Here is Kovalev's recent interview in Russian: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzat4TvlHqM In the interview Sergey claims that Sillakh is two-faced and he doesn't like him. Kovalev then says that he wants to "bury Sillakh as a boxer in his division". P.S. Judging by his use of the language, Kovalev is not the sharpest tool in the toolbox (which is nothing to be ashamed of).
Knowing Kovalev's in-ring history of having killed a man, I think he should have chosen wiser words... Not that I'm offended or think a shred less of him, but people out there might.
Most people do not know a boxer died fighting him. But, it was not like Sergi hit him with several undefended punches, it was more a cumulative effect, which the boxers corner should have noticed and stopped the gross mismatch. It seems the Ruskies are all to willing to let their charges get hurt real bad rather than stop a fight. The complete opposite mentality from that of the Brits. The truth lies in-between.
Agreed... Corners need to know their fighters and not be clouded by thoughts of future paydays. Sort of like Magomed vs. Perez... After the 6th round I was saying this fight must be stopped. However, if it was, I'm sure every Magomed fan on this site (there are a lot) would have been in a rage. Hindsight is always 20/20.
It's a good thing Sillakh has a weak chin, so if Kovalev lands flush, he's going down. He won't be taking a lot of punishing in this fight, unless he's got a better chin that's better than we thought. In all seriousness, Russians don't like Ukrainians and likewise. There is a genuine dislike between the 2 groups and even the smallest slight can trigger some animosity.
Kovalev is going to be very hard to beat and an almost impossible task to overcome. He will be well avoided for that reason.
There's a whole lotta difference in meaning between "I want to bury Sillakh" and "want to bury Sillakh as a boxer in his division". If he litterally would have said the first quote, it would have been very low for him to say that with what has happened in the past. But it's about the same difference as saying "I want to kill Sillakh" as "I want to kill Sillakh's career" Still not too classy, but clearly not what the thread suggests. This won't be an easy fight for Kovalev. Sillakh is much better as the likes of Cleverly and Campillo and will make it difficult until Kovalev can figure him out and stop him. So I don't think this is going to be a onesided slaughter like his recent fights, but rather very competitive and tactical until the KO. I guess 7 rounds.
That's correct, he did say i want to bury Sillakh as a boxer in his division. It is what it is boxing is a **** sport when it comes to one fighter's career is over because of fight not being stopped in time. Saying all that if Silakh's chin holds up Kovalev's bombs he may have a chance to win this fight
I agree with 90% of your post, as usual Robney. But this one sentence......not a snowballs chance in hell does that accurately reflect what we know. Ismails best win to date was his schooling of Despaigne in a fight that looked like 2 ams trying to score points. Sillahk being the slick and stronger of the two. He was schooling Grachev yes, but he had no idea what to do when he got countered. He just let Denis tee off on him. Had he taken a knee and a count, he would have likely already had his title shot as he woulda went on to finish that fight with the W. As for his being better than Campillo and Cleverly...consider this. Nate was unbeaten and had beaten MUCH better guys than Despaigne and Grachev. His resume was acutally pretty solid tho the haterz would disagree. As for Campillo....yes he's been on the slide, but he'd never been systematically destroyed the way the destroyer done him. And watch his latest fight with Fonfara....he was winning that fight before he wore down. And Fonfara is far better than Despaigne or Grachev.
If Sillakh can survive the first 5 rounds the fight gets interesting, because Kovalev could become gassed from throwing lots of punches and Sillakh could use his slick skills to frustrate him....I give Sillakh a shot to pull off the upset and win a decision. Kovalev was wobbled against White, Campillo and Cleverly so he maybe hiding some glass.
Cleverly had a close fight with Bellew that could have gone either way. Actually Campillo had already been KO'd early in his career. To me it's pretty clear that Sillak is more skilled than both. When was he wobbled in those fights?
:huh:huhIDK about KOvalev being wobbled. I was gonna ask the guy too As for Sillakh being more skilled that Cleverly and Campillo????? I can't say it b/c I aint seen it. He's fought 2 Blevel guys in the pros. He's schooled both, but been KOd by one. Cleverly has beaten 5-6 Blevel guys, and got starched by the best in the world. Campillo has fought ALL the best. He's been robbed several times, and he's won several big fights. Yes he's been beat, but not by the likes of a Grachev.:think
He was knocked off balance as he was planting his front foot. He wasn't wobbled as "hurt by a punch". @1:55 remaining in the 2nd round http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNokhPAGwOM&feature=player_detailpage#t=577
