Wash your mouth out with soap, comparing Stevenson to Hearns. :nono (and make no mistake, he would be the Hearns in this analogy...)
Kovalev is better skilled, and I'd favour his more clubbing consistantly hard shots over Stevenson's one shot power which he kind of has to be set up for to throw.
The quality of the fighter isn't comparable, don't get me wrong! (though as far as I'm concerned, the sky is the limit for Kovalev). I imagine Kovalev beating Stevenson down within a few rounds, but both can bang, both will land.
Hopkins refused to fight Kovalev, so Kovalev fought Cleverly. Kovalev is more skilled than Stevenson, he would knock Stevenson out, no doubt about it.
I can see Bellew getting a paid a bit to swerve mandatory this December, anyone else think this? I would pay to go Montreal to see this.
Chad Dawson can box and look what it got him. Koralev is not the helluva boxer ya'll claim or wish he is...he is a bit stiff.
Am I the only one who's fairly convinced that Stevenson won't get past Cloud? I don't really rate Cloud but I believe he will pressure Adonis and wear him down to a late stoppage.
Excellent chance Cloud stops him. :good If you have a chin (just for a safety net) and a high boxing IQ you can outbox Cloud safely enough without much difficulty, as Hopkins did. Stevenson has neither of those. Of course, if Cloud brings his drippy-faucet work rate and just ambles into some big counter and gets laid out, the Stevenson myth will spiral to new heights with nobody taking a moment to pause and catch their breath or get a little perspective. Yes, Cloud is tough and knocking him out would be impressive - but the way he fights: low and low volume, is basically asking to be hit with someone's best shot and for all his flaws the one part of the Stevenson myth that is real is his power... It won't be surprising to see a KO either way. A decision would be shocking.
maybe Stevenson is the strongest pimp in the world, but thats not enough to beat Kovalev. I see Sergey totally controlling this fight, jabbing and landing shots from distance. Adonis got shaky chin, even if Kovalev lands on his guard it gonna hurt him. I predict KO 3.