The State of Kovalev: on the decline?

Yes, he's past it.

 

I’d say he’s 20
Percent declined
Still elite at 175
He proved many of us wrong with Alvarez

 

What a way to exaggerate. Kovalev’s athleticism isn’t quite the same due to age, but he clearly still has a lot of power. Alvarez just happens to have a good chin. If Kovalev lost his power Alvarez would’ve been walking right through his punches, which Alvarez didn’t dare to do in either fight.

 

He was timid and afraid of getting hit by a guy that isn't a notable puncher. His chin isn't coming back...and when you are a stylistic bully, this is a big problem. Lets be honest...Alvarez fought a terrible fight. I don't mean this as a slight to SK, it's just the reality of the situation, in my humble opinion.

 

The way Kovalev reacted to Alvarez's few punches told me all I needed to know. I'm not trying to sell you or anybody else, but I know what I saw...again I'm not rooting against the guy and I have no ill will toward him. There is an early stoppage in his future...in my humble opinion.

 

I thought he was Russian, quite impressed he has his own country, even I feel it isn't enjoying the best of times.

 

Physicall yes, but hes still sharp, agile, and powerful. If he ca. Learn how to box smart then hes gonna be tough to beat.

 

Lost by ko then fight the same dude and win an almost shut out points victory? You might want to look up the word 'decline' in a dictionary!

 

It got annexed by Russia

 

IMO, quite clearly/noticeably and starting to even become significantly.

1. Punch resistance, reflexes, hand and foot speed are all among the first athletic traits a fighter begins to lose.

2. Stamina is among the next things fighters generally lose because of their advancement in age their bodies dont produce the same amount of testosterone they used to, so they cant work out anywhere near as hard or long and can't jam as much into a training camp.

3. Some of their skills see a sudden drop off because they cant train enough and long enough to keep them sharp so they atrophy, and also compounding this is #2 on the list, when a fighter is gassed that draws a lot of attention away from other aspects of their performance while in a fight.

 

I think we have seen a clear and closing in on significant decline in all 3 of the points I listed above. Without question, he is on the decline. When he said overtraining was the reason in his opinion of why he lost to Alvarez and Ward, I thought it was arrogant excuse making. Put into perpective now, I actually believe it now.

Let me also say though that I think he has contributed a fair bit to the progression of his decline due to some of his unhealthy choices outside of boxing like drinking -- especially blackout drunk drinking WHILE IN CAMP. That's crazy.

 

Of course he is 35...