Beterbiev.

Kovalev takes his belt, different levels

 

Koelling did nothing. He fought to last 12. High guard and no offense. He's the type who's hid out in Europe building a record, and belongs somewhere in the top 25ish, but nowhere near a sniff at a world title. It's tough to look good against a guy fighting to survive, but still, beterbiev could have and should have done more. His opponent was a heavy bag carrying little power/risk. Pitty pats to open the guard and throwing hooks around the guard was a decent plan to start with....but for 10 rounds? He should have dusted koelling earlier and helped himself by generating some actual interest in him and his possible future opponents. Obviously getting the win matters the most, getting the strap matters, but if that was the first time you ever saw artur fight would you walk away thinking this is the future "man" of the division? I always thought he belonged near the top, and still do, but he still comes off as stiff and lacking any layers/dimensions to his game. There's a small handful of tough matchups for him at 175.

 

Kovalev's confidence is finished. BetterBelieve takes away whatever is left.

 

i thought Jacobs had a similar issue with Arias last night, just a nasty person to fight that lacked engagement.

 

I only caught the last half of the fight but from what I saw it looked like he was fighting in an exhibition bout. The only conclusions I drew from it were that he either wanted to get some rounds in or he felt the need to ease up on his ferociousness in order to reduce the fear factor amongst the names at 175.

He wasn't putting anything on his punches and when Koelling looked like he was there for the taking, he'd pop a few light jabs instead and let him off the hook, that seemed to happen over and over again.

In the 12th he went from 1st to 2nd gear and KO'd him.

At least that's the way it looked to me. Granted I missed the first half so perhaps he made more of an effort to stop him early on and then eased up.

To be honest it felt comical, like watching a wolf pretending to be a sheep in order to get the chickens to come out of the coop.

 

He didn't... what you saw from the mid rounds until the 11th was the same as early. He carried him for 11 rounds.

If Kolling could punch I get it.. but he couldn't. I still think he's really really good.. and he gives anyone trouble.. but it was a very unimpressive showing.

 

To me it looked like Beterbiev was playing it safe and making sure not to make a dumb mistake or walk on to something. He knew he was in control and if his opponant had any ambition in the fight he would have to press forward and play into his hands. But Koelling didnt do that and it all turned out to be a little drab. Felt like Beterbiev could of picked up the pace and put the pressure on at any time. He did a bit in the last couple of rounds and it soons got stopped.

But i felt overall he just made sure he got the job done safely as he could on a big occasion for him. He certainly wasnt as agressive as ive seen him.

 

I bet he beats Kovalev. Watch!

 

I'm interested to see Kov comeback. We might get to see improvements to his game or the Ward shite might've done him mentally. One things for sure, hes better off without JDJ and Turner, terrible terrible situation that was he found himself in ! I hope he can do it. Beterbiev looks very strong but I think hes slightly getting overated on here

 

He's fit, got some rounds in last night, champion now... The momentum resumes..

Don't get me wrong, average opposition last night but he had his way with him.

Kovalev got his chin cracked by Ward & I'm not sure he will get over those 'losses'.. Love the guy & he was a fine champion for a few years, Bhop, Pascal, Chilemba, Clev... But I always have this reticence about fighters who've spent most of there careers with a trainer only to get another one late in the day. Hatton springs to mind.. I don't think in general they ever work out well with older fighters. I don't like the way he folded against Ward, low blows or not... Look at Loma Salido! Floyd Judah! I thought Sergey was a G! Had dog in him! He got beat in that second one, sorry.

Will be a great back story & a great style match up here... I'd like to see it & I'd pick Beterbiev via very late stoppage or SD.

 

I thought he looked very average. Good, dangerous fighter, but nothing special.

 

Kov surprised me in the rematch with Ward. I think his approach to it in training showed in the fight, totally unprofessional. Agreed about change of trainer late in a career but in this case it was a must I feel. Billy Graham was the one who molded Hatton to be what he was and what he was good at. Every trainer after that pulled a part what he was about, no matter who they were and how good they were. With Kov against Beterbiev, I think long range Kov was/is noticeably the best at 175, upclose is where i'd have concerns against Beterbiev. Interesting fight !

 

I'm getting that impression. Very strong and tough, but there to be outboxed