Sergey Kovalev

Henno30

Anyone been watching this guy? He's looked sensational anytime I've seen him and he steamrolled Cornelius White on Friday night. Freddie Roach described him in commentary as the best prospect in the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNokhPAGwOM

He destroyed a legit operator in Gabriel Campillo earlier this year as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJCWrDPG2GI

He's called out Hopkins but I can't see it happening.

Frank Gallagher pissed

Been watching him myself a bit. Guy is a definite future no1 LHW in the world. In fact put him in with Stevenson, Shumenov, Cleverly or Hopkins and I think he stops all of them. Hes Hopkins mandatory now, I highly doubt Bernard will want to face him. Apparently Cleverly could be fighting him, if so its good night for him.

Henno30

I wouldn't mind seeing Komrade Kovalev deal out some soviet style justice to Stevenson someday.

Henno30

The IBF have ordered Hopkins vs Kovalev - http://www.badlefthook.com/2013/6/17/4439210/bernard-hopkins-vs-sergey-kovalev-ordered-by-ibf

Let's see where this goes.

Frankie Lee

I can see Hopkins vacating and fighting Stevenson instead then retiring on a high note. Kovalev is too dangerous.

Henno30

Frankie Lee wrote: »

I can see Hopkins vacating and fighting Stevenson instead then retiring on a high note. Kovalev is too dangerous.

Schaefer already saying that the fight might not be that 'attractive', that not many people know who Kovalev is. Murat on the other hand was a global icon I suppose.

Kovalev is bound to get opportunities though, he's made for TV. He's like a light heavyweight Manny Pacquiao.

el flaco

Frank warren is looking for Cleverly to take on Kovalev in his next outing in August.

Dick phelan

el flaco wrote: »

Frank warren is looking for Cleverly to take on Kovalev in his next outing in August.

Yep press conference there today anncouncing Clev fighting on Augest 17th saying it will most likely be Kovalev Cleverly is in deep if thats the case he could well get himself sparked in this in fact i'd put money on it that he will be sparked have never been very impressed wiht Nathan while Kovalev looks an animal
Also go Frank Warren has an absolute bitter hatered of Carl Froch even at Nathan Clev press conference today he goes on about look who Froch fought at 26 years old ect in response to clev not fighting big names, Ah Frank Carl turned pro at 25 you fool he really is bitter that Hearn has the biggest and best fighter in the UK just shut up about Froch and concentrate on getting your fighters good fights, i guarentee with Warrens recent history it will turn out not to be Kovalev bet it will be another no name bum Warren cant get big fights done

Big Ears

el flaco wrote: »

Frank warren is looking for Cleverly to take on Kovalev in his next outing in August.

I'd be confident enough that should a bill promoted by Frank Warren actually transpire on the 17th of August and Nathan Cleverly is part of it, that Kovalev will not be his opponent.

Henno30

Hopkins says he respects the IBF decision - http://www.boxingscene.com/hopkins-on-kovalev-i-respect-accept-ibfs-decision--66785

Don't know if that means he'll fight Kovalev or not.

Big Ears

Henno30 wrote: »

Hopkins says he respects the IBF decision - http://www.boxingscene.com/hopkins-on-kovalev-i-respect-accept-ibfs-decision--66785

Don't know if that means he'll fight Kovalev or not.

Hmm interesting...
I actually think technically BHOP has all the tools to give Kovalev some serious problems. But Kovalev just hits too damn hard, and I mean that for anyone at 175 lbs. Even glancing blows from him seem to have a monumental effect.

But he's certainly not the 'complete' fighter Dan Rafael trys to make him out to be. He's got his flaws, and that's to be expected from a man who has only been a pro less than 4 years.

el flaco

Kathy Duva has said that a deal for Cleverly v Kovalev has been finalised.

http://www.badlefthook.com/2013/6/21/4452322/cleverly-vs-kovalev-finalized-for-august-17-hbo-to-televise

Henno30

Kovalev is keeping the mandatory slot isn't he? That's what I heard anyway.

I should have known when B-Hop was saying he'd take the fight that the Kovalev-Cleverly deal was as good as done.

