ESPN : Cleverly vs. Kovalev Done Deal for Aug. 17th, HBO.

this is a fight that's definitely worth watching. this is going to be exciting.

 

i pick who i think will win.

Brook would have beat Devon as well.

 

Kovalev knocks him out within the first 4 rounds, too aggressive and too heavy handed

Easy night for Kovalev, wait and see

 

he was breathing quite hard after the White fight. listen to the interview after. he was finding it hard to get his words out.

we'll be definitely finding out in this fight.

 

thats because his english is terrible

 

There's an outside chance Bhop could tie Kov up. Cleverly won't. He won't outspeed him either. Clev will get hurt early then we'll see what he's made of.

 

Cleverly is quite talented, but I think he has been in a comfort zone too long, struggled with Bellew who to be fair is pretty average. Unless he really shows something, he hasn't shown before, I don't think Cleverly will last beyond 6 rounds, I think he will get overwhelmed.

 

atsch No he wasn't. ~90 punches in the 6th against Simakov.

 

This time last week people on here was saying every Tom, Dick and Harry would be ducking Kovalev.

:nono Wrong

Cleverly AND Hopkins have attempted to jump all over this.

 

Interesting match-up.

Kovalev is a hard-punching, technically sound swarmer with underrated skill on the back foot. Cleverly is smooth, fleet footed, quick fisted boxer with limited pop but underrated toughness. Normally, the swarmer beats the boxer, but I don't see Cleverly folding up under Kovalev's assault; and he's got the ability to out-maneuver a guy like Kov for a while, at any rate.

Both guys are going to ask questions of one another that neither has yet to answer, I think. And at this point, I have no way of knowing for certain which guy will be able to provide better answers when they step inside the ring.

 

:good Great breakdown.

 

yeah, because White and Simakov are the same person. atsch

he was tired after the fight. it wasn't even at a high pace either. the rate that Cleverly fights at is going to be painful for him.

 

A lot depends on how good Cleverlys chin is: it looks good at this stage and he spars heavyweights like Tyson Fury but it may have to be granite to hold up to Kovalev. He gets hit tooboften cos he relys on his chin against weaker opposition but he has to try and tame the macho urge for him to slug in this fight. He has a good chance if he boxes smart

 

It doesn't matter how good your chin is, if Cleverly walks onto one of those shots Kovalev throws out of the blue then it's over. There's going to be so much pressure on Cleverly knowing every shot this guy throws is coming with intent, also perhaps knowing for the first time that 1. The opponent is REALLY coming to win 2. The opponent may well be something special. If Kovalev has a decent chin (no reason to doubt it) and good stamina (no reason to doubt at the moment - despite ending fights early) then he could already be the divisions best, despite not holding a belt. This is an excellent fight, probably the best that can be made in the division. Kovalev is not bringing a title to the table, he's undefeated, he can box, is durable, he throws combinations and he has REAL fight ending power. Basically it's a durable, fast, high work rate and undefeated average hitting, unproven at top world level WBO Champion fighting at home against a very hard hitting Russian who has raced up the rankings after obliterating everyone put in front of him. Kovalev has handled all his opponents with aplomb so far, he's certainly on top of the who needs this guy list, especially as it's not a huge fight and he brings no belt to the table. If this fight goes ahead, then props to Cleverly. If he wins this in sensational style, he could become a Superstar. The big risk is that Kovalev thinks the same and if he does for Cleverly and ends his career early then he's the next big thing. This is a special fight no doubt about it. :good

 

Brook would get embarrassed by Devon.
He absolutely falls short in any aspect of boxing department in contrast to Devon Alexander.
Im gonna tell you what would have like to see back in the day,a prime Ricky Hatton at 140 battle it out with Alexander.