People overrate 'Lineal' championships. There have been a number of underwhelming lineal champs. It used to mean you were THE guy but it now means you're THE guy unless someone's body of work exceeds yours and they're seen as better than you.
Easier said than done Stevenson is unorthodox, and has unique movement. It might take a few rounds to figure out and by then it could be all over. Ward vs Kovalev II has more claim to being p4p no1 then they do being the 175 King, the 175 lineal champ is Stevenson that is until he loses or retires
If that person is too scared to fight the lineal champ (Stevenson), how can they be considered the best, that is delusional Throughout history I am sure there were contenders who had better resumes then the champion, but they weren't the champion and hadn't beaten the champion.
Beterbiev is also with Haymon on PBC. It's a crime they haven't fought each other. Almost as bad as when Stevenson ran to PBC when he had a deal to fight Kovalev on HBO.
I hope you are right Ward vs Kovalev II has to be the priority because there wasn't a definitive winner, strong arguments can be made for both sides and perhaps a draw would have been the fairer outcome. I hope the winner goes and fights Stevenson because they will just be paper champs otherwise and by no means legitimate
Nay _Sayer should be on here now saying Ward is ducking Stevenson! Is he? Oh wot a surprise.. No! Wonder why LOL
I dont think Stevenson has any real desire to fight either guy. He couldve fought Kovalev a long time ago and hasnt. I think Ward,Kov and Beterbiev will all fight each other before Stevenson fights any of them if at all.
Ward ducking STevenson is as ridiculous as Brook ducking Spence. You dont fight Godzilla then get scared of fighting Godzuki.
BS, Stevenson and Krusher went to purse bids and Kovalev withdrew! Beterbiev and Ward have only just come on the scene so how do you think he could have fought them years ago?
He had his chance to fight Kovalev for all the marbles and he ducked the fight. Now that Ward got the nod over Kovalev, he wants to fight now because Ward doesn't have the "power" or present that same threat in his eyes that had him shook before. What a wimp! That said Ward will still whoop his ass for 12 rounds, while Kovalev would have knocked his ass out!