Henno30

Kovalev sparring session

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7pnEbXOU0Q

gene_tunney

Andre Ward would jack him up

Henno30

gene_tunney wrote: »

Andre Ward would jack him up

No shame in that.

gene_tunney

Henno30 wrote: »

No shame in that.

Henno30

Looks like the Stevenson-Kovalev fight is dead as Haymon has poached Stevenson away from HBO. Stevenson jumped at the opportunity to get away from the Kovalev fight by the looks of it. Most likely we'll seem knock out a few tomato cans and eventually fight Hopkins instead.

Johner

Stevenson doesn't seem the type to duck anyone. More money in a fight with Hopkins.

walshb

pac_man wrote: »

That's very frustrating.Is Hopkins even a pay per view fighter? He's horrible to watch

g.

Couldn't agree more. 10 punches a round. Posing and ducking and diving.

megadodge

walshb wrote: »

Couldn't agree more. 10 punches a round. Posing and ducking and diving.

Good to see we still agree on some things. I hate watching Hopkins.

gene_tunney

lol @ people who had Hopkins in their P4P lists recently. Probably the same clowns who had Carl Froch on it. #Clueless

walshb

megadodge wrote: »

Good to see we still agree on some things. I hate watching Hopkins.

I would say that we agree on most things boxing!

megadodge

walshb wrote: »

I would say that we agree on most things boxing!

Actually the more I think of it, we agree on an awful lot more than we disagree on. It's just when we disagree, we REALLY don't agree

Frankie Lee

pac_man wrote: »

It seems like a good few fighters have signed for the mysterious Haymon recently. I never understood why fighters are nearly obliged to thank him after a fight. It's annoying.

The consequential addition of the Watson family in the fighters entourage is another annoying outcome of fighters signing for Haymon.

HigginsJ

What channel has the Kovalev fight tonight?

RezwoK

HigginsJ wrote: »

What channel has the Kovalev fight tonight?

It's not on TV unfortunately.

walshb

megadodge wrote: »

Actually the more I think of it, we agree on an awful lot more than we disagree on. It's just when we disagree, we REALLY don't agree

Why must we always remember the bad times!;)

Henno30

walshb wrote: »

Couldn't agree more. 10 punches a round. Posing and ducking and diving.

For most fighters, jumping out of a ring to get out of a fight would be embarrassing. When Hopkins does it, it's philly street smarts from back in the day.

Henno30

Anyone else watch Stevenson-Fonfara last night?

On the basis of that performance, Kovalev murders Stevenson if they ever get in the ring together.

Talib Fiasco

Yeah a B-Hop UD seems very likely when him and Adonis meet...

walshb

Henno30 wrote: »

Anyone else watch Stevenson-Fonfara last night?

On the basis of that performance, Kovalev murders Stevenson if they ever get in the ring together.

I always thought that Kovalev would beat him. I didn't think Adonis' performance was too bad. That Pole was big and tough.

The Pole showed nastiness at the final bell. At least 2 seconds after he got in a nasty and deliberate left hook to Stevenson.

As for Hop. Stevenson should go through him on points.

walshb

Talib Fiasco wrote: »

Yeah a B-Hop UD seems very likely when him and Adonis meet...

No. Not to me. Adonis is a skilful and busy and strong boxer. Hop is a spoiling messer who clings and duck and steals for 36 minutes. He won't get away with that against Superman.

Talib Fiasco

The only way I see Stevenson beating B-Hop is a one punch KO and I think Hopkins is too smart and sneaky to let that happen...also Adonis tires after the middle rounds.... I can only see him beating B-Hop by being busy all night and tbh I can't see that happening. Also if Hopkins magically gets old during the fight... It should be an interesting match up, doubt the fight will be very exciting though. But sure we'll have to see!

Henno30

Talib Fiasco wrote: »

The only way I see Stevenson beating B-Hop is a one punch KO and I think Hopkins is too smart and sneaky to let that happen...also Adonis tires after the middle rounds.... I can only see him beating B-Hop by being busy all night and tbh I can't see that happening. Also if Hopkins magically gets old during the fight... It should be an interesting match up, doubt the fight will be very exciting though. But sure we'll have to see!

