 3 fights ago so after the time off until November I hope he stays in shape. I'm still team Kov all the way
Sergey Kovalev remains at the the very top of the LHW food chain. It is far too premature to just write him off as a major player in the division. I initially had him winning the first Ward fight 'closely', even though I thought that one could've gone either way (by a Round) to either guy upon subsequent viewings. It was competitive... and in hindsight, Kovalev forced Ward to adapt to things he hadn't dealt with in a while. Kov needs to make some changes to his team and recoup after the loss, but he is certainly not to be taken lightly by anyone going forward from this.
Lol!!! ^^^^^ What kind of idiotic post is this?? You HOPE he doesn't continue don't you? A few names for you to remember... Beterbiev, Gvozdyk and Bivol And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Sleep well!
LOL amazing isn't it now also all of a sudden he's never beaten anyone of note and gets blown away by POS Stevenson....