has shown me more skills than two other guys that fans think can punch.
I'm talking about GG and Matthysse.
Kovalev hits harder than GG and Matthysse, and imo he boxes better than those two combined.
I was very impressed with Kovalev's technique, power, brutality, and humbleness. Kovalev showed a jab, killer hook to the body, pressure, heavy shots and non stop aggression. He has to hold his hands up a bit better to block occasional jabs...which can be taught, but I like the smoothness of his style.
But like any puncher, I have to see if he can take a good shot from a good fighter.
Very impressed, and it's hard to impress Frank D.
I am sold on Kovalev's talent, but not sold on him as a fighter yet.
He has to get his hands up higher. Against Cleverly, he new that he couldn't be hurt, and just went for the kill. He got hit with a few jabs, but Cleverly's jabs were pillows. Kovalev may not fight like that all of the time.
As his comp escalates, he will be forced to slow down and think.
a lot of european fighters let the front hand drift low and hang out there. they're using it to help them guage distance without allowing an opponent a static lead hand to help them time you and get the distance right.
as he finds himself with an opponent that doesn't let him dictate the pace and distance of the fight he'll have to be more responsible when they're in range.
I am sold on Kovalev's talent, but not sold on him as a fighter yet.
He has to get his hands up higher. Against Cleverly, he new that he couldn't be hurt, and just went for the kill. He got hit with a few jabs, but Cleverly's jabs were pillows. Kovalev may not fight like that all of the time.
As his comp escalates, he will be forced to slow down and think.
Against who he has faced so far, he's never had to rely on his stamina.
:lol1: exactly the same thing can be said about kovalev...
I'm glad to see people notice the skill in kovalev's approach to dismantle cleverly...he didn't just demolish him, he outboxed him from the offset
the trouble with kovalev is that he attacks from up close but he's not an inside fighter...I'm curious to see how he'd fare against a fighter like ward who is very hard to hit up close
to me GGG is the more complete fighter but I've never seen kovalev having to adapt...if he's able to he's right up there
I think GGG is the better boxer, as for the biggest puncher its hard to say but i think lucas comes last in the category, dont ask why, prob because he was hitting the adjose dude flush many times but he didnt go down, he broke him down.
Would anyone be interested in ward vs kovalev or Froch vs kovalev???
Kovalev may be around for a while. To me, his biggest weakness, is he comes in with his chin up when he digs in those massive flurries. He could get caught during them, but opponents so far do not even dare to try to punch back when under that type of attack, their mode of thinking is just trying to survive that storm.
His biggest asset is not even his Power, it is his strength and punch reflexes that are amazing. That left hook seems to be on auto program as soon as his legs are in range. No Windup, no hesitation, it is like it is in perpetual motion. It does not even look he is putting his body into that shot, but it sends his opponents reeling like it had a ton of weight behind it.
Lucas has fought the better competition, but I can't confidently say that Lucas is better than those two. Imo he's not. I think Kovalev and GGG are much more complete. Have much better defense as well.
totally agree, i wasnt trying to say lucas was the better boxer, just that he is more proven pro than the other 2,, fighting guys like soto, judah, alexander are slightly better than the comp that ggg and kovolev have fought...
and lucas has been in there with movers like judah and alexander,,,
something ggg and kovolev have yet to experience....
Thats why i wanna see ggg fight mora,, that should be a good test,,,
and kovolez should try and find a slick mover that can give him rounds before he goes for a ward or hopkins, imo..
Does he really fight at too fast a pace? I don't think he wasted a lot against Cleverly. Obviously he threw a huge amount when he knew he had his man but other than that he seemed precise.
Who can he fight at light heavy with the chin or elusiveness to give him rounds?
There is something just special about Kovalex IMO, I think Matthyse and GGG can be outbox but for some reason I don't see that happening with Kovalev, don't I want to see how he does in the next 2 fights to say more about him.
I do agree with Frank to an extent.
I think GGG is a better boxer, but I definitely think Kovalev is a much better boxer than Matthysse, and I mean a lot better. Kovalev's hooks don't loop, and he has much better hand speed and can slip punches a lot better. Plus he has some head movement.
Matthysse's boxing ability is getting underrated now because he's coming out swinging like a madman. Before they started robbing him he looked like an accomplished boxer.
I think the only flaw in kovolev is that he fights at such a rate early, that i think if you can weather the storm, he could tire, or not be as big of a puncher late in fights,,,
thats my only question mark about kovolev.....
