I'm noticing these little things during and after fights where he's humiliating his opponents. The tongue, the hip thrust, shouting at Sillakh, giving the British crowd the "F*** you" sign. Then claiming how the WBO belt is only the first in his collection.
What do you guys think? Do you like that stuff?
I kinda like it. I don't really expect Russian fighters to be so c0cky. He's definitely a bit different.
There might be even more to it than that (though that's certainly there) - he has said in the past that one of the toughest things in continuing to fight was the knowledge that what had happened to Simakov could happen to him each time he went in the ring.
It's entirely possible that in a way he's sees the best chance of him himself getting out safely is to simply destroy his opponents as quickly as possible, if you've genuinely already seen a ring death, that's a pretty strong motivation to win and quickly - if the decision you've made is to continue with the sport.
Thinking about it, there's every chance that over 6 fights Kovalev has taken only a fraction of the headshots that Floyd has, simply by dint of finishing so quickly.
Good post. I agree.
I know it's WAY too early to say something like this, but I'll say it anyway.
Kovalev is like a light heavyweight George Foreman. Foreman was a wrecking machine of an offensive fighter who went in that ring to hurt suckers. He knew he could wreck you and tried to do exactly that at all times. That's pretty much exactly what Kovalev is doing now. He goes right at you trying to knock your ass out, and so far he's doing it to everyone.
I've seen some guys get real anxious after hurting someone, but the way he was bouncing around, inching his way forward reminded me of a pit bull on a leash getting ready to be turned loose on an intruder or some shit. That dude likes to hurt people. I can dig it.
There might be even more to it than that (though that's certainly there) - he has said in the past that one of the toughest things in continuing to fight was the knowledge that what had happened to Simakov could happen to him each time he went in the ring.
It's entirely possible that in a way he's sees the best chance of him himself getting out safely is to simply destroy his opponents as quickly as possible, if you've genuinely already seen a ring death, that's a pretty strong motivation to win and quickly - if the decision you've made is to continue with the sport.
Thinking about it, there's every chance that over 6 fights Kovalev has taken only a fraction of the headshots that Floyd has, simply by dint of finishing so quickly.
Egis Klimis is the manager for Ukrainian and Russian boxers Usyk, Lomachenko, Glazkov, Kovalev, Gradovich. He may have Egor Mekhontsev now too not positive.
Not quite.
Usyk is with K2
Mekhontsev and Loma are TR but Klimas is, as I understand it, acting in a kinda advisory capacity rather than directly finding them fights etc. Presumably he's helping with explaining and translating the business side of the sport as part of his duties.
Not sure about Kovalev so much either now, Klimas has kinda said they're still friends etc, but he isn't acting so much in the capacity of actual manager for Kovalev anymore (largely taken over by ME now).
I think I've got that right anyway.
Still, Klimas has played a big role in some of the top emerging careers - ain't to be sniffed at since he apparently just started off as an Lithuanian (I think) boxing enthusiast with a few connections.
http://www.boxingscene.com/egis-klimas-discusses-lomachenko-gradovich-kovalev--68350
http://boxrec.com/list_humans.php?human_id=647899&cat=manager
In fact his entire 'stable' (given the caveats above) consists of unbeaten fighters.
EDIT: The article I linked there (from August) says that Loma had not yet inked (obviously at that time) - may have done so now however.
Kovalev and El Ruso no longer have contractual agreements but continue to work with him anyway.
Mekhontsev, I ain't sure. Actually hold on - Vadim Kornilov - Provos Manager, well that could work out OK I guess.:rofl:
Normally I'm no fan of arrogant fighters. I find it fake and more of a bogus image to try and appeal to casuals. The reason I like Kovalev is because it feels real. I don't think hes arrogant. I think hes just genuinely a mean guy who wants to truly destroy and belittle anyone opposing him. That mean streak is really something.
I've seen some guys get real anxious after hurting someone, but the way he was bouncing around, inching his way forward reminded me of a pit bull on a leash getting ready to be turned loose on an intruder or some shit. That dude likes to hurt people. I can dig it.
