Ievgen Khytrov: 5ft 11 with 65" reach

However reach is overrated. One example: according to boxrec Hopkins has a significantly bigger reach than Kovalev. But according to HBO Kovalev's arms are longer than Hopkins' arms.. and the latter is accurate if you watched the fight, Kovalev outboxed him from the outside.

 

I was surprised to find out he was such an outstanding amateur. He looks terrible in the professional ranks. I'm hoping he turns it around because the division could use some great fighters.

 

The humans the general evolutionary demand was:

• Longer legs.
• Shorter Arms.

In boxing the general evolutionary demand is:

• Longer Legs
• Longer Arms

Trainers prefer longer legs & longer arms for obvious reasons, but short arms are still very useful for delivering powerful Mid-Range & Short Range Punches, especially if the fighter has a height advantage to reduce the leverage of punches thrown at him & increase his own.

Rocky Marciano had a similar reach/height & he made it work :smoke

 

Kovalev was the stronger man so he had more options on what punches to use, while Hopkins was in the defensive cagey mode where his shoulders no longer count.

Felix Trinidad had a similar reach like Kovalev & possibly longer Arms. However, Hopkins was the stronger man & used all his reach without worrying about the consequences.

If Kovalev was the vulnerable man in the ring, you will see Hopkins cut into him more often turning more offensive angles (thus using all his reach).

So lets not call what happened outboxing*, Kovalev kept Hopkins in negative defensive mode the whole fight. Using his power deterant element not "technical skills"

Rigondeaux boxing skills are also overrated, by underrating his power ...which convinces opponents to keep their punches as short & safe as possible...In effect signing an unwritten agreement with Ring General Boredom Rigo to cruise into a 12rd Defeat without risking getting KOed.

 

He should be fighting again real soon.

 

lol if I hadn't seen him in the amateurs, I would certainly have the same opinion. His trainer just doesn't understand him at all.

 

miguel cotto is jealous of those t rex arms.