Too many times in his fights after he lets go of a combination he backs up with his hands down and adjusts his trunks. It's almost like he does it because he's uncomfortable and doesn't want to throw with the trunks/cup in that position. I find it terribly odd and detrimental. He's too enamored with the powerful overhand right and left hook and he throws them--tonight anyways--at inopportune times when he should be throwing other punches. He needs to learn to pivot better to his left aided by a double jab and then he can work from that position. He's fighting too straight on in this fight and isn't in the perfect range.
GGG does it as well. It's not like they are in any danger. It's just a breather for them, before they continue their distruction. Russians can do as they please atm.
Well, they fight differently though. GGG telegraphs his shots more, but, he's a much, much better inside fighter and his left hook to the body might be the best in the sport. Kovalev looked wild in there at times tonight and if Hop would've asserted himself more he could've caught him with some good counters.
When he does that it's most likely the opponent is in a position he doesn't like so continuing the attack would do more harm than good for Kovalev. He would waste energy on ineffective punches and give the opponent a good chance to land something or he could be head-butted by an opponent standing upright from a crouch. So he just "resets" and goes back to closing the distance and punching at a range he likes.
