Is Kovalev now the man to beat at light heavyweight?

If he KOs Shabransky, yes. Up in the air right now.

 

Not if he is serious about training himself.

 

Now the dominant guy is gone...we will have an exciting time working out who is the next guy to take top spot.

I pick Beterbiev to come out on top.

 

What? Kovalev is training himself now? What a moron.
I would've said yes Kovalev and perhaps Adonis are still the men to beat at LHW
but if he's training himself then no, Adonis stands alone

 

Kovalev on Ward's Retirement: Good for Boxing, Fans & Division!
“If it’s 100-percent true, it’s good for the boxing,” Kovalev said. “You know, because it’s good for the boxing. We’re ready to fight again for these titles and it makes interesting fights between great fighters. Right now, in our division [there are] a lot of good and strong fighters who wants to get these titles, you know? And this will be very, very good fights for the boxing fans.”

 

For me Gvozdyk, followed by Beterbiev. If Kovalev dispatches Shabransky in style he gets back in contention.

 

Stevenson

 

2 straight loses hell no. Technically Stevenson is still the man.

 

Technically and on paper yes, but to be honest whoever emerges top out of the other contenders (Beterbiev, Gvozdyk, Bivol, Jack, Alvarez, Barrera, etc.) will soon be the man to beat.

 

Stevenson is a hen sitting on an egg. He's not the man of **** until he decides to face someone decent again. Kovalev showed more form against Ward than Stevenson has in his entire career.

 

I agree Stevenson has held the title hostage long enough.

 

So ... Wilder just paid Stiverne step-aside money to face Ortiz instead.

The equivalent would be Stevenson paying Alvarez step-aside money to face someone like Beterbiev.

Yeah, I'm dreaming lol

 

This. I know Ward made a killing from his Roc Nation contract in the Kovalev fights, so I don't blame him for retiring rich. However, I always thought Stevenson was a more dangerous opponent than Kovalev.

For now Stevenson is top dog, but at his age he won't be for long.

 

I'd consider Alvarez/Stevenson a treat considering his recent track record. But yeah, certainly would object that lol.