That idiot brings a whole circus and corny act with him.
Doesn't matter. Just like someone said, a fighter has actually died from injuries sustained in a fight with Kovalev, and he still taunts someone while they are hurt and knocked down? You'd think he'd be a little more respectful of the sport now. Yeah I don't think Broner has ever went that far. All he does is hype fights and plays the villain, it's all show with him. These are little double standards that people don't seem to notice.
the fight won't ever happen but I would be interested in a Hopkins vs. Kovalev fight. I think Kovalev is the real deal but Hopkins is that last eye ball test that I need for Kovalev. Hopkins does well vs guys that come at him.
Just no, as much as Hopkins is still up there beating top guys he still is old. The dude is 49 in January, taking one of the biggest p4p would not be a good idea.
he's a beast that cant be stopped right now !!! I think he would take Stevenson and even he knows it. Now even Stevenson is saying if the money's right and he would rather fight B-hop, bute, Pascal. I think even he is scared to fight Kovalev.
The 3 guys that you named have not accomplished anything in the sport. He may beat Stevenson, but as of right now, Kov has not been tested. Your stamina, your everything is tested against another top fighter. That isn't a negative towards Kov, it's simply the truth.
very true,, wont argue with that,,,
I have alittle test when evaluating up-coming talent,,, Do they blow away guys they should if they were elite,,,
for example:
Oscar, tito, shane, cotto, tyson, destroyed guys when coming up
Canelo and broner did not
ggg and kovolev are destroying guys
So i tend to think ggg and kovolev are the goods and guys like canelo and broner will be more like a lucian bute or jermain taylor
Usik and Loma were at Kovalev -White fight
Egis Klimis is the manager for Ukrainian and Russian boxers Usyk, Lomachenko, Glazkov, Kovalev, Gradovich. He may have Egor Mekhontsev now too not positive.
i think his ko destructions of campillo, cleverly, and sillak are about as good as anyone has done in the lightheavy division,,
I think he puts stevenson to sleep,,,,
My only concern about him is his stamina,, I want to see if he can hang in a tough fight in later rounds,, I have yet to see him be in a competitive fight that lasts longer than a few rounds,, Its the same concern i have about GGG to be honestThe 3 guys that you named have not accomplished anything in the sport. He may beat Stevenson, but as of right now, Kov has not been tested. Your stamina, your everything is tested against another top fighter. That isn't a negative towards Kov, it's simply the truth.
I love Kov, and when he does that to a world class opponent and beats him, then I'll cosign it.
i think his ko destructions of campillo, cleverly, and sillak are about as good as anyone has done in the lightheavy division,,
I think he puts stevenson to sleep,,,,
My only concern about him is his stamina,, I want to see if he can hang in a tough fight in later rounds,, I have yet to see him be in a competitive fight that lasts longer than a few rounds,, Its the same concern i have about GGG to be honest
A murderer VS a pimp rapist, lol only in boxing.
'Murderer' is a little harsh - I don't think he intended to kill Simakov, but given the rate at which he tears through his opposition I would not be entirely surprised if someone else is badly injured at some point at some point in his career.
He needs to speak English like the typical "Russian bad guy" in action movies. Gennady has the whole Kazakhstan good boy/dangerous boy thing going on, which has attracted Borat fans worldwide. Sergey ought to make people believe he's an evil, badass, KGB, Russian mafia muthaf*cka. Kids would idolize him.
He does kinda do a bit of the whole Drago thing on purpose, there's an interview while he's with El Ruso (they're really close mates - in fact it was Kovalev that recommended Gradovich to Klimas) and Kovalev's asked about Cleverly and gives it 'I will kill him' - in a kinda deliberate flat Drago delivery Yvgeny (whose english is a little better) jumps in to correct him to '...crush him'.
That was a bit of fun, but he's definitely a bad dude in the ring. FWIW he does kinda acknowledge that he ain't always the easiest guy to get on with.
Nice few anecdotes about him in interviews on Kovalboxer.ru