I might be wrong about Kovalev mental state, he is sounding more mature with everything he is saying. He was talking about Ward’s retirement and basically praising Wards business acumen and career choices. He said he would like to fight Ward again if possible, and he believes Ward would come back if a big fight arises He no longer sounds bitter about his fight against Ward, he sounds like he wants to address his bad habits and improve. Thoughts? Is Kovalev sounding renewed?
Maybe in 2018 he can but I think the fire in Kovalev is going out, and the talent on the way up is grade A.
I personally got him beating Gvozdyk and Bivol, the only guy I’m not sure about is Beterbiev. The guy hits awfully hard to the body which seems to be Kovalevs kryptonite.
Yeah definitely he won’t rule for years and personally I think if all the top guys mix it up, they will trade losses because styles make fights.
Yes, I also expected him to be broken by the Ward fights, but towards the end of last year he started saying all the right things and looked good vs (admittedly glass jawed) Shabranssky. He's got a few good fights in him left, but at his age he can't dominate again, besides the talent in the division is superb. Right now he can beat anyone and I'd favour him to beat all but Gvozdyk and Beterbiev. Gvozdyk: Kovalev has always said that this would be the toughest fight for him in the division, it'll be fought on the outside where Gvozdyk has both a height advantage and a large reach advantage. Besides, they are good friends, they don't want to fight each other, and if they did the younger Gvozdyk would need the win more - I suspect Kovalev wouldn't have the same desire in that fight. Beterbiev: This fight is a more realistic possibility in 2018, and Kovalev would certainly be fired up as he doesn't like Beterbiev. It would feel like redemption for him if he could stop Beterbiev at the age of 35. Can he take Beterbiev's body attack, or consistently catch him coming in? I don't know but a year or two ago I would definitely have favoured Kovalev. Maybe he's got that one big performance left if he fights Beterbiev.
Great points. I think Kovalev would win the battle of a the jabs against Gvozdyk, they are quite similar except Kovalev seems to be a more proven puncher so far and has fought the better opposition so far. Gvozdyk does throw a lot of shots though but he does look like he may not take a big punch too well. I would edge to Kovalev if the fight was this year. In regards to Beterbiev that is a tough fight for Kovalev it all depends on how much of a chin Beterbiev has, if he can get on the inside consistently he will take Kovalev out no doubt. Kovalev is old but he’s not taken much punishment he’s only been hurt seriously in fight and he has been active for the last few years, I don’t think he is aged in terms of wars and lack of activity but I guess he speed will be comprised at some point.
I am hopeful he can come back again if he stays in this good frame of mind and stays focussed and discaplined in training camps. Some real scary opposition out there these days.
That's a great post. I'm glad Kovalev learned from the Ward II debacle. Real fighters grow after a loss. Unfortunately, the flipside is that the wiser, more mature Krusher is also an older one with more mileage, in a division filled with beasts looking to make their own mark. Hes fighting on borrowed time. It'd be years later than we all wanted, but we might be getting closer for the timing of Stevenson-Kovalev to make sense for both sides.
I think mentally he's in a good place by the soundbites on the scene. I still think he's the best 175lber at this time.
I still think Kovalev is the best LHW, I don't think anyone beats him (Beterbiev has a good chance being the physical monster he is, and whether people wanna admit it or not, Adonis is quick and powerful enough to clip and detonate him as well). I'd still have Kovalev as the favorite against either though. I think he potentially runs everyone else in the division over. Ward is Ward and those fights didn't diminish him IMO
Good points. Yes, I think most realize that Stevenson is a good fighter, he probably has the best straight left in the world. It's just very annoying for us fans to see him handpicking weak opposition all the time so most of us cheer against him and criticize him. But in truth, he's a good fighter and will probably beat Jack IMHO, although I hope not. I'd also add Gvozdyk to the tough fight list there for reasons in my earlier post. I'm very high on Gvozdyk as well btw, but you probably already knew that. Not everyone rates him and that's fine, one way or the other will be proven at some point.
Can't argue with much that's already been said. I will say that his rocky relationship with Jackson was poison to his career. New trainer seems like a wise move.
Kovalev 2.0 can absolutely take back the crown. He is a changed man with a renewed focus, looked in great nick mowing down Shabranskky. Other than Gvozdyk (who I favour slightly), as Kiwiman already mentioned, probably never fights Sergey anyway, I favour Kovalev 2.0 over everyone else at 175. It is a ridonkulously stacked division though. If we get half of the fights we want over the course of the next 2-3 years I wouldn't expect any one of Kov 2.0, Gvozdyk, Bivol, Jack, Beterbiev, Stevenson or whoever else (Yarde?) to remain unbeaten.
If by body you mean nut sack then yes, anyone who applies wax to Serge's jewels and tears it off has a great chance of defeating him.
I agree. That left detonating on anyones jaw properly and they are in a world of trouble. Best straight left in boxing !
