The fight takes place at Madison Square garden. Set for 15 rounds. Bob is just coming off of the win over Rondon. Sergey has just beaten Bernard Hopkins. Has Serg got it in him to defeat the legendary Foster? I see Bob coming through a tough, tight fight, to score a 3 kd win in the 10 th.
Fosters at least half a level better. He overcomes whatever perceived size advantage is proffered up.
Serge certainly had the skills to make it a competitive fight but I think his stamina lets him down, and Fosters power overcome s him.
I think Kovalev is the better fighter at range and has the better footwork. They both have outstanding jabs. Foster's seems more snappy but Kovalev's more controlling. It's hard to judge power ... Foster's power was legendary but then Kovalev is one of the hardest hitters of modern times. Or, I suppose, you could argue that Kovalev had arguably less power but better timing. He seemed to be able to catch guys just at the wrong time. What tilts me towards favouring Kovalev are the weigh in rules. Foster was same day weigh in whereas Kovalev has an extra day to rehydrate. That means Kovalev is significantly bigger. IIRC Kovalev's weight in-ring vs Hopkins was 188lbs, almost 15lbs on Foster. Kovalev therefore seems much more durable to me than Foster, especially when you look at fights like against Yarde, who is a huge hitter and landed many big shots on him fruitlessly. When Foster went up in weight his chin unfortunately did not prove to be the equal of his skills.
Foster ices him, Bob had in my opinion was the bigger puncher and had the quicker, better jab which will he'll use to his advantage and I think Kovalev will wilt in a 15 rounder
Foster wins the battle of the jab, and stops Kovalev with a left hook in a great fight. Dangerous for Foster, but Kovalev just isn't good enough to be favourite imo.
Tough fight to predict as both had crazy power and both could be hurt. One thing that bothers me about Kovalev is he seemed to have stamina issues and he kind of fought very stiff and tense. He had a tendency too fade in fights. I'm leaning towards Foster but either man could get stopped by the other.
Both great LHWs who don't have the deepest of resumes... Foster has 14 title defenses and 46 KOs but Dick Tiger is the only HOFer he defeated. Tiger was a 2 division champion but was 38 years old and past his prime. The LHW division in the late 1960s and early 1970s wasn't as stacked as other eras.. which isn’t his fault but tempers his overall standing for me. Same with Kovalev.. Pascal, old Bhop, Chilemba etc isn't the greatest era.. the Stevenson fight was missed too.. Foster’s counterpunching v Kovalevs pressure.. If Foster lands a clean hook early, his power could end it quickly. However, Kovalev’s relentless pressure and combination punching could exploit Foster’s low guard too.. I'd probably edge Foster but its a close call.