His bodywork was pretty good last night, and Hopkins is very, very old. I'd have more confidence in Stevenson if he looked to have a better gas tank himself. His workrate dropped off significantly in the middle rounds.

Even if he had that, his lack of variety is an issue. It's just 1-2 1-2 1-2 over and over again. He's a superb athlete, but he's limited and predictable.

Spazdarn

It's in Stevenson's interest to stay away from Kovalev as long as possible. Think he takes a fairly bad beating, and loses big money fights with the possibly beatable B-Hop.

Henno30

His fight with Fonfara did horrible ratings. Only about 670k. I hope this puts to bed the notion that HBO scuttled the Kovalev fight by not offering Stevenson enough money. I hope B-Hop takes him and he's forced to fight Kovalev for peanuts. It's all he deserves.

Henno30

Kovalev and B-Hop facing off at the press conference today



Still can't believe this fight is actually happening.

walshb

Hope Kovalev pulverizes Hop. Hop is all that is bad about boxing. Horribly negative and spoiling style. I respect him, but cannot at all warm to him.

FTA69

Hop's a legend who deserves massive amounts of respect for his accomplishments and for still fighting at this level today.

Henno30

walshb wrote: »

Hope Kovalev pulverizes Hop. Hop is all that is bad about boxing. Horribly negative and spoiling style. I respect him, but cannot at all warm to him.

I don't expect Kovalev will get much help from the officials either.

The feel good story for the Americans here is their old master defeating a dangerous machine. Not their old master getting steamrolled by some Russian.

Henno30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n3-4D5p4f8

Henno30

Hopkins-Kovalev 24/7 - http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2892ls_hbo-24-7-hopkins-vs-kovalev-episode-i_auto

Talib Fiasco

YT link for anyone who hasn't seen it:

Henno30

The closer it gets the fight, the more I hope that Kovalev destroys him.

Talib Fiasco

I love Hopkins so much and would love if he won but I can't see him not getting KO'd. Kovalev's boxing skills are very underrated and everyone knows about his power. I just hope Stevenson will stop being a p*ssy and man up and fight the winner. Would love nothing more than Kovalev destroying him.

walshb

Win/lose/draw utmost respect for an almost 50 year old man engaging with the division's most deadly fighter. BHop is a technician, a boxing scholar. Expect it t be an ugly and boring maul.

Henno30

I think a lot of people are thinking about the Hopkins of 5-10 years ago when they're talking about this fight. B-Hop, to me at least, looks significantly more frail and sluggish than he once was.

Even if he was still as good as the Hopkins that beat Pavlik, Kovalev is on a very different level as an athlete to Kelly and is a significantly bigger threat in almost every way.

What pains me about this fight though, is the very fact that B-Hop will pull every horrible stunt and trick in the book to avoid losing, and that he will probably get away with it because of who he is.

In the absence of a strong referee, Kovalev will be held and headbutted all night long, and will probably have points deducted himself because of Hopkins claiming he's been low-blowed or something similar.

For that reason I think Kovalev just has to go out and lay down fire and put his stamp on things very early on. Sure there's a risk of gassing, but the risk of Hopkins settling into a slow-paced fight is much, much greater.

walshb

Kovalev's coach, Jackson said it. If he lets BHop dictate the pace it could be a tough night. Kovalev needs to fight hard and fast.

boxer.fan

I keep trying to make a case in my head for Hopkins & his inventory of tactics, but I can't get past the fact that Kovalev is the real deal.
Shumenov wasn't much of a challenge & Dawson, who is not up to much either was giving Hop real trouble before the bizarre ending.
End of the line for the executioner I fear after a great career.

megadodge

boxer.fan wrote: »

I keep trying to make a case in my head for Hopkins & his inventory of tactics, but I can't get past the fact that Kovalev is the real deal.
Shumenov wasn't much of a challenge & Dawson, who is not up to much either was giving Hop real trouble before the bizarre ending.
End of the line for the executioner I fear after a great career.

Dawson beat him comfortably in the rematch.