Battle of the Kovalev victims. Friday in Flemington, with the vacant WBC International light heavyweight title at stake along with the WBA Oceania title (2nd defense of Caparello). They have a combined 60 bouts with just ten stoppages between them, and nobody would ever confuse them for KO artists, but they have both shown flashes of sneaky pop if they get the right leverage. Two very big and rangy 175lbers, who could end up butting heads (literally) with alarming frequency given their respective styles and the usual tribulations of the orthodox vs. southpaw configuration.
Cagiest crossroads LHW fight of all time? This more than makes up for Caparello/Sukhotsky being canceled.
Tough to predict tbh. Caparello is fighting at home in Oz, he had a good activity in 2017 while Chilemba did not fight for almost 1,5yrs and who knows what he has left after three defeats in a row vs Alvarez/Kovalev/Gvozdyk. I mean you can lose to those names, they are top elite level (all ranked Top6 in LHW), but still there must be a reason why he is inactive for such a long time. Caparello is a dangerous opponent, no question, but apart from Kovalev and Dirrell he only fought bums. If Chilemba appears in good shape, well prepared and motivated he should take the decision.
This one has me banging my head into the wall, by all rights Chilemba should be too much for him, but how much does Isaac have after back to back beatings from the Nail and the Krusher, how motivated is he? Is this just a check he's showing up for? Isaac is going to have to be a little more of a front foot fighter than he likes to be here, and can the featherfisted southpaw do just enough to edge a hometown decision like that other featherfisted southpaw Eleider Alvarez.? Argh!