Sergey Kovalev vs Bektemir Melikuziev is set for January 30th

Bektemir Melikuziev had a great amateur career. This is not a wise choice of opponent for the faded Kovalev, coming off a KO loss.

It's a lose-lose situation for Sergey: he'll get no credit if he wins. And if Kovalev loses, the loss will look bad on paper because Melikuziev has only had 6 pro fights and most people don't know the Uzbek has been a top amateur.

This could be the end of Kovalev's career.

 

I watched a few videos of Bektimir. After watching three or four videos, I don't think I saw the guy throw a jab.

He has good foot movement and command of distance but often fights with his hands down or carried very wide.

He is sometimes there to be hit. A good technical fighter, throwing straight punches with some pop will be able to hit him.

That used to be Kovalev. I'm not sure if it still is.

Kovalev, even a run down Kovalev, should take this one. Unless he's been hitting the bottle.

I got to pick Kovalev for the win.

 

I was live at Bektemir's fight vs Oscar Cortez and man that kid can punch every time he landed on Cortez it sounded like a shotgun going off. fighting Kovalev now is a big step up and Sergey should be the favorite but if Bektemir lands clean IDK if Kovalev can take it at this point.