O.k., so, I'm watching the first KD sequence right now and Sergey had his left arm fully extended down when Alvarez was gearing up for that overhand right and by the time the punch was on its way, Kovalev was only able to get his glove half way up his body. The 2nd KD, Sergey was throwing his own overhand right and he was completely open right down the middle for Alvarez's right hand but Alvarez missed the initial one and after Sergey threw his shot, he didn't bring his glove back in position and Alvarez landed the left hook with a follow-up straight right. The final sequence, it was just an around the ear right hook and it was over. I'm actually surprised Kov. got up from the 2nd KD because he really got walloped. I don't think Kov lost because he was tired--I think he lost because he simply didn't have his gloves in good position after he was throwing his own shots. Because of how he fights, I don't know how much something like this can be corrected. It's not that he has a bad chin, it's just that he has this particular defensive flaw. It's not so much how fast you can punch but it's how quickly you can bring your gloves back into a defensive position after you punch. It's got to be one or the other--you either move your gloves back to your head or you have to move your feet and adjust your body to avoid the counter shots. Sergey fights so long and tall and he doesn't move much at all when he's standing right in front of you letting off shots so he's kind of in the same position during exchanges. At the end of the day, you have to give Alvarez credit for finding those holes in order for him to land those counter shots.
Haven't seen the fight yet but surprised he was stopped by a fringe man. Maybe some peds at play ala Lebedev Jones?
I agree with you. I hate all of the complaining to the ref. If he's so perturbed by it, then why doesn't he just go low himself? Makes no sense to me.
pascal started to exploit this. Kovalev stops, squares up and adjusts his trunks on the outside. He has always been a sucker for eating jabs and counter right hands. Serious fundamental flaw and you can see why he was written off as a high level amateur in russia.
His hands were low the entire fight. It had nothing to do with him being gassed. He definitely wasn't gassed on the first KD or even the 2nd one. It happened exactly as I typed it out. Bad technique. Bad habits.
Outstanding point Forza. I kind of forgot how he is always adjusting his trunks. You are exactly right.