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

Im going for Kovalev

People look at Cleverly and see the following attributes:-

Solid Chin
Stamina
Lack of power
Welshman
Workrate
WBO
**** title defenses

and then they think its Joe Calzaghe. Nathan Cleverly is not the next Calzaghe, Cleverly's defense is too leaky and Kovalev seems to have power that can rock the sturdiest of chins.

Kovalev aint done **** either when compared to Cleverly but he was legit KO power and has shown good movement. People have watched Kovs last few fights and think he is an aggressive beast but going by his amateur and early fights, Kovalev is a counter puncher, and thats the style I would expect him to adopt against Cleverly, land some strong counters through Cleverly's leaky defense.

One thing for certain, whoever wins this fight should be considered the most dangerous champ in the LHW division more than BHop, Stevenson, Shumenov, Dawson or Pascal.

 

Last fight was less than three rounds, Kovalev hardly took any damage in that fight and can take the momentum straight into training camp.

Also, Kovalev hasnt really got any negotiating power here, if Clev's team offers Aug 17 then its best to take it because Clev's team would have no problem getting another male nurse or a school janitor as a replacement.

 

Both guys throw alot of leather and move around the ring pretty
quick, but I've always said that to be elite level you HAVE to be
able to hurt opponents. That's the difference and it's why i pick
the russian to really put a hurt on the welshman and force a stoppage
in 6 rounds or less.

 

Good prediction