Sergei Kovalev vs Michael Spinks’ opponents

I'd favor all 3 TBH

 

Who was 36 years old? Kov has only been stopped in his mid 30s...always by younger men. He was also robbed of his best win, being the only man to outbox Ward ever.

Kovalev vs Ward 2- Ward 33, Kov 34 (stopped on clear low blows)
Kovalez vs Eleider 1-Eleider 34, Kov 35
(Not a huge KO ratio but still a big hitter with a tko over Bute, loss avenged.)
Canelo vs Kovalev-Canelo 29, Kov 36 (Is this the same board that dismisses Joe Louis as a walking corpse at 36)

I think your post is selling Kov very short despite his obvious disappointments. Especially if you are bringing age into it, only fair to point out Kov's losses all came after an age Spinks had already checked out, and to younger men. In one case a much younger man rated highly pound for pound, and his other two ....one was cleanly avenged , the other was not without controversy after a controversial first meeting many felt he won and against a man who never lost a fight and many feel is the best pound for pound of his generation....I don't like Ward but two controversial losses...one a close one on points....there are worst fates.

 

Eh- Dwight crushes the Krusher though.

 

Kovalev would get destroyed by Qawi. I would favor him against Gregory and Johnson but it would not shock me if Johnson beat him.

 

He would definitely lose to Qawi. Out of the remaining two, Eddie has the better chance- it's possible he outboxes Kovalev or stops him with body shots. Sergey, in my mind, should beat those two, though.

 

its possible? More then likely a sure thing. with a jab alone eddie mustafa beats kovalov.

 

He's a chance against Pops but i'm not sure i'd risk a bet. Imagine Eddie digging those body shots in.

 

Skill for skill, you're right. But Eddie often switched off in fights.

 

1. Kov was not a young challenger either. He was a 35 year old man. Alvarez certainly isn't a knockout artist, but I dispute your claim he is not a hard banger. Eleider has two significant KOs on his record, in both instances he was coming from behind in the fight.
2. Maybe not in recent years but Kov was Ward's 3rd fight that year, and his 3rd at Light Heavy. Ward if anything is smart, he knew not to go against Kov without losing rust. We know, elite Super Middles having success at Light Heavy is quite common. There was no Super Middle division in Spinks' era so less men "moving up and having success." Ward just isn't some guy either, he never lost a fight Pro or AM in a 20 plus year streak and is largely regarded as one of...if not the best boxers of his generation. I know the facts, but I SAW Kov box Ward better than anyone in two fights that both ended in controversy.
3. Yeah, but Kov was 36 years old and going up against a prime fighter who like Ward, is also pretty damn elite. Kov had also fired a long time trainer a and was trying to adapt a new style in his advanced years. How often has that worked out for fighters?


4. When you believed one of his opponents was 36 you felt the age was significant to point out as a negative. Kov actually being 35 and 36 in two of these losses should be considered then as well.
5. Pascal, Hopkins, and Cleverly would have their spots, but no long term success. I don't think these men truly represent Kov's ceiling either, especially since he was so dominant against them.

It's obvious you are just framing the low points of Kovalev's career in the absolute worst possible light for whatever reason. I don't think I'm even adding that much gloss to them, just pointing out the full context. I don't think Kov's past prime losses and training camp turmoil can be completely excused away, they still showcase some problems he might have always had, we can analyze that, but we don't have to distort it as much as you are to make a point.

 

Prime Yaqui Lopez Johnson Eddie Davis Gregory & Braxton all stop him. John Davis outpoints him. Sutherland Johnson and Ranquillo all have a shot
.

 

It looks like everyone is in agreement that the only win that Kovalev might get is Marvin Johnson. I say might because Pops did stop Victor Galindez and that's a better name than anyone on Kovalev 's resume. Heck in a 15 rounder I'm not sure Kov beats Galindez

 

I used to think Kov was elite. I was wrong. He has a shot against Pops but my money is still on Marvin. Mike blast him out late, and if EMM is on, he does the same.