Pascal will beat Kovalev this week.

Amazing how wide most people have this in Kovalev's favour. Check out this fight picks poll I found. Personally I favour Kovalev but Pascal can punch and is dangerous and the fact that he's fighting at home certainly increases his chances of pulling off the upset.

Super middleweight titleholder Andre Ward expects a close fight and is torn on who wins.

“I think it’s going to be a very competitive fight,” Ward told RingTV.com. “It’s a great opportunity for Pascal, and Kovalev has a lot of momentum coming off of the Hopkins victory so it should be a great fight.

Nathan Cleverly, former WBO light heavyweight titlist

Sergey Kovalev KO Jean Pascal: It’s a good fight, a good opponent for Kovalev. Pascal is a world-class fighter, he’s been around that level for a long time. Kovalev is too big, too strong, punches too hard, all around too many tools for Pascal. I think Pascal will move early, he’ll be cagey. He likes to move around on his feet early, he likes to use the ring sometimes/ I think he’ll try that. I think Kovalev will cut the ring down, nice long shots, use his range, use his length and bit by bit break up Pascal and I think he’ll get Pascal out of there. I think mid-to-late rounds. I can’t see Pascal taking Kovalev’s power.

Doug Fischer

Sergey Kovalev by late TKO Jean Pascal: I think Pascal’s awkward/unorthodox and mobile style enables him to trouble the technically sound boxer-puncher in the early rounds, while the former champ’s underrated durability and fighting heart allows him to last into the late rounds once the Russian titleholder begins to zero in on his midsection and cut the ring down. Pascal, who can crack, will have his moments when engaging along the ropes but I think the power, accuracy and combination punching for Kovalev will force a stoppage sometime after the ninth round.

Eleider Alvarez, light heavyweight contender

Jean Pascal UD 12 Sergey Kovalev: Jean Pascal by unanimous decision. He has had perfect preparation. Kovalev is stronger but Pascal’s better. He will surprise Kovalev.

Kenny Adams, trainer of 25 world champions

Sergey Kovalev KO Jean Pascal: I’m going to have to pick Kovalev. I just think he’s shown he can get knocked down (Against Blake Caparello) and get back up and battle and that to me in important and the other guy has shown that at one point in time he might have a little quit in him and he doesn’t take it as good as he gives it. It’s going to have to be a knockout.

Virgil Hill, former two-time light heavyweight champion

Sergey Kovalev mid-round KO Jean Pascal: Kovalev, he’s the man right now, he’s that guy. You know, I’ve seen him get hit with a couple of shots and rocked. He’s a frontrunner, he’s going to go right out there. He’s tall, long, lanky, he’s got good power in both hands and a real tough guy. I kind of question the level of competition [Pascal] has fought compared to Kovalev. I don’t know, unless Kovalev has trouble with southpaws, it’s gonna be a short night. I don’t think it goes the distance. Mid-rounds I think. I think [Pascal is] going to run a little bit, he’s going to try to be elusive, but if Kovalev can cut off the ring and line up that heavy right hand – he has a good left hook to boot – it could be a short night. Just depends on if he can catch up to him.

Glen Johnson, former light heavyweight titlist

Sergey Kovalev KO Jean Pascal: I think Kovalev should win easily inside three, four rounds at most. Pascal is a good fighter and I don’t see that changing but I think the fight should be over in three, four rounds.

Cliff Rold

Sergey Kovalev KO Jean Pascal: Pascal should take Kovalev some rounds and give him some tests with his speed. That’s not enough for the erratic and sometimes sloppy challenger. Kovalev breaks him down and a corner stoppage is possible.

Michael Rosenthal, THE RING Magazine

Sergey Kovalev KO Jean Pascal: I think Jean Pascal has the all-around ability and experience to give Sergey Kovalev some trouble but, in the end, this is the Russian’s time. We know all about his punching power. And he left no doubt against Bernard Hopkins that he has the refined skills to execute a good game plan. He appears to be a complete fighter. I think Kovalev will patiently pick Pascal apart and stop him late. Kovalev KO 10.

Kalle Sauerland, Sauerland Event

Sergey Kovalev KO Jean Pascal: Kovalev wins by KO in the ninth.

Adonis Stevenson, WBC and RING light heavyweight champion

Sergey Kovalev W 12 Jean Pascal: I believe it will be a very good fight. The lack of competitive fights for Pascal since he fought (Bernard) Hopkins and his lack of action will play a role against him. You have to be a puncher and apply pressure to beat Kovalev and I don’t think Pascal can do that. Kovalev will win. Maybe it’s by decision because of Pascal’s strong chin, but I won’t be surprised if it ends in a knockout. Pascal will have his moments, though, especially early on.

And everyone else who was quizzed about it in the article picked Kovalev

Kovalev KO within 8
Kovalev within 9
Kovalev TKO9
Kovalev WUD12
Kovalev TKO8

The final tally was 17-1 in favor of Kovalev

 

Oh, and by the way. You @$%*$ banned me? For saying a naughty word? Seriously??! This site is a joke.

You know what you can do.

[YT]C78HBp-Youk[/YT]

 

Video of Kovalev and Pascal's public workout the other day and interviews with both too (only Kovalev's is in English though).

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2j3zum_kovalev-pascal-entrainement-publique_sport?start=1339

 

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Link to Making the Rounds preview vid of the fight here

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=12446246&categoryid=2491554