I tend to believe bookies know their boxing, one way or another. Whether its via them, or they have boxing analyst nerds on the payroll... barring the occasional upset, their odds tend to be pretty good. Even if boxing makes up a small fraction of betting... when you combine vegas, all online gambling, and international casinos.... we are talking millions and millions of dollars. I dont believe for a second they dont know how to intelligently set boxing lines. Obviously Im just hoping they are wrong on this one. As Im hoping Andre Ward, Max Kellerman, Freddie Roach, ect ect, are as well.
Yes, they don't get swayed with favouritism like us fans do they, and if your on here then your passionate and can get predictions big time wrong down to it !
I think Kova should pull this off on paper but I don't know, my gut instict says Canelo now. Kova's been looking over the hill for a while now. I know he's still got some left in the tank but I'm not confident in picking him against anyody these days. It also just makes no sense how Canelo and his team are fighting him in the first place, unless they're seeing the same thing (and no, please don't tell me Canelo is purely daring to be great and is taking on a challenge for the sake of it)
Kind of like how Kovalev's fans cry that Andre Ward should've been disqualified after KO'ing Kovalev in the rematch? Bring on the excuses.
Mate if Ward and Kov was fought out on the street Ward would've been done for sexual assaulting another male, and be known by all the alpha's for liking or wanting to touch other males in their erogenous zones
it was the right hand upstairs that Andre Ward landed that led to the KO. whatever happened after that punch will be debated forever. maybe some of them were low blows, maybe not. I don't think it was quite sexual assault lol his trunks were high. and speaking of the right hand, Eleider Alvarez landed a similar punch on the chin to knock Kovalev out a couple fights later.
Ward shouldn't have gone low after hurting Kov, could've been a clear cut finish like Alvarez got with no whining off anyone
True good point. for some, there will always be an asterisk by that win. Eleider Alvarez's win in their 1st fight has never been debated. I think Ward was just excited, and rightfully so. Kovalev was still living up to his Krusher name at the time no one had ever stopped him before. he probably figured the body shots were tiring him out earlier in the fight, so he would use them to finish him off.
Anything can happen. I doubt there will be a KO. How far has Kovalev slipped? That's the big question. In my opinion Kovalev only has one legit loss and that was his KO loss to E. Alvarez. He was outboxing Alvarez prior to the KO. He deserved the decision in his first fight vs. Ward and the stoppage in their rematch was B.S.. Ward should have been DQd in their rematch. So, 38 pro fights, 1 legit loss, 29 KOs. Let's not forget that he avenged that loss to Alvarez with a clear victory. He followed that up with a KO win over Yarde. Yes, Yarde rocked him but Yarde punches very hard. It was an impressive win for Kovalev. So, if Kovalev isn't washed up... does that change your opinion. Canelo has had two fights over 160. He beat the human punching bag J.C.C. Jr. at 164 and he beat one of the weakest 168 Lb. Champs in a while when he beat Fielding. This fight is being made because Kovalev is suposed to be damaged goods... but what if he's not?
Um, yeah, you are missing something. A small-sized Middleweight is moving up to fight a career Light Heavyweight who is one of the best punchers of the last decade. Picking the LHW is the smart move on paper. It's not just smart on paper, it is obvious and would be stupid to pick the opposite. Why are people doing it? Maybe they are tired of Canelo proving them wrong over and over.
its not that far fetched, i posted in february that he should be keeping an eye on kovalev for any sign of deterioration, and then lock him into contract. i think he may have jumped the gun a little. i also advised a long build up once he locks him in, he didnt give himself that time. thats exactly what he will be trying to do. once he gets inside kovalevs full extension, he has the advantage. kovalevs longer arms have to travel further, in order to get full leverage into the shot, while canelos shorter arms can generate more torque and leverage in a tighter space. with less space to travel, he will connect faster, and hes already faster. the trouble will be in getting that short range he wants. if he has trouble slipping the jab, you will see him go to the ropes a lot, inviting kovalev in so he can get that range.