At the time they were both in their primes, it seemed like Kov BIG TIME. In retrospect - not Kov big time, but I'd still favor prime Kov. Stevenson was highly flawed technically, and for all his athleticism, his defense was terrible. Kov was actually more adept defensively. HOWEVER, one mistake from Kov and it coulda been over. But my money would have been on Kov. Stevenson was scared to death of Kovalev, so obviously he didn't fancy his chances all that much. Chickensh!t pimp.
All things considered now that Kovs career is basically finished I think Stevenson would have landed first. His left cross was faster than anything Kov had. Do I think hes the better fighter NO. He wins the fight though IMO
I think Stevenson is quicker lands that straight left and its over. Agree with another poster- Kov better skilled but Stevenson was much faster at pulling that trigger.
It was one of the biggest fights the fans wanted in 2013-2014 that never happened. Both looked unstoppable for a fashion. At the time it could have been anyone’s fight but it seems like Stevenson’s people were the more reluctant of the two camps.
Another frustrating symptom of the modern game. Criminal that this fight wasn’t made. I’d probably go Kovalev, more solid all round, but not with any great confidence.
Not sure, but Stevenson had a lot more heart and was much more capable of fighting on fumes than Kovalev. Kovalev was better at winning rounds. Weirdly, their only notable common opponent is Darnell Boone and both needed to rematch him after he stopped Stevenson and dropped a SD to Kovalev after almost taking him out.