He never was elite. He possibly had elite power and that's all. Why too many huge holes to be a truly elite fighter
He could stick around for a few more fights if he enjoys it/wants the money. But his career is done. He'll never achieve anything more. Considering how his emotional state appeared after the Ward fights, probably retirement would best.
He was definately elite. He was the #1 guy at LHW and he probably won the first Ward fight. The second Ward fight took his confidence though. Still a Top 5 guy now unless he fails to bounce back.
This. Jackson and Don Turner were good coaches, but Kovalev doesn't listen and likes to do things his way, which didn't work out for him. Abel Sanchez even said that Kovalev despite being a very talented athlete and a great puncher was completely uncoachable. Kovalev's was making a bunch of defensive mistakes that a good coach could fix if Kovalev is willing to listen and put the work in.
We could've wondered how much Kovalev has left before tonight. Now he's done. You don't lose twice, look like you don't want to be in the ring while getting demoralised and stopped by Ward, get knocked out at 35 after boxing stupidly tonight against Alvarez, and then come back. No boxer comes back at this point, it's not a question. If Kovalev attempts to continue he will look useless against anyone he can't knock out with one punch. Kovalev already had conditioning issues, he now physically can't take it, and he especially is now plain mentally shot.
Never showed the devotion to training that Golovkin has and for all those who cared to listen suddenly it all makes sense how Kovalev had such a high regard for Golovkin and told us he couldn’t beat GGG and guess what?he was serious.
I think he can still fight on to be honest, he's 35 (not that old in today's game) he looked pretty decent until he got KO'd. He's still a danger to any LHW for the first 6 rounds.
Kovalev was out jabbing him though? We just hadn't seen anyone land as consistent a jab as Alvarez was against the Krusher.
LHW is too stacked. Kovalev had a fine run for a few years as champ, but he's not climbing past the young lions of the division. It's pretty impressive he got as far as he did for as stubborn/hard to coach as he was.
2 years ago SK would never have lost that fight. Age, not training properly and becoming disillusioned with the sport after what happened to him with the refs and judges, took a toll on him to where he has now become a complete shadow of his former self. Needs to think about retiring now, I just hope Roc Nation and those refs are proud of themselves for ruining a man's career. Hope those bribes were worth it!
Though Kovalev is now finished, it's ridiculous and insulting to say he was never any good. Up to Ward 1 he was more than a puncher, he was a really special, efficient attacking boxer. Combined pressure and ability to punch at his best distance so well. He may have been troubled by skilled guys with boxing smarts and real toughness at any time, but at his peak he was p4p elite, no doubt. Three years ago at Kovalev's unbeaten best I doubt Kovalev would've lost to Alvarez.