Kovalev vs Cleverly for the WBO LHW strap.

I like Cleverly, and am probably more of a Clev fan than a Kovalev fan, but usually dont vote with my heart.

I just think this was a bad fight for Nate to take. He can't outbox Kovalev and unless theres a hidden crack in that chin, I cant see any way of Clev ending that fight on his own two feet.:-(

 

Of course, Sergey should KO Cleverly, in a fair world.

However, I no longer believe there is such a thing as a non-fixed boxing match, so I think the outcome of this fight will be whatever makes the bookies and promoters the most money.

Reasoning this way, Knowing that most betting will be on Kovalev and on the under, but also that Kovalev is one of HBO's new favorites, I predict that Cleverly will win by a "controversial (OH NO!) decision. Then, they will have an immediate rematch, in which Sergey will be allowed to KO Nathan.

After about a year, there will be a third bout between them, probably with a few "guaranteed" wins for Cleverly in-between. Expect massive promotion for this one from HBO.


You can pretty much bank on all of this.

 

the more i watch this kovalev, the more i think he's a beast.

 

for now, I have Kovalev by KO, sometime around round 7-8

Cleverly is fast, but he has no power, and is also very prone to getting hit, Kovalev is the better technical fighter, with the better boxing skills, and I just can't see Clev taking this

I will have huge respect for Cleverly if he can pull this one off

 

My, my, aren't you the cynic? That said I tend to think in similar terms myself, but I just don't think the fight makers plan that far ahead - too many variables - bird in the hand an' all that. What is clear is that HBO like Kovalev 'cos he gets the big KOs. I think that unless Clev changes something drastically the US networks are never gonna care. I'm figuring (hoping) that HBO have thrown enough $s at it to make it worth the risk for F W and Clev - after all Clevs career was stagnating and he was getting a lot of flack for not stepping up. And if he loses - so what - he'll still be a domestic draw (which is all he is now), in fact will probably generate more interest as he struggles to get a belt back.

That, of course, does not mean that Clev won't get the hometown decision if it goes the distance, but I'm hoping it'll be a relatively fair fight.

I'll know it's not gonna be OK if the Nelson tag team (father and son ref and judge) are officiating though. They've been bought over from the states as 'neutrals' for a coupla Clevs fights, and the dodgy Kuziemski stoppage (after he'd buzzed Clev the previous round) was one of theirs.


The result? Kovalev TKO4-6. If Clev can stay on his bike early rounds though, and Kovs stamina ain't all that, Clev might drag out the PTS.

 

Should be in intriguing fight to tell us a lot about the LHW division.
I think on paper Kovalev is wrong for Cleverly: one of biggest punchers in the division and a big step up for Cleverly, who gets hit a lot by inferior opposition. He has a chance if he fights smart, fights on the inside well not allowing Kovalev load up on his shots and keep up a high workrate. But at the odds (4/5) I think Kovalev might be the best odds. Unless Cleverlys chin is proves to be really granite, he could very well be hitting the deck in this one.

 

Clev's in danger of getting Koed without a doubt.

If he's not out in 5-6 rounds I feel the puncher is going to be gassed and then its going to by a clinic from the Welshman with his speed, and stamina taking the card by UD

 

This will be a borderline mis-match in favour of Cleverly. HBO hype job Kovalev will lose via 120-108 shutout and 5 years from now when Kovalev is exposed as a complete nobody, you guys will wash your hands of him just like you did to the likes of Pavlik, Taylor, Dawson, Lacy etc claiming :

"Kovalev was never any good"
"Who did Kovelev ever beat"

 

I feel Kovalev has a punchers chance vs anybody with his power in both hands.
When it comes to boxing and lasting the distance. I think he's not answered any of those questions yet.
Clev has a great chin and I don't see Kovalev knocking him out so we'll find out if Kovalev is hype or not when the final bell rings.

The early signs of the poll show Clev with an early lead. Seems the bookies got it wrong.

 

Agreed, although I don't think it will be a shut-out, maybe more 8-4 to Cleverly, Cornelius White has a glass jaw and has never beaten anyone, and Campillo was WOEFULLY underprepared for his fight with Kovalev, this is a massive step up for him and his first true test

 

No, it just seems the amount of Brits on this forum is disproportionate.

 

That's the thing tho' Kovalev hasn't been hyped, he didn't even have anyone to go to his own presser for fvcks sake. He was only signed with Main Events 2 fights ago and they've done nothing to big him up. His only fan/official site is a bungled together DIY job that I coulda done in half an hour. HBO only just took an interest. Thing is he just kept knocking guys out 'til someone paid attention. Even to a lot of ethusiasts he's pretty much come out of nowhere.

If Clev can manage a convincing win over Kovalev, I'll be sold on him. So far tho', it's hard to argue that Clev, whatever his abilities, has proven them against dangerous opposition. Hyperbole aside HB, how do you see the fight going? If you haven't seen Kovalevs last few fights it might be worth a look. Those ain't ragdolls in the ring with him - Clevs gonna need to fight smart in this unless there really is some Welsh 'Wizardry' going on.

Who is 'you guys' anyway? The only one of the above fighters I thought was pretty special was Sad Chad, an' I wasn't at all surprised when he was beaten by Ward.

 

This is one reason I'm backing Clev. That was Campillo on his worst night. Kovalev still doesn't really have significant experience. As all others said, a Kovalev KO is certainly on the table, but barring that or multiple KD's I don't see how he gets a decision against a home fighter who will be throwing more punches.