Which 175ers in history would you comfortably favour over Sergey Kovalev?

Comfortably? Probably nobody. Narrowly? Probably Spinks, Jones, Charles and maybe Foster.

 

I made a thread awhile back about Kov and Moorer. Many diagreed and made good points but its a fight at 175 that could probably go either way. Sergey is now more proven at 175, but Moorer was able to go to heavy and be competitive. It would be an interesting fight for sure while it lasted.

As far as the original question...Spinks, Foster, Charles, Moore, Tunney, Conn....all present different problems and at this point should be favored to win. That of course may change in the near future if Kov can keep winning and improving himself.

 

Why is Billy Conn overlooked ? Tell me what LH in modern times would overshadow the great 1941 edition of the 200 pound killer that was Joe Louis for 13 rounds ? Answer NONE...
P.S. what the 169 pound Billy Conn did that night against Joe Louis was truly remarkable and should never be forgotten. Billy was a TOUGH dude...

 

Because unlike some people Burt, I'm not retired and have had a busy morning without much time to go through every light heavyweight that came to mind over the past 120 years...

 

Conn instantly comes to mind (first) for be, as do several others. Pastrano, Johnson, Charles, Galindez, Loughran, Foster, et al,...
As much as I am a fan of Sergey today,...and I honestly think that he's the best around this day and age, I also think that he's a work in progress...the best of him hasn't been seen yet.
Back to Conn, I remember the very first time I ever saw him vs Louis, on a "Yesterdays" type program back in the Golden 70's, I remember thinking, and then saying to my dad, that "who the hell would cause Billy Conn any pause in the 175 class, after nearly triumphing over the great Brown Bomber, Joe Louis?" I still don't think anybody in that division would be able to, many years since the 70's.

 

I don't think anybody beats Kovalev EASILY ...

 

I agree with this assessment. Although I would go a bit further and say I definitely favor all of the above to beat Kovalev. And, given Sergey's slightly shaky chin I would definitely make a prime Dwight Qawi a favorite over him as well.

 

I'll be honest-- I haven't studied Conn much. What are his best non-Louis performances?

 

x2. He can be beaten no doubt, but " comfortably, " nah.

 

I have to concur and say that Kov wouldn't be easy for anyone, save for the possible exception of a one shot ko artist like Foster...and yet it seems to me that Foster could be hurt by Kovalev as well.

 

Jones ,Foster Spinks,Charles

 

comfortably? None.

I'd go Charles and Tunney. Then Moore and Spinks.

I'd take KO to KO Foster although I could see that fight being a hard call.

Jones and Moorer get KO'd

I could see Conn outpointing KO, but again that could go either way.

 

Comfortably? None tbh.

There are some I would give him no more than a punchers chance against.

Jones, Foster, Charles, Tunney, Conn, Moore etc.

But with his power he can beat anyone, ever from 175 and below.

 

I am surprised nobody else has mentioned Qawi. There is no way Kovalev is hurting prime Qawi (He went 15 gruling rounds with Cruiserweight Holyfield for Christ's sake), and I don't think Sergey would relish having pitbull Dwight all over him for twelve rounds. If it was scheduled for 15 rounds I would lean towards a Qawi stoppage.