GGG, lucas, and kovolev are all in the same category in terms of punchers,,,,
just different weight classes.....
lucas has fought the best competition and has shown he can go the distance..
GGG and kovolev have not been tested yet in this department,,,, I wanna see each of these guys in a 10-12 round tough fight before i declare them to be absolute beasts,,,
They are extremely tought early, but some movement and defense maybe these guys achilles heel,,, it usually is for big punchers.......
Lucas has fought the better competition, but I can't confidently say that Lucas is better than those two. Imo he's not. I think Kovalev and GGG are much more complete. Have much better defense as well.
I think the only flaw in kovolev is that he fights at such a rate early, that i think if you can weather the storm, he could tire, or not be as big of a puncher late in fights,,,
thats my only question mark about kovolev.....
GGG, lucas, and kovolev are all in the same category in terms of punchers,,,,
just different weight classes.....
lucas has fought the best competition and has shown he can go the distance..
GGG and kovolev have not been tested yet in this department,,,, I wanna see each of these guys in a 10-12 round tough fight before i declare them to be absolute beasts,,,
They are extremely tought early, but some movement and defense maybe these guys achilles heel,,, it usually is for big punchers.......
Trinidad and manny are the only big punchers in recent years that could do it hard for 12 rounds,,,,
I need to see ggg and kovolev more in the ring vs top guys to say that they will be kingpins for a long time
I think the only flaw in kovolev is that he fights at such a rate early, that i think if you can weather the storm, he could tire, or not be as big of a puncher late in fights,,,
thats my only question mark about kovolev.....
GGG, lucas, and kovolev are all in the same category in terms of punchers,,,,
just different weight classes.....
lucas has fought the best competition and has shown he can go the distance..
GGG and kovolev have not been tested yet in this department,,,, I wanna see each of these guys in a 10-12 round tough fight before i declare them to be absolute beasts,,,
They are extremely tought early, but some movement and defense maybe these guys achilles heel,,, it usually is for big punchers.......
I do agree with Frank to an extent.
I think GGG is a better boxer, but I definitely think Kovalev is a much better boxer than Matthysse, and I mean a lot better. Kovalev's hooks don't loop, and he has much better hand speed and can slip punches a lot better. Plus he has some head movement.
I don't think the fight would be smart for Hopkins. The fears that Roach had for Hopkins vs Pavlik are the fears I would have for Hopkins if he fought Kovalev. I don't ever see Hopkins fighting him.
Kovalev has good punch placement and I don't think Hopkins will be able to move around and get away from him. As a fan of B-Hop I hope this fight doesn't happen.Even at his advanced age, don't ever under estimate BHop-ever! Lol
He'll prove it soon enough. His substantial amateur experience leads me to believe that he won't ever have a "he was exposed" moment. He may and probably will lose but I don't think he will ever be dominated.
This depends entirely on the opponent.
Kovalev seems to be the truth, but I don't think a Hopkins fight would be smart for him. Hopkins knows how to clinch and will do so as soon as Kovalev gets close. I'm pretty sure Hopkins beats him; then again, I thought Cleverly would also :dunno:
That said, I think Kovalev beats Stevenson and most likely the majority of other LHW's
I don't think the fight would be smart for Hopkins. The fears that Roach had for Hopkins vs Pavlik are the fears I would have for Hopkins if he fought Kovalev. I don't ever see Hopkins fighting him.
Kovalev has good punch placement and I don't think Hopkins will be able to move around and get away from him. As a fan of B-Hop I hope this fight doesn't happen.
Against who he has faced so far, he's never had to rely on his stamina.
He'll prove it soon enough. His substantial amateur experience leads me to believe that he won't ever have a "he was exposed" moment. He may and probably will lose but I don't think he will ever be dominated.
Kovalev is definitely a risk for Hopkins but at the same time I don't think he should fight Hopkins.
Hopkins likes that style and is a spoiler, he will trouble Kovalev.
That said, Kovalev isn't Cloud. He has the power to do damage to Hopkins and can cutt off the ring and get into position.
It's a good fight but I'd rather see Kovalev go after Stevenson for the Lineage if he can.I won't doubt Hop, but Kov can fight. He's patient. I love patient fighters.
GGG is always in position to punch and doesn't waste any movements or have any stamina issues.
Against who he has faced so far, he's never had to rely on his stamina.