Yarde is probably the biggest puncher Kovalev’s been in with.

Kovalev had a very extensive amateur career and fought a **** ton of fighters in the amateurs that could BANG. I know its different from the pro game, especially the gloves, but chin/durability issues only arose for Kovalev when he got up there in age and rumors spread of his severe alcohol abuse. He will always have these chin and durability issues the rest of his career and life, but no way is Yarde the hardest puncher he's ever faced, not even close. The good thing for Yarde is you really dont even have to be able to bang to dent this version of Kovalev, and regardless of how far-fetched it is, he does have a legit shot to do it.

 

Have I been in a coma and it's April 1st already.

Yard has fought no one thus far skipped the British scen3 and fought bin men and cab drivers.

Can yarde win who knows, because he is protected.

It's unknown yarde vs known kolarev and on paper there is only one winner

 

Silakh is the biggest hitter Kovalev's fought. I'd say not a world beater but Cornelius White is also a bigger hitter. I'd say Yarde probably hits as hard as Pascal, maybe harder but who knows. His comp hasn't been amazing.

 

Yarde's chin already got tested was pushed to it's limit by the french journeyman Tony Averlant who backed him up in the first half of the fight with his jab alone.

That fight tells us all we need to know about his level. This is the equivalent of Conor Benn leaping from fighting the likes of Cedrick Peynaud to travelling to America and fighting Manny Pacquiao

 

Know what you’re saying, the difference in experience and technical ability on paper is silly. Only thing though, Kovalev might not quite be what he was, all these legal troubles over him and the rumoured drink problems.

But you’d have to think the prospect of fighting Canelo next should be enough to have motivated and focused him to win this.

 

Kovalev is fighting in his home town in front of his own friends and family. Putin himself will no doubt be in attendance or be watching at home with a keen eye.

You can be certain Kovalev will be 100% committed and dedicated to the cause.

Kovalev understands there is going to be pressure and will leave no stone unturned in his preparations.

Yarde is in for serious beating.

Mark my words.

 

Logic says yarde will whooped but being a Brit and a Liverpool fan I will always believe in the impossible

Come on yarde

 

I haven't watched a lot of Yarde, but from what I have seen he's fairly basic and does not actually possess great punching technique. He seems to want to be a slick boxer puncher, keeping his left hand low and throwing right hand leads, but none of it looks all that effective and he leaves himself open.

Kovalev would have to be truly decrepit to lose to this guy.

 

Don't see it..

He's fought no one! Think you're a bit too impressed with his muscles..

 

Bigger muscles makes the better boxer

 

That’s how I see it as well

 

I hate this whole punchers chance talk, it's a boxing match everyone has a punchers chance. Kovalev is his own worst enemy and the only way he looses this fight is if he doesn't bother training and drinks to much which isn't unlikely since Yarde is a novice with subpar skills, Krusher might just brush him off as just another bum. On the other hand, fighting in his hometown might actually make him focus on putting on a good show. The ball's in Sergey's court.

 

I don't get Yarde's handlers. How do you go from fighting bums, to fighting Kovalev? You have to have a step up fight to know that your guy won't drown. Step up opponents would have been Chilemba, Johnson, Browne, Pascal, Barrera etc. Looking at Yarde's resume it looks like he's been matched with all domestic and Euro level guys.