Sergey Kovalev vs. Blake Caparello & Brandon Rios vs. Diego Gabriel Chaves RBR

The 5th? :rofl Because he closed it stronger?

You know you don't score a round based on who looked better in the last fifteen seconds, right? (unless the rest of it was close enough to be up for grabs)

Novikov at no point hurt Vargas as badly as he was hurt by that 1-2 early on.

Take away that big shot and the 5th was indeed close, but with it, clearly Vargas'.

 

Round 6

Vargas is landing his 1-2 a Novikov takes a page from his book, pumping jabs while circling in close. Vargas lands a flush right cross and sets Novikov back a step again. Novikov rallies with a pair of hard lefts putting Vargas into the corner despite being partially blocked. A solid left hand gets through for Novikov.

10-9 Vargas - another close one, much like the 5th with Novikov closing it stronger but Vargas landing the best stuff and having enough points in the bank to withstand Novikov's late sugre

59-55 Vargas

 

Round 7

Vargas is tossing his 1-2 at the face of Novikov, playing patty-cake. Novikov is clamping his gloves tightly over his face, waiting his turn, backing Vargas up to the ropes and then scooping in hard lefts on the body, almost totally neglecting his right jab. Vargas lingers by the ropes for a moment and Novikov lunges in with a low lead left, then chases Vargas into the middle of the ring with a jab. Sweeping left hook downstairs by Vargas, missing as Vargas steps wide to his left. Straight right by Vargas, Novikov answering with a straight left as Vargas pulls out.

10-9 Novikov, did a good job blocking and scoring on the body. Without having the stats handy, Vargas' worst round for offense, connect rate and work rate.

68-65 Vargas