Yes, I know that is what you mean with the thread title… my question was directed more at thistle1, who believes there have been more than 200 better light heavyweights than Kovalev!
I’m quite baffled how he’s still held in the esteem that he is. Nowhere near a top 20 light heavy, barely 30. Who has he beat, what’s his best win a UD against a near 50 year old Hopkins having his 2nd last fight? He’s severely damaged by the Ward fights where his durability and ultimately heart had to be questioned. I wouldn’t fancy him at all against the 70’s group of Saad Muhammad, Gallindez, Conteh and Yaqui Lopez.
He wasn't tough enough to beat Saad. Saad could take his power, while he would crumble under Saad's power. I agree he would lose to Qawi.
I would take it with a grain of salt. It obviously looks at all wins and losses through a given fighter's ENTIRE career. So, a guy who hung on too long will be rated way lower than he would be if you look at his prime. A classic example of this is Matthew Saad Muhammad. On this list, he is ranked #49. He is ranked behind such luminaries as Dennis Andries and Clinton Woods. LOL.
So losing then being stopped by an admittedly skilled but light hitting super middleweight gains him a top 20 slot?
You questioned his win column. I pointed out that he at least was competitive with the best of his era. ( And yes Ward was exceptional at 175 too, probably the best h2h since Jones.)
Sure John, a much better defense than Kovalev. But that isn't saying much. Kovalev's defense is his offense. And just who ever thought Kovalev was any kind of boxing brain during his 36 minute window? But Canelo looked like Benetiz in there making this guy miss. but he is just not that terrific defensively---the blame goes on the other guy with the reach advantage and just how sloppy he was in there. I was thinking that Kovalev looked a lot like Buster Douglas did against Holyfield---that sense of distance. when to punch and when not to throw. Just horrible.
1. Lineal 175 champion 2. Washed 175 champion at 168 3. Washed undefeated contender Barrera. But this isn't about his resume. It's about him being the best h2h since Jones.