I disagree somewhat here.I think the following were all good bangers some on a par with,and some harder punchers than Kovalev. Durelle McAvoy J H Lewis Charles Delaney Marshall Stribling Fitzpatrick Cuello Gregory Mwale Jones Jnr Sosa Nardico
Kovalev has nasty heavy handed power. watch closely and you can see the reaction of his opponents just to his jab to body and head. Special power. And a really menacing guy at his best. Ward broke him mentally, but he gained alot of respect for the Alvarez rematch. Not easy to put on a masterclass against a guy who just iced you. Kind of like Norris Vs brown.
He was a vicious puncher who wrung every ounce of power out of his frame, so it's hard to say for certain who would have hit harder. Probably some of the really fast, explosive types, but I wouldn't bet on too many more. Many of the names listed here don't convince.
Foster Spinks Moore Moorer Eddie Mustafa Saad etc. Kovalev is heavy handed no doubt,but he lacks the shocking one punch power. Can you imagine the look on Crushers face when Bob Foster clips him with a left hook?