Beterbiev. I realize it is hard to look back to that time when Kovalev was a feared beast, but I don't think he was ever this good.
Years ago, I was thinking Kovalev, but after seeing more of Beterbeiv's career... I'd say Beterbiev beats Kovalev. He's just more durable and more powerful. Kovalev can outbox Beterbiev in the early rounds, but Beterbiev would break Kovalev down.
Yeah, I also favored Kovalev, but now it's hard not to favor Beterbiev eventually wearing him down and securing the stoppage. It's a shame that Beterbiev had those promotional issues early on... He was already an elite fighter in 2014-2015. The Kovalev fight would have been great anytime between those years and 2016-2017.
Beterbiev hurt Smith tonight with a body shot a lot of ppl missed with all the other carnage he was inflicting. Guy has brutal power
I'm still pissed that we never got to see this fight. Had Kovalev not been robbed against Ward we would've seen two of the most fearsome punching LHWs of all time, both undefeated, who had history in the amateurs and really don't like each other, in an absolutely mouthwatering match up for the ages.
Yeah, Kovalev is not as durable, probably literally not as big physically. Doesn't mean he can't win though. Kov getting KO'd by Beter in the pros would not be a surprise. But everybody is forgetting the RH power Kov had before McGirt declawed him. Let's go back in time. Cleverly fought some big punchers, including Bellew who was dangerous at Cruiser, and he was shocked by Kovalev's overwhelming power. Go watch the interviews. So was Pascal, who was shocked during the fight in the corner! So Kovalev, faster and rangier, definitely has a chance to use his boxing skills long enough to snipe Beterbiev, get the KO. It's like a medium tank with a big gun versus a heavy tank with a big gun. The medium tank can still destroy that heavy tank, but it can get taken out at any time too. We can't judge Krusher on the recent performances of Jabolev.
One thing about prime Kovalev is he had great timing with that right hand and he could catch you in between shots and counter over the jab with it really well.
Kovalev has a legit shot in the first 4 rounds. Kovalev was an absolute murderous puncher and could catch beterbiev with his famous one two and end the fight. If not, then beterbiev knocks him out in the middle rounds