The decline of Kovalev's power...

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Brixton Bomber, Jan 2, 2020.


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  1. Brixton Bomber

    Brixton Bomber Obsessed with Boxing banned Full Member

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    What's the reasoning for this?

    Poor lifestyle choices? One too many cuts to LHW?
     
    Brixton Bomber, Jan 2, 2020
    Brixton Bomber, Jan 2, 2020
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  2. lobk

    lobk Original ESB Member Full Member

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    I think he still has power. I think it is his lack of committing to the punch. He is weary of getting countered and going down. A young Kovalev threw punches with conviction and didn't worry about eating a punch in return.
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2020
    lobk, Jan 2, 2020
    lobk, Jan 2, 2020
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  3. CST80

    CST80 De Omnibus Dubitandum Staff Member

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    His power outgrew light heavyweight, but his body didn't. He's gotten spindly and scrawny, lacks definition and looks depleted instead of getting fat. Basically what I'm saying is, he has no issue making weight, but has the body of an old man now. He could move up to cruiserweight, pack on some muscle, he'd be a lot healthier, but he's too damn small and he'd get massacred there. So he's dealing with a real catch-22. Which is why he should retire.
     
    CST80, Jan 2, 2020
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  4. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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    Kovalev has only dropped and really hurt one opponent in his last 7 fights as a result of his power (the Yarde KO was due to attrition and exhaustion) and that was the chinny Shabranskyy. This is in complete contrast to back when he was in his prime because that Kovalev obviously wielded huge power and he dropped, hurt, badly hurt or knocked out virtually everyone who shared a ring with him, including some seriously tough SOBs and some of the most iron-jawed fighters in the game.

    He's been coming in light of late too, like 180-182lbs, and I don't like that at all. But he came in light against Sillakh (181) and sparked him out cold in brutal fashion in under 4 minutes. But even then his punches clearly looked much heavier. Look at how heavy they looked and sounded back when he was in his prime and against Pascal when he come in heavier.

    This content is protected


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    Serge, Jan 2, 2020
    Serge, Jan 2, 2020
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  5. Brixton Bomber

    Brixton Bomber Obsessed with Boxing banned Full Member

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    Great vids, so what's the reason for the decline?
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2020
    Brixton Bomber, Jan 2, 2020
    Brixton Bomber, Jan 2, 2020
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  6. GeorgeDeservesAMedal

    GeorgeDeservesAMedal Member banned Full Member

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    Poor lifestyle choices and doesn’t put as much into training as he used to. Just a different fighter now that has NOT aged well.

    Prime Kovalev was a top 3 All Time Puncher at 175
     
    GeorgeDeservesAMedal, Jan 2, 2020
    GeorgeDeservesAMedal, Jan 2, 2020
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  7. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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    I'm not entirely sure. Like CST said, he looks spindly and scrawny now and I think the Vodka abuse coupled with him coming in so light, especially given his age, and just age caught up with him. Some fighters just burn out quickly and he seems to be one of them. And obviously not living right will hasten your demise. I think getting robbed of all his titles against Ward took a lot out of him mentally too.

    Prime Kovalev was a legit savage punching beast who was widely and rightfully regarded as one of the top 3 most devastating punchers in the sport and had he got the decision against Ward he would've been ranked P4P#1, whereas this version looks like an emaciated shot ghost of the prime one.
     
    Serge, Jan 2, 2020
    Serge, Jan 2, 2020
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  8. Nopporn

    Nopporn Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Kovalev is not done yet. He will make a comeback very soon.
     
    Nopporn, Jan 2, 2020
    Nopporn, Jan 2, 2020
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  9. pistal47

    pistal47 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Aging, poor training and lifestyle habits, rapid deterioration of type II muscle fibers -- the explosive ones which are the first to decline -- due to age and poor lifestyle choices, and lastly I think his central nervous system has been shot since the 1st Ward fight. He was never able to take a good shot again and his power disappeared since that fight. CNS plays a big part -- mind/muscle connection, its what recruits the muscle fibers to contract. Thats why I'm not a huge fan of guys having long amateur careers, they are putting a liad of mileage before they even turn pro.

    Basically, he got old and well on his way to completely shot. His lifestyle choices I bet greatly accelerated the decline and so did the mileage.
     
    pistal47, Jan 2, 2020
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  10. pistal47

    pistal47 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He does look scrawny AF now, like others said, and thats due to his type II muscle fibers eroding. He was an extremely explosive puncher when he was younger, not anymore. Explosive guys gas much quicker. And explosive punching goes way before heavy handed power. Beterbiev will carry power very late.

    If you ever get your blood drawn after a serious drinking binge, there will be a motherload of creatine kinasse in your blood -- an indication there has been a massive breakdown in muscle fiber -- its one of the easier ways to check for cardiac issues because it can indicate breakdown of the heart muscle tissue.
     
    pistal47, Jan 2, 2020
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  11. Eel87

    Eel87 Active Member Full Member

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    Can you explain the CNS a little more please?
     
    Eel87, Jan 2, 2020
    Eel87, Jan 2, 2020
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  12. Dance84

    Dance84 Unicorn and seastar land Full Member

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    Hmmmmm.

    The Krusher


    Is no longer what he was
     
    Dance84, Jan 2, 2020
    Dance84, Jan 2, 2020
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  13. Lazar

    Lazar Boxing Addict Full Member

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    As someone else mentioned already, I think it’s the fear of commitment to his punches. Young Kovalev was not afraid to walk through some fire to deliver his own.
     
    Lazar, Jan 2, 2020
    Lazar, Jan 2, 2020
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  14. POTUS

    POTUS Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Chain smoking Cigarettes & Vodka every night for two decades
     
    POTUS, Jan 2, 2020
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  15. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Nah, Spinks >, Foster >, Moore >
     
    George Crowcroft, Jan 2, 2020
    George Crowcroft, Jan 2, 2020
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