Thread title made me think of a little anekdote that I would like to share with you guys. I was over at a friends house for the first Michaelczewski - Rocchigianni fight with a couple guys, we watched the fight with his dad and his dad asked everyone beforehand who we would pick to win. One of the guys was a Russian, he didn't care that much about boxing and when it was his turn and he was asked if he picks Rocky or Tiger, here is what he responded with: "Meh, Rocky is not bad, I have watched all of his movies, but against a tiger? I don't know..." We were in tears but the fight was a big letdown. Good ol times...
Wow, great great fight..... would have to go with 24-0 Kovalev over 24-0 Dariusz based on Kovalev fighting the better competition to that point in his career, but man this would have been fun to watch. All action fight. Kovalev by late KO/TKO
Michalczewski was an exceptional fighter, Kovalev looks very good also but he is at the start of his reign, it's too early to say who'd win this fight.
DM was a very good fighter. He wouldn't have been able to beat Jones, but still he was a very good fighter. Plain and simple this fight would come down to who can handle the other's power. Kov has never faced anyone NEAR DM's level. I say that as a Kov fan. But at the same time, DM never fought anyone with Kov's power, and offensive arsenal. Still a tad too early to call for this one. The only I can tell you for SURE is that it'd be a violent fight.
The only advantage I give DM is that he has proven stamina. He's gone 12 rounds multiple times and he always closed strong while his opponents get battered and fades. It's a great fight. It's hard to pick a winner, but there's no doubt Kovalev holds the edge in power.
At this stage prime Michalczewski would be my pick, no question. DM was a top LHW who won WBO WBA IBF titles and beat several good top LHWs and champs. DM also won a CW world title. Michalczewski