"Kovalev was afraid of Golovkin"

How do you know he wasn't simply afraid to let his power loose on the smaller man? Tough for power-punching big guys to spar smaller guys.

Golovkin surely has power, but sparring is sparring. Spadafora was beating Mayweather, wasn't he? Most of the times the main factor in these sparring events is conditioning. Any fighter going back to the gym after a lay off will look much worse than a guy that has a fight in two weeks.

Abel Sanchez did. He was down for Golovkin fighting Hopkins. In the build up to the Cloud fight, i'm not sure he was being serious and Sanchez is the trainer and not the manager/promoter of Golovkin. Having said that i'm sure if the money was good he'd fight at 175. If you gave him $50 million i'm sure he'd fight Wlad Klitschko! As would I.

Not long ago. They spar at big bear, not sure if it was before Cleverly or the fight before that. Ahhh Ok But what a fight it'd be, although it's pretty impossible considering the weights. There are 2 fights I'd love to see happen in 2014: 1. Hopkins v Kov 2. Froch v GGG

Abel Sanchez used to train Kovalev, seems they had a falling out and he is taking some sneaky shots at Kovalev for leaving him. Sparring is sparring, Kovalev scared? what do you want him to do go all out in sparring like some show off immature new boxer who doesn't know the meaning of sparring? Yeah kinda agreeing with this^. I don't think Kovalev liked Sanchez' training style - he likes to be left alone to do his thing, and Sanchez was maybe a bit too hands on or just tried to steer Kovalev in a way he wasn't comfortable with. Possibly Kovalev just wasn't happy that he was so clearly playing second fiddle to Sanchez' obvious favourite at the Summit - he seems a proud sorta guy and it may not have sat well with him. Either way, Kovalevs last fight with Sanchez was Simakov RIP (footage shows Sanchez in the corner saying 'go have fun' or whatever - oops) and since then Kovalevs career has really taken off - sour grapes from Sanchez perhaps? Anyway it's a little disrespectful of Sanchez. From the sounds of it he was using Kovalev to try and tune up GGG (something that may have rankled with Kovalev - just being the 'sparring partner') and was looking for Kovalev to come at GGG aggressively, instead Kov maybe tried to box defensively, aware of GGGs ability. Mainly what Sanchez is saying is that Kovalev didn't do what he (sanchez) wanted him to for Genas benefit. I'm betting Gena himself wouldn't have said the same about a fellow boxer, and Kovalev's has shown respect for GGGs power, but said that the sparring sessions were six of one, half-a-dozen of the other. Nuff said.

How is it surprising? Kovalev said GGG is one of the best fighters in the world in his opinion, he said he hits very hard and is as tough as a "tank". They sparred multiple times, he clearly was discouraged by GGG's pressure, defence and sheer power. If he claims he's as tough as a tank I presume that means he threw the kitchen sink at Golovkin and he didn't blink, meanwhile probably punched Kovalev in the chin in the process. There's no need to assume an injury or illness when Golovkin spars LHW and hits as hard or harder than them, it's kind of obvious what happened. I'm a huge fan of GGG and I know he's a beast who hurts cruiserweights and even some heavyweights in sparring, but Kovalev is a beast too. It's one thing if they went at it and then Kovalev backed off after tasting GGG's power like Angulo did, but Sanchez said he didn't engage GGG at all and that's surprising to me. Canelo attacked GGG before and after getting hurt when they sparred. So how come these jr middleweights tried to do something but Kovalev, who's a beast at light-heavy, didn't even try? That's why I'm saying there must have been other factors, like he wasn't 100% physically or mentally.

Yes the point is that at 175 Golovkin would presumably be at a pretty large size disadvantage. His team said anyone from 154-168, they did not stretch it as far as 175. Abel Sanchez did. He was down for Golovkin fighting Hopkins. Steglitz holds the WBO now but he wouldnt have much trouble beating him or a guy like Bika. Im not in favoring of paper belts tho, id want him to beat froch or Ward Bika v Golovkin is an interesting fight. Bika is one guy I envisage being able to take GG's power.

Abel Sanchez used to train Kovalev, seems they had a falling out and he is taking some sneaky shots at Kovalev for leaving him. Sparring is sparring, Kovalev scared? what do you want him to do go all out in sparring like some show off immature new boxer who doesn't know the meaning of sparring?

