Where did Kovalevs class/levels show in the fight?

The most important punch in boxing the JAB

 

In every single department Kovalev was better. That’s not a criticism of Yarde by the way as it’s probably the case with most fighters against Kov.

I don’t think you can honestly make a case for Yarde doing anything at all better.

 

Controlling the distance, manouvering and the already mentioned jab.

 

Yep Billy, that's why you sent Bakole in with Hunter without a jab!

 

C'mon mate no need for that.
He answered the Ops question.
Whether one of Billys fighters have a good jab or not is besides the point of the question. I do remember Burns having a fantastic jab and without it he wouldn't of gotton anywhere near as far as he did.

 

Use of the jab, controlling of distance, good footwork, not loading up on everything, pacing (Kovalev did tire, but he got his second wind due to not loading up all the time and boxing smart. Yarde didn't, so that is why he never got his second wind).

All of the above comes with having a good trainer and experience.

 

Jab couldn’t miss and superb timing of it and knowing when to throw something else off the back of it.

 

Swap round 8 around and Yarde would have been sparked out.
Yarde had Kov ready to go but he rushed it - cramped himself at times, didn't try and set up any big shots just winged them in, missed loads of shots and then left himself out of position and out of gas. Watch Froch V Taylor: Froch doesn't panic - sets up his shots - variety and then when hes got his manned pinned keeps the pressure on but doesn't go full power.

Yarde needs a new trainer, a new stance, and to wor on his own jab. Some more tests before he can come back to a world level fight as well- hes proved what a lot of people thought he couldn't fight at someone else's pace - gassed after 5, lack head movement and burns too much energy when he transitions. Lad has potential but lot of work needed

Kov pained him with the jab - fitting he stopped him with one Yarde has to get his head moving otherwise he wont last at any level. Kov controlled the pace of the fight - if doubt jab reset then go again and if the opening is there put something else with it. The only time Yarde had success is when he tried marching forward behind the high guard. Kov varied his jab to chest, body and more often than not the head later on.

Kov paced the fight he was aware of his own stamina - once or twice eased off an attack to make sure he keep the pressure on while not putting himself in danger.

Fight should have been stopped at the end of the 10th either by the ref or by Yardes corner. He was done.

 

lmao at posters talking like it was some kind of epic, enshrined in memory beatdown. It really wasn't.

He outclassed Yarde in ring fitness and his jab mainly. Sure, there were old vet smarts at play like the way he was slipping and countering in close.

But the fact remains; when Yarde had energy, he was matching Kovalev punch for punch and latterly connecting to the body at will, shaking Kov up badly.

 

Being robbed in the first Ward fight clearly took something out of him mentally, he has never been thew same since.

 

There's been a fair bit mentioned about Mcgirt saying to Kovalev in the corner after the 8th that if he took one more shot like that he was pulling him out. What we didn't get was what Kovalev said in addition to his "No, No, No" which was translated into "Why? he's punched himself out", which we saw visually from Anthony lying on the ropes after the swing and miss and then facing the canvas during the next exchange. He was done.

 

Yarde only won the 8th, it was a good fight but one in which he was competitive but totally dominated and the only reason he lasted that long imo is because Kovalev is about 60% of the beast he once was.

Get a new trainer, start quality sparring and Yarde will have a better run next time.

 

It’s already been said but it was down to the jab. Kovalev used it brilliantly to the head and body. He dictated the pace of the fight with it, and stopped Yarde from building any kind of platform in which to do his own work.

Kovalev’s footwork and distance was also superior, thanks again to the jab. He would step off the jab, reset, jab, step off again. Kovalev actually seemed resigned to winning on points from the beginning imo. He doesn’t seem to have that power he once and pushes his shots. I don’t think he can hurt Canelo imo.

Yarde should work on using that jab more. The frequency and the variation. I think he’ll have learned a lot from Kovalev in that department hopefully.