Bellew brands Kovalev a "Hype Job"

It was m8 ;-)

 

He backs away from punches and he doesn't get hit too much whilst his connection ratio is quite high. He was sparring the Cruiserweight champ a while back and he looks a solid light heavweight. Perhaps he doesn't have a great chin, but despite coming up against it in with Boone that time (who has shown to be handy when in the mood and the right form) he looks OK.

I suppose he took some cracks from White and some others who are not light punchers. There is nothing to doubt that he has a worse chin than any of the other fighters that Cleverly has taken 12 rounds.

 

By all accounts he was lucky to get the split against Boone and was gasping at the end after being floored in the 7th and it was a good job it was an 8 rounder.

More worrying would be that he got sparked in 1 round just before turning pro by a guy who then went down to middleweight.

 

Not sure what chances Clev will get to land 3/4 punch combos but if he does it will be interestiNg to see how Kovalev handles it,if Clev can find an angle to land flush a few times who knows what could happen. He will need to take some to get in there though,that is the test

 

But he got the decision against Boone and rematched him and won inside the distance in the rematch, what does that tell you? Do you think any less of Stevenson (current WBC\Ring champ) who Boone stopped in two rounds or Ward (Ring champ) who was also down against Boone?

In the Kuziemski fight, Cleverly was hit and hurt badly by a shot from a lighter punching 34/35 year old, what if Kovalev landed that shot? Like the left hook (I think) he hit Campillo with?

I still think Cleverly may struggle to keep Kovalev off, I'm convinced Kovalev will exploit a weakness in Cleverly (body attack), strong jab and punches to the body to slow him down then solid combinations to finish the show.

I'd be shocked if Kovalev was hiding a glass chin, if he has one, why has no opponent had a real go at him already?

Cleverly appears to have excellent stamina (all hills in South Wales), but I have real concerns that when his fast and lighter punches meet Kovalevs bombs it's not going to go well.

 

Indeed. He needs to take Kovalev out of his gameplan and push him back without taking too many risks. No lapses in concentration and extra power behind the jab rather than throwing far too many punches.

The odd punch from Kovalev with the high guard and chin of Cleverly he should be able to take, but he doesn't want to get caught then falling into one of those huge sapping combinations Kovalev throws.

A strong jab, range, movement, without running. Exploit Kovalev moving back in straight lines. No showboating when hit, not showing any sign of stress when Kovalev lands. Beat Kovalev to the punch so that he cannot set. He has to do this for round after round. It's going to require a lot of control, skill and luck. One lucky hit from Kovalev, even if he's behind and getting hit often can turn a fight like this around. Cleverly needs to be very wary of that power.

 

Kovalev is very good at finishing his punches with a hard straight left! Clev really needs to watch out for that and not return fire as soon as he thinks Kovalev as stopped punching once his right misses because he will get caught square on with that finishing left! Could be a war but also could be very tactical.

 

Oh dear.

 

How good Kovalev is we'll find out on Saturday! Hype job he certainly isn't.

 

Listen I don't claim to be a know it all but bellew will have it. Too many jealous ****s on here. I do t think he's anything special but he deserves a chance. And I'll be there.
Look at that vid were Vincent and clev set them up. Vincent ended up crying that it was unfair. Out of his league maybe

 

Also I can't wait for the clev kov bill decent undercard as well

 

Kovalev will be fighting Cleverly, Cleverly's referee and judges. Kovalev will need a knockout to get a draw. Cleverly will only fight in his home town with his referee and judges.................why so? Cleverly is not Calzaghe, Calzaghe was totally superior...............

 

Agreed. It could be cagey, but I reckon someone will want to put their mark on the fight in the first round. When Kovalev has an opponent hurt you can sometimes see him adjust that straight left, into a power jab. That's the first punch that put White down. The left hook (I think) did for Campillo. The overhand right did for Thompson, that was a cracking punch.

The timing and weight behind these punches is spot on. You can clearly hear them land. I compare him to Corrie Sanders in the way he seems to have a natural ability to be able to hit opponents clearly and very hard.