Either one of those guys,Smith or Kovalev have to get a KO to win,always remember that,otherwise it is a guaranteed loss and the historical embarrassment and injustice that goes with it.
Kovalev isn't shot. he got his confidence back, and his "second wind"... he had a Wlad Klitschko moment where he lost 2 fight in a row, but now he's back. He looked very comfortable in the ring against Alvarez in the rematch. Which is crazy, considering what happened to him in their first fight.
It will get made, most probably, but... in a couple of years. Because now Kovalev is simply too dangerous to Canelo. The most obvious (and the only one, in fact) plan for Alvarez for this fight would be to get inside, but good luck doing that through Kovalev's jabs and straight right hands. Also, for this fight to happen even in the future, Kovalev will have to stay on top — remain the champion.
Canelo gassed against Jacobs who had pitty pat jabs. Kovalev's stiff jab will give Canelo hell, and Canelo will become mince meat if he gasses against Kovalev.
The shorter fighter has to work twice as hard as the taller fighter to go in and out of the pocket so very likely that Canelo will gas first. Not to mention Kovalev likes to throw a lot of hard jabs to the body. The reach and strength advantage of Kovalev will make it harder for Canelo to counter body jabs.
How do YOU know that Smith is Tougher ? basd on which fights , of course anyone would crumble with heavy low blows to the nuts so that aside....
Twice as hard? Not really. And Alvarez is used to being the shorter fighter. He dealt really well with Jacob's jab. He has a lot of experience in that regard. And Kovalev's reach isn't impressive at all. He only has 2 inches on Alvarez. But the two problems will be height(punching up is a mother****er) and like you said; the jab.
Because I can see a tall prime fighter with skills. Kovalev isn’t as physically imposing, is past his best and can’t take it to the body. They probably both rehydrate to a similar weight. Winning a light heavy title will be a bigger achievement as well. Kovalev quit against Ward, he was wobbled by a a right hand, and looking to quit regardless if the body shots were low or not.
I root for Canelo and I think he is a better boxer. I am just afraid Kovalev is too big for him. I say it will be a draw.
Kovalev has always struggled with his weight in the past. I remember one of his old interviews where he was saying about a possible move to Cruiserweight, but it was obvious for him, that he would be doomed there just because of his size. A lot of changed for the better when Kovalev and McGirt started working together. A new correct approach to training (don’t overtrain), Sergey is more disciplined and motivated now, a very good nutritionist is helping him – Kovalev has stopped eating bread at all, for example, is eating like this (https://i.ibb.co/2PkGTTW/Kova.jpg) even between the fights. I think a lot of people (Canelo and Oscar included ) will be surprised at how fresh and rejuvenated he will look against Yarde.
