I'd never doubt his skill or technical ability required to win this fight but I just think Kov is a million miles away from where he needs to be mentally. Even from the hospital video he sent out; the general message I took was that he thought Alvarez caught him with a lucky shot, ignoring the fact that he was being handily out boxed at times in the fight. I just can't trust him to go back to the drawing board with a level head and a new fight plan, he's too stubborn.
You are exactly right, I thought he was a changed man after the second Ward loss, because he was accepting he did things wrong. However his new coach has come out and criticised him too, and that’s three coaches now between Sanchez, JDJ and the new guy who all have negative things to say about his professionalism.
His opponents don't fear him anymore which means he can't operate with the offensive impunity he did before. It's the end of the line for the Krusher I'm afraid. Expect McBride like losses in the near future.
Same **** in the Ward rematch. He refused to acknowledge that Ward had any real success in the first fight. And what happened? He came out even more aggressive and gassed again.
Can’t see this ending well for Kovalev. He’s got problems in just about every aspect and the most important of them all - his head. He can’t get focused anymore.
Kovalev isn’t gonna commit to training and suddenly have elite stamina. I doubt he can do better than Jermain Taylor in the Pavlik rematch. Alvarez is a legitimately good fighter.
Got to ride with what seems the consensus (a little surprising to me, if I do say) and say I feel Alvarez repeats the performance. It was so far from a fluke... That said, I do think it deserves to happen and is a good fight.
And move his head once in a while. And grab/hold when hurt. And listen to instructions from his corner.