I am leaning towards Kovalev I think the bookies are way off here and I will be having a big bet on the Krusher.
Kovalev starts the fight cautiously, moving in and out, jabbing, holding back. Canelo gets confident, believing that if he can handle GGG's power when on PEDs, he can also handle Kov's power when on more PEDs, and he's not feeling the Krusher power so far. He starts opening up with some fancy combos before being caught with some pin point raking RH's. Oh ****. He's rocked. Now he starts getting on his bike like Hopkins. He's revisiting GGG-Canelo I and circuiting from corner to corner. Kov gets confident and tracks him down, opening up with long fencing attacks. Canelo is surprised at Kovalev's footspeed and how his long limbs can quickly cover the distance and then dart back out of range. Canelo can't land his flashy flash with authority. A few bodyshots get through but Kov doesn't go down in a heap for some reason. And Kovalev is now landing more power shots and wearing the Krusher grin. Canelo is tiring from all the bike riding and extra PED bulk. The stamina PED's can't overcome the bulk PEDs. Kovalev sees the gassing signs and turns up the heat. Now he's unleashing, head, body, injection marks, he's hitting everything HARD. Canelo is up against the ropes, shaking his head at the bludgeoning attacks. Goes down, shakes his head. Ruled a slip. Goes down, shakes his head. Ruled a slip. Backed up against ropes, shaking his head. But nothing is coming back. Ref takes a closer look, the head shaking has stopped. Looks over to GB team with an apologetic grimace and waves off the fight. Kovalev d Canelo TKO. Post fight, Andre Ward offers Kovalev third fight. Contract stipulates Kov must go back to Snake Jackson and that SOG never has to fight Beterbiev.
I will really appreciate what Canelo's doing if those 3 judges at the ringside do not help him to win this fight. I just hope that Kovalev will knock him out.
What surprises me is how quickly the fight was made and how soon it is happening. Ruiz vs. Joshua was made before this one was, but it is a month ahead. Am I right?
We will see how this plays out but I suspect another questionable Canelo decision. He’s a smart fighter and can do enough to stay on his feet until Kov runs out of gas. Jumping two divisions is always risky but it’s less risky when the bigger guy is older and showing major signs of fading. Plus we already know Kov has stamina problems. There is no way Kov walks away with a decision. No matter what happens during the fight, if Canelo finishes on his feet, he gets his hand raised at the end. The only shot Kov has is a KO and I think Canelo is too smart and too skilled to let that happen. Plus, Kov is old and probably incapable of knocking out a prime and juiced to the gills Canelo. It will be like Spence-Garcia except Garcia’s hand will be raised at the end. Canelo’s fans will eat it up like their ginger hero eats tainted fajitas and everyone else will see it for what it is. Another scenario is Kov gets gassed early and retires due to exhaustion. I am going with this prediction. Canelo gets outboxed like SOG for six or seven rounds, lands a couple body shots and Kov is unable to continue. It will be interesting to see how big the ginger hulk comes in for this fight. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kov is the smaller guy on fight night. Good nutrition by Canelo’s team!