Now that Kovalev looks finished, just how good was he?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by lufcrazy, Aug 5, 2018.


How do we remember the career of Kovalev

  1. A great (top ten divisional history) fighter

    26 vote(s)
    31.7%

  2. A not great (outside of top ten divisional history) fighter

    56 vote(s)
    68.3%
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  1. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    Was his career that of a great fighter who proved himself? Or was it that of a great fighter who never really proved himself or was he just not great to begin with?

    Up until last night I kinda had the belief he's one of the best ten LHW fighters we've ever seen on film, now I'm just not so sure.

    I don't think the first fight with Ward was a robbery, but I did score it for Kovalev. I don't buy the controversy with the rematch either, I think Ward I'd just better than he.

    But the loss last night has me rethinking. Either Alvarez is also better than Kovalev or Kovalev is old and past his best now. If it's the former than unless we're gonna consider Alvarez a top ten LHW of all time we surely can't bestow that upon Kovalev. If it's the latter then surely we've now seen the best of him and it's all downhill from here.

    Campillo, White, Cleverly, Caparello, Hopkins, Pascal, Chilemba and a close fight with Ward. Is that enough to say that yes he did prove himself?

    I don't usually post threads in the general but this is a current issue so thought I'd give it a pip.
     
    lufcrazy, Aug 5, 2018
    lufcrazy, Aug 5, 2018
    #1
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  2. HerolGee

    HerolGee Loyal Member banned Full Member

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    elite, but no hof (yet)
     
    HerolGee, Aug 5, 2018
    HerolGee, Aug 5, 2018
    #2
  3. deyell

    deyell MOLECULE FROM HELL. Full Member

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    Good but not great. Kovalev has skills (good jab and a right hand), punching power, but his stamina is bad, he often fades in the second half, and makes mental mistakes.
     
    deyell, Aug 5, 2018
    deyell, Aug 5, 2018
    #3
  4. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

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    I would not say he's 100% finished, but it seems part of the fire has gone out, and he just doesn't take a good punch anymore. He was in the lead last night until he was caught.

    Its too bad the judges didn't give him the first Ward fight.
     
    Mendoza, Aug 5, 2018
    Mendoza, Aug 5, 2018
    #4
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  5. HerolGee

    HerolGee Loyal Member banned Full Member

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    too bad they didnt give him this one
     
    HerolGee, Aug 5, 2018
    HerolGee, Aug 5, 2018
    #5
  6. Odins beard

    Odins beard Fentanyl is one hell of a drug.... Full Member

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    I voted top 10 but I know I'm wrong.

    I think he beats the fighters of yesteryear like Johnson, Woods, Tarver, Dawson etc but his resume is lacking.

    Hopkins, Pascal and Cleverly is hardly emphatic proof of an elite fighter.
     
    Odins beard, Aug 5, 2018
    Odins beard, Aug 5, 2018
    #6
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  7. Cafe

    Cafe Sitzpinkler Full Member

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    He needed that Stevenson W. That would make his resume a lot better.
     
    Cafe, Aug 5, 2018
    Cafe, Aug 5, 2018
    #7
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  8. UniversalPart

    UniversalPart Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Some of you people are so fickle and turn on your favourite fighters at the drop of a hat.

    I would hate to even know some of you two-faced f*ckers in real life.

    Kovalev was an elite fighter. He probably won the first Ward fight and had the skills to compete.

    Unfortunately the rebuilding process coincided with him getting older and losing some reflexes and timing as well as getting into the same old patterns.

    At his best - an elite fighter. He was avoided for a reason. He could legit bang you out of there with one shot. Very under rated boxing skills and his 1-2 was sublime with that little bounce he had on it.

    If his confidence is not totally gone he can still be a force again. I would pick him to beat Alvarez in a rematch.
     
    UniversalPart, Aug 5, 2018
    UniversalPart, Aug 5, 2018
    #8
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  9. IKSAB

    IKSAB Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Very good fighter, but not a great. Never fought a puncher and last night might have showed us why.
     
    IKSAB, Aug 5, 2018
    IKSAB, Aug 5, 2018
    #9
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  10. Okin129

    Okin129 ... Full Member

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    His achievements are not great enough to put him in the Top 10 of all time.
     
    Okin129, Aug 5, 2018
    Okin129, Aug 5, 2018
    #10
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  11. IKSAB

    IKSAB Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Handspeed looks to be his kryptonite. Stevenson would have most likely cleaned his clock with that straight left.
     
    IKSAB, Aug 5, 2018
    IKSAB, Aug 5, 2018
    #11
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  12. Cafe

    Cafe Sitzpinkler Full Member

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    It's not about turning on a fighter, I doubt anyone has lost any love for Kova just because he lost. I for sure haven't, he's still one of my favourite fighters and I'll be sure to watch and support him in the future.

    Just because you introspect and can look at a fighter with a more analytical mindset after the shine has somewhat worn off a little, doesn't mean you're turning on him. At least not the way I see it.
     
    Cafe, Aug 5, 2018
    Cafe, Aug 5, 2018
    #12
  13. HerolGee

    HerolGee Loyal Member banned Full Member

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    his taunts were a great thnig, like when he cut down ...i've literally forgotten his name now, but the guy they called the next calzaghe with ease.
     
    HerolGee, Aug 5, 2018
    HerolGee, Aug 5, 2018
    #13
  14. Ukansodoff

    Ukansodoff Deontay plz stop ducking Joshua. Thank you. Full Member

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    He had the tools to take him into a top 10 list but he didnt have the dedication to be the best he could be so he falls short of getting into any.
     
    Ukansodoff, Aug 5, 2018
    Ukansodoff, Aug 5, 2018
    #14
  15. GK BOX

    GK BOX Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Kov was the man at 175 for years who took on all challenges never ducked anyone
    Salute
    He was an elite 175 lbr for a time
     
    GK BOX, Aug 5, 2018
    GK BOX, Aug 5, 2018
    #15
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