What happened to the talk that Main Events was looking at Barrera by the end of the year for Kovalev? That would be perfect for him. A lot of the other top guys he matches up badly with in a comeback fight, but even at less than his best he should beat Barrera, and that would give him a big confidence boost.
Meanwhile Ward is taking a break to pursue his creative dance interests. He'll be starring in Oakland ballet's new version of the Nutcracker.
Ward owns Kovalev, broke him, snatched his soul if he had one and then sent him home to be a family man. Don't cry, take this L for now. There's plenty of bumolovs to take his place supposedly. I personally want him to keep fighting so he'll get knocked out again, which is likely so this would be a good decision.
He is not elite. Yes it means he is not elite. Elite is Mayweather, Ward, the winner of GGG/ Canelo...
This. Kovalev's situation is a perfect example why top fighters need a promoter with resources. Duva couldn't afford a purse bid for the Adonis match and caved in to every demand Ward's side made even though Kovalev was the champ in the first fight. Kovalev should've been set for life from those two matches, but conceded on everything.
So Cotto is a HOF'er but he's not elite? He doesn't have a win like any of those, at or near prime, on his resume.
Cotto is not elite.. He is Hall of famer like someone like Virgil Hill. Well not as great as Virgil. but very very good. But Kovalev is not elite. You guys are rating people better than they are.
Got nothing to opine regarding this subject other than to wonder what kind of commentary would there be if the shoe was on the other foot and it was Ward talking about retirement after a couple of losses to a now clearly apparent ATG from the east side of the Atlantic? Hmmmm?
He better not retire. He should have more pride than that. You can't retire on a fight where you started getting your arse whooped, and then tried to find a way out.
Going out on a loss like that is not going to be good for Kovalev's mind IMO. If I were him, I'd take some time off, come back in February to fight some 20-10 bum, and then someone like Karo Murat, and then get in the mix and then fight someone like Barrera again, and have the view to win a title one more time. He should prove to himself that he will rise to the top again - this is his mental journey for redemption. He needs Adrian to give him a pep talk, Rocky style.