Anybody that defends Stevenson is pathetic

I don't think he is avoiding Kovalev because the fight won't pay enough. I'm sure he would be well paid. I think he is afraid of losing by KO and losing his title and much of his ability to make big money in the future. I would pick Stevenson to beat all light heavyweights except Kovalev so if he avoids Kovalev he will be fine. I think his new adviser Haymon advised him not to fight Kovalev. I wonder if Pascal would fight either of these hard punchers. Pascal seems very popular in Canada and if Kovalev could KO him the demand for a Stevenson-Kovalev fight in Canada would probably be huge. Since when is going with the highest bidder a duck? Especially when the highest bidder has a high-level opponent for a big payday for the next fight too? Whether haters like it or not, it is possible that this is simply a financial decision.

These athletes have a small window in their careers to get as much money as possible. If they did what these stupid fans wanted they would end up punch drunk and broke. Meanwhile the promoters and networks move on to the next one and enrich themselves off the blood, sweat and tears of the fighters. I begrudge none for maximizing their money when given the opportunity. 100%. That's why I don't begrudge any combat sport athlete getting paid, even if it postpones a big fight.

I don't think he is avoiding Kovalev because the fight won't pay enough. I'm sure he would be well paid. I think he is afraid of losing by KO and losing his title and much of his ability to make big money in the future. I would pick Stevenson to beat all light heavyweights except Kovalev so if he avoids Kovalev he will be fine. I think his new adviser Haymon advised him not to fight Kovalev. I wonder if Pascal would fight either of these hard punchers. Pascal seems very popular in Canada and if Kovalev could KO him the demand for a Stevenson-Kovalev fight in Canada would probably be huge.

He has NO INTENTION of fighting Sergey. NONE. He's 37. He'll be too old to face Kovalev soon. That'll be the excuse. And who's to say Fonfara won't catch him?

Criticism of Stevenson doesn't really make sense to me. So Adonis was supposed to turn down a bigger financial offer (significantly bigger, according to his promoter) AND an opportunity to fight a much more well-known opponent and instead accept a low ball offer from HBO just so that the hardcore fans could be satisfied that he's not a coward? Why shouldn't HBO have to pay market value in order to keep Stevenson? What if someone told you that you shouldn't take a higher paying job at different company because it would be better for the industry if you got less money and stayed at your current company? Who says Adonis can't fight Fonfara, Hopkins and then Kovalev? Fight will be even bigger at that point. I think everyone should withhold judgment on him ducking until we see what does in the next few fights. In the meantime, he should be entitled to get the most money he can, just like everyone else is. I agree....some of the morons on NSB act like spoiled children throwing temper tantrums when they don't get what the want. These athletes have a small window in their careers to get as much money as possible. If they did what these stupid fans wanted they would end up punch drunk and broke. Meanwhile the promoters and networks move on to the next one and enrich themselves off the blood, sweat and tears of the fighters. I begrudge none for maximizing their money when given the opportunity.

But he has repeatedly called out Hopkins on HBO air (and Froch), and the HBO announcers have been dismissive of it. Adonis v Kovalev is a fight I want to see sooner rather than later, but nobody can claim that Stevenson wasn't on the record with what he wants. Very True,, but then why do all the co-features with sergi,,,

if one of the biggest bhop fans on this site says kovalev-stevenson is the better fight then that tells you something

Why is it that whenever a black fighter looks out for himself he is considered ducking? So called boxing fans might want to get in the ring and fight each if they feel another fighter is ducking someone. ...... How is taking low risk fights for way less money looking out for yourself? Other then from a physical standpoint at the expense of the lower skilled opponent....

I hope someone comes in and regulates boxing like other sports. The best should be fighting the best especially the champions. These guys should not ever be allowed to fight these lower ranked opponents just to look good and get an easy win.

Criticism of Stevenson doesn't really make sense to me. So Adonis was supposed to turn down a bigger financial offer (significantly bigger, according to his promoter) AND an opportunity to fight a much more well-known opponent and instead accept a low ball offer from HBO just so that the hardcore fans could be satisfied that he's not a coward? Why shouldn't HBO have to pay market value in order to keep Stevenson? What if someone told you that you shouldn't take a higher paying job at different company because it would be better for the industry if you got less money and stayed at your current company? Who says Adonis can't fight Fonfara, Hopkins and then Kovalev? Fight will be even bigger at that point. I think everyone should withhold judgment on him ducking until we see what does in the next few fights. In the meantime, he should be entitled to get the most money he can, just like everyone else is.

Why is it that whenever a black fighter looks out for himself he is considered ducking? So called boxing fans might want to get in the ring and fight each if they feel another fighter is ducking someone. ...... It isn't because he's black. It's because he's a *****.:fing26:

If stevenson wanted hopkins, he shouldnt be doing co-features with kovalev the past year... But he has repeatedly called out Hopkins on HBO air (and Froch), and the HBO announcers have been dismissive of it. Adonis v Kovalev is a fight I want to see sooner rather than later, but nobody can claim that Stevenson wasn't on the record with what he wants.

Why is it that whenever a black fighter looks out for himself he is considered ducking? So called boxing fans might want to get in the ring and fight each if they feel another fighter is ducking someone. ......

As a fan what fight would u rather see??? Stevenson vs Hopkins or Kovalev??? kovalev vs stevenson,,, both have peaked,, winner should get hopkins I dont really mind that adonis is targeting hopkins, but what im pissed about is that for the past year, HBO, adonis, and Kovolev have been working on building this fight and then at the last second when it was about to become a done deal adonis bails,,, That is why im mad,, If stevenson wanted hopkins, he shouldnt be doing co-features with kovalev the past year...

As a fan what fight would u rather see??? Stevenson vs Hopkins or Kovalev???

From looking at this situation without inside knowledge I'd say the money trail has Stevenson with Kova down the road for more money than it draws now. Stevenson is going after a better draw/pay day with Hopkins, its the smart move business wise! Of course boxing "fans" get their draws twisted up and cry but if it were their carrier choices they'd follow the money trail not the fandumb march! Ray.

Most clear cut duck since who knows and people still try to defend that classless thug duck. :rofl::rofl: He should really be ashamed of himself! He's a coward. **** him. Adonis called him exactly what he is.

Did you not read my post? He wasn't willing to fight Kovalev even if HBO matched Showtime's offer. http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=633301 That's how Haymon negotiates. He kept Floyd on a fight by fight basis with HBO for years. You can keep going back and skinning the cat for more money when there's no long term commitment. And you can always use the other network in play as leverage. It's freakin brilliant. You get Bside fighters or older fighters who need security long term deals.

stevenson gettin that paper quit hatin homie. He too slick for Kovalev anyways. good post mate

Did you not read my post? He wasn't willing to fight Kovalev even if HBO matched Showtime's offer. http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=633301 That's because he wanted to do a victory lap of paydays before he risked Kovalev. It's a duck, but it's not like he's talking about fighting cabbies either.