Only person to stop pascal was kovalev and that was after taking punches that would have flattened or killed any other LHW, round after round, finally getting a "TKO". That's not what bothered me about the fight, what looks bad is bivol fades in the later rounds and that can get him seriously hurt. But I still think he kills alvarez, that guy isn't any good. He landed a lucky hail mary on a shot alcoholic kovalev who hasn't taken boxing seriously for years.
yeah but he was supposed to get the stoppage, and he got his eye swollen. Its a good win but he could be in trouble with the elite if he fades like that again.
I view it as a good learning opportunity since Pascal fought far more earnestly than Chilemba did in taking Bivol 12 rounds. It wasn't a flawless performance but Bivol decisively outpointing Pascal who was a former champ who was highly credentialed. Hopefully we'll get to see Bivol continue to stay active and grow. He's not a finished comodity, but he's getting there. He may be Top 10 p4p in the next 12-16 months.
Pascal didn't even fade nearly as bad as he normally does. Bivol was trying to stop pascal at one point but he left himself so open that he was getting tagged pack. Keep in mind everyone said Pascal was shot. 4 rounds were competitive at least. this wasn't even the same Pascal that fought alvarez. let alone kovalev.
