Wasn't Kovalev supposed to be finished after Ward cracked his chin (and balls) and all Alvarez had to do was to pick up the pieces ? How come ?
He did, but that doesn't mean that Kovalev was never any good, or that Kovalev can still get top level wins. Last night, Kovalev and his trainer Buddy McGirt put on a real show and had a beautiful game-plan. What they did worked.
It also doesn't mean Alvarez was that good. Alvarez was out pointed in the first fight and second fight he knocked Kovalev on his ass when he was tired . Alvarez was never on that level really. For those of you that say "his skillset " what skill set ? Getting out pointed in the first ? Needing a ko ? And got out pointed again and needed a KO again. Supposedly Alvarez was the boxer . How does the boxer get out pointed in both fights.
By the way I'm not shocked Kovalev beat Alvarez I actually see this version of Kovalev shot. It's not that Kovalev was that good. It's just Alvarez was that bad (both fights). Mhm I think a shot Kovalev beat Alvarez . Again that's just my opinion
He also fought last night very respective of Alvarez's power. Think about that. Kovalev has been hurt twice by fighters not known for their power, Ward and Alvarez. Kovalev is a sucker for the right hand to the jaw, and Ward showed that. Alvarez as well. He will get seriously hurt or knocked out cold if that happens again against a fighter that IS known for their power.
Acting like you knew something nobody else did. Read my post immediately after the first fight. I said Kov was doing good work and just didn't see that right hand of Alvarez for some reason. He made the adjustments and put in that work and did what I already knew he could do. So don't hurt your shoulder trying to pat yourself on the back son.
What everyone has to understand now that Kovalev won is that It was all because of Buddy, it's really his win. Buddy didn't watch the last KO because he knew it wasn't important at all. He's a mastermind. He told Kovalev to use his excellent boxing fundamentals that he'd learned back in Russia and to be a champ again. Genius old skool stuff. Kovalev owes him so much. Buddy told him to box well and win and Kovalev listened to that excellent gameplan. Buddy is the nicest guy too. Kovalev is a bad guy still, guilty and bad and scary. Sleeps in people's bushes with a vodka bottle like a hobo drunk.
I agree that Kovalev didn't feel the same he used boxing skills and I think Bivol would out box that...
if Kovalev would have fought the first ward fight second half like he did vs alvarez landing punches not going for the ko his career would be on a different point. Alvarez might not be actually that good and it was still a boring points win. not sure Kovalev can unify the belts