Sergey Kovalev says all his problems have been self-inflicted

After the first quarter of the fight Krusher became a character in a story that Ward was writing....the adjustment was made and Kovalev did not look like the man in control. This certainly doesn’t mean Kovalev didn’t win some rounds in between but Ward made it an uncomfortable situation in there.

 

Kovalev is a fantastic boxer, but I think his preparation is what lets him down.

Here's to hoping that he sorts himself out.

 

Good for the Krusher! If Kovalev returns as 80% of his former self, I'd take him over Beterbiev.

 

I'd like to think I do. I've scored for Canelo plenty of times but the card favouring him was criminal IMO which overshadowed the stupidity of the draw.

 

I do not live in America. However with Mayweather retiring the US needed a p4p champ and Ward fitted the bill despite not being a draw. Only an idiot denies he's a real talent and so as the most talented American out there with a number of high quality wins under his belt he shouldered the burden of being the face of US boxing for a bit.

I genuinely believe that if American boxing had been in a better place that Kovalev would of been granted a comfortable decision and as a man I think Kovalev is pretty much a POS.

I also didn't have Canelo Golovkin close but thought it would be scored that way.

 

Well in an attempt to provide you with proper perspective Ward is simply looked at as a 2.0 version of Hopkins in America, he’s an acquired taste with a bit more star potential due to his Olympic background.

A bewildered, desperate and baffled Kovalev was never going to comfortably decision Ward because once taken out of his preferred wheelhouse he becomes much more predictable and in general he’s a subpar infighter. Kovalev is a master technician and a hellacious puncher when boxing in range well within his comfort zone, take away his comfort zone and his effectiveness is drastically reduced.

 

We don't need Kovalev 2.0

We just need Kovalev 1.0 back

This era's fab four are damn scary beasts

 

The many accusations of racism don't sit well with me and his conduct towards Pascal unnecessary. He was far more respectful of Cleverly and his idiot dad despite plenty of provocation. Now whilst he's not the worst on the dick who happens to be good at boxing scale - step forward Adonis Stevenson - he's certainly not the type of dude I find it easy to wish success on.

For me non-PC is someone like Hatton, sure he might say the wrong thing on occasion but fundamentally you think his heart is in the right place. I don't feel that way about Kovalev.

 

I agree the dude was raised differently and to assume he’s a POS because he doesn’t fit your cookie cutter definition of a good God fearing man doesn’t mean he’s uncaring villain.

 

I think the key difference is Hopkins was operating in an era that also had RJJ, Holyfield, Mosley, Toney, ODLH and a whole bunch of others which meant he wasn't as important in the flag waving stakes. Whereas Ward during Kovalev 1 was pretty much the only credible standard bearer.

 

Don’t get me wrong I’m sure Kovalev and his family aren’t going to invite me over for dinner anytime soon and I’m sure he’s developed a not so positive outlook of other ethic groups but it’s hard for me place judgment on his overall character since I don’t know him personally.

 

I would love to see him hit his stride again..

 

I can only judge him on what I've seen and that doesn't look great. Could be wrong, I certainly have been before but I'm just keen to point out that a Kovalev win wasn't a preferred outcome for me.

 

You likely grew up in a more tolerant setting when compared to Kovalev your interactions and surroundings were more multicultural. Kovalevs experience is likely made up of distorted media propaganda and sensationalized views of anything and anybody not part of the USSR ecosystem.

I try desperately to only judge fighters based on what they offer in the ring however when I see a person digressing as a human and partaking in prejudice and racism on a consistent basis with impunity then and only then does any excuse of ignorance become unacceptable. I’m probably the minority here simply based on the way I grew up surrounded by all walks of life....persecution was more of a socio economic issue since my immediate family had people with Nordic features and sub-Saharan features and everything in between.