I think that fight will happen after a Sergio-Golovkin showdown, maybe a year and a half. I dont see arum giving Chavez up to Golovkin, it may be a career ending beating for him IMO. Probably not, but Jr. is a guy who gets what he wants despite what his promoters want. Remember when Arum and the WBC was trying to prevent a Martinez matchup? Also, Arum might try to cast out on Jr after a Ward fight... seems like he's trying to gift Chavez Jr. to him right now to get him to sign up with him after the Goosen dispute is over

HBO wants a Ward fight. If it happens it's next year.... but that's the year they'll be chasing down Martinez... and IMO if they move up, they're chasing the money and going after Jr. first before Ward I think that fight will happen after a Sergio-Golovkin showdown, maybe a year and a half. I dont see arum giving Chavez up to Golovkin, it may be a career ending beating for him IMO.

Steglitz holds the WBO now but he wouldnt have much trouble beating him or a guy like Bika. Im not in favoring of paper belts tho, id want him to beat froch or Ward HBO wants a Ward fight. If it happens it's next year.... but that's the year they'll be chasing down Martinez... and IMO if they move up, they're chasing the money and going after Jr. first before Ward

He could have been a two division if he fought Arthur... probably still could be the WBO champ... or the WBC when Junior gets the belt.... which we all know he will Steglitz holds the WBO now but he wouldnt have much trouble beating him or a guy like Bika. Im not in favoring of paper belts tho, id want him to beat froch or Ward

I think he could. 175 is very weak, i dont see any of those guys beating Golovkin minus a punchers chance, and by the time he gets there hopkins will be gone. 168 is much tougher with Ward and Froch He could have been a two division if he fought Arthur... probably still could be the WBO champ... or the WBC when Junior gets the belt.... which we all know he will

Interesting. I wonder if he can be a 3 division champion down the road. I think he could. 175 is very weak, i dont see any of those guys beating Golovkin minus a punchers chance, and by the time he gets there hopkins will be gone. 168 is much tougher with Ward and Froch

That's fair enough then that's a mis understanding. Golovkin can make 160 without trouble but he's not a small MW. He would be a solid SMW (Small in comparison to others except for Froch) I highly doubt he could make 154 though. Apparently he can, of course all this is based largely on what his trainer and promoter has said and that may be unreliable but if what they are saying is true then I think it might be more likely Golovkin fights at 154 than 168 - should he stray from 160. Do you know what Froch weighs on fight night? I heard Eddie Hearn say somewhere that he weighs barely 170 but I'm not sure how accurate that is.

Then you misunderstand the exact meaning of my distinction between a Junior Middleweight Middleweight and a Super Middleweight Middleweight. The former could certainly fight at 168 but it would be the upper reaches of his appriopriate weight whilst the latter is someone who struggles somewhat to make 160. Peter Quillin appears to me to be a Super Middleweight Middleweight and I think that in part explains his high punching power at Middleweight. On the other hand Golovkin seems to make weight at 160 with ease. That's fair enough then that's a mis understanding. Golovkin can make 160 without trouble but he's not a small MW. He would be a solid SMW (Small in comparison to others except for Froch) I highly doubt he could make 154 though.

No, that's not what I said. I said he's closer to a Super MW than he is Jr MW. I don't think someone who comes to the ring at 170 is built for 175. But they're built for 168 and a solid Super MW. Much like Mayweather at 147. Then you misunderstand the exact meaning of my distinction between a Junior Middleweight Middleweight and a Super Middleweight Middleweight. The former could certainly fight at 168 but it would be the upper reaches of his appriopriate weight whilst the latter is someone who struggles somewhat to make 160. Peter Quillin appears to me to be a Super Middleweight Middleweight and I think that in part explains his high punching power at Middleweight. On the other hand Golovkin seems to make weight at 160 with ease.

Interesting. I wonder if he can be a 3 division champion down the road. Probably not unless he stuffs the last one in. I can see 2, not three

Interesting. I wonder if he can be a 3 division champion down the road.

If he is a Super Middleweight Middleweight then he would be able to make 175, you suggested he is, I am maintaining he isn't. No, that's not what I said. I said he's closer to a Super MW than he is Jr MW. I don't think someone who comes to the ring at 170 is built for 175. But they're built for 168 and a solid Super MW. Much like Mayweather at 147.