Kovalev: "I can count on my left hand who are the real fighters in boxing"

Unified light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev believes that boxing is lacking real fighting men in this day and age as the Russian sees money being the main focus over entertainment value. The 32 year-old, who recently defended his clutch of belts against Nadjib Mohammedi, is also disappointed that he is only seen as a puncher and not a true boxer after putting together an almost 90% KO ratio through 29 fights as a professional. "I want to be better and want to be improved for every fight because a boxer can never to be perfect,” said Kovalev. “100% everything is good, no. Every boxer wants to be better, better, better. My goal in my preparations is to get better and remove all my mistakes from last fight. To show to people I can not only to punch, I can do boxing. “I am disappointed people couldn't see in my first 14 or 15 fights. I can do boxing. I just started to get good opponents when I signed contract with Kathy Duva. “Very big respect with Kathy Duva and her team that they got attention on my boxing. I am very happy that I signed contract Main Events and right now my career is going up. It will continue be going up because we are together right now. We are a team - Egis Klimas, Kathy Duva, Main Events and Krusher Promotions. We are going up. “We give to boxing fans good boxing fight because right now it is very seldom in real fights. Because a lot of fighters are making business but not making boxing. I can count on my left hand who are the real fighters in boxing: Gennady Golovkin, Miguel Cotto and Keith Thurman and I don't remember more. And maybe me. “I don't want to push me that I am the best, but if people are thinking it I am very happy. I wake every morning and get running and working hard. I happy that people are thinking that I am good boxer." Kovalev recently offered Artur Beterbiev the opportunity to be his next challenger later this year, but was turned down by his undefeated compatriot who wants at least one more fight before accepting. http://www.***************.net/2015/08/17/news/sergey-kovalev-not-impressed-says-only-a-handful-in-boxing-are-real-fighters

Comments (20)

Kovalev is a savage and he does have real boxing skill. Im a big fan. He's much better than Golovkin to me. I'm not sure why GGG has crossed over so well in comparison. I think he is talking about guys who are always in exciting fights and pushing the action. People don't want to call Cotto a real fighter for fighting Canelo instead of GGG. GGG must not be a real fighter either if he doesn't want to fight Ward. The same can be said about Marcos Maidana. http://share.gifyoutube.com/y7L5zn.gif http://share.gifyoutube.com/mGl2ZM.gif http://share.gifyoutube.com/vpwY2q.gif

10y ago

punchr

Notice he didn't mention Floyd :scared: I think he can add Amir Khan to the list by the time of 2016 when he will face Kell Brook, hell Khan might just fight Keith Thurman late on in 2015 its all unknown atm. But I think there is more than just 5 - Marcos Maidana Sergey Kovalev Gennady Golovkin Canelo Alvarez Wladimir Klitschko Roman Gonzalez Lomachenko Timothey Bradley Jorge Linares Wouldn't add Keith Thurman because he is busy making excuses as to why he shouldn't give Errol Spence a chance to fight him. Add Matthysse to that list for sure.

10y ago

Beater_of_ass

You calling someone a cumguzzler. :lol1: Every knows you're weak for Cotto. He can never do no wrong like his ***** move catch weights. You're a boxer fan and not a true fan of boxing. At least I talk **** about the boxers I like. Go back to worshipping Cotto who really doesn't give a **** about you. No, I never said Cotto was wrong for the CW's. I'm saying as a Canelo fan, shut your mouth instead of smiling like a donute every time you see a Cotto thread. Canelo fighting JMW's at 155 is who you're backing while sh*tting on Cotto for being smaller and fighting bigger men than Canelo is. All while winning. Haters gonna hate.

10y ago

MrFantastic

I don't even know what you're trying to say. 3 fights at MW, no MW opponent. If you haven't been critical it's obvious how much of a cumguzzler of Canelo and Oscar you are. You calling someone a cumguzzler. :lol1: Every knows you're weak for Cotto. He can never do no wrong like his ***** move catch weights. You're a boxer fan and not a true fan of boxing. At least I talk **** about the boxers I like. Go back to worshipping Cotto who really doesn't give a **** about you.

10y ago

BoxOffice

Depends on how much boxing he watches. Everybody in my gym was a casual. I've been to 3 different ones. I've noticed this pattern where actual practitioners don't watch much boxing and the ones that don't are the hardcore ones. There are exception, but exceptions are not the norm

10y ago

Beater_of_ass

K I will remember this comment. If you're serious on this, I'm probably going to be more critical on his MW opponent. I don't even know what you're trying to say. 3 fights at MW, no MW opponent. If you haven't been critical it's obvious how much of a cumguzzler of Canelo and Oscar you are.

10y ago

MrFantastic

Take it easy, it's Canelo. He should MW's first, I don't even care about a CW. Any actual MW will do. K I will remember this comment. If you're serious on this, I'm probably going to be more critical on his MW opponent.

10y ago

Beater_of_ass

When he does and if he drains them like Cotto does, he deserves much more heat than he already does. Canelo should face MWs at the limit just like Cotto. Take it easy, it's Canelo. He should MW's first, I don't even care about a CW. Any actual MW will do.

10y ago

TheThirdEye

I believe the Crusher fights anyone but I don't believe GGG is willing to fight anyone. If anything triple G is more after Stardom. Cotto paid his dues in the sport and rightly deserved his status. Thurman, I believe is in the same boat as Triple G, because he seems also more interested in stardom. http://www.pix-host.com/allimages/70296936.gif Do you know why Kovalev have fought Boone twice, do you know why? In the first fight, he won by split decision, he didn't knock down Boone at all. However Boone dropped Kovalev on the canvas in the 7th round, out of 8. Kovalev could barely get up and make it til the end, Boone got robbed that night. Just like Stevenson got robbed against him, when he was standing up and ready inside the count of 3. You think you know, but you don't know!

10y ago

TheThirdEye

http://www.pix-host.com/allimages/49735278.jpg http://www.pix-host.com/allimages/50467588.jpg

10y ago

HeroBando

It is funny how Ward brings out the ***** in some people. I have seen people complain about the best not fighting the best, and then I have seen people say Ward vs GGG is a fight that shouldn't happen. People say the fight isn't interesting because of Ward's style but they are quite happy for GGG to fight Mayweather; the contrast indicates their expectations: Mayweather and Ward would approach the match up the same way, but Mayweather would not have the size to be effective. People say Ward should hop up in weight and fight Kovalev (it would be a good fight), but that he should drop down in weight to fight GGG. Those same people complain about a fighter, whose best years were at 130-135lb, not moving up in weight to fight GGG. If GGG wants to prove his salt, he will move up in weight and fight Ward. Ward has already proved his salt, but it would be nice if he took it a step further and fought Kovalev; he could move back down to 168lb if it takes place before the GGG bout. Dude your criteria for proving his salt is inconsistent. Ward gets to prove it by beating Froch in his division. Hes got more good wins sure, but Froch is the best, and 3rd best is Abe or Bika or some such. Ggg gets to do it by beating Ward one division up. Id say going up against bigger Ward is much tougher than Froch at your weight. Froch one division up, in the UK would prove some salt, right, however Froch wasn't gonna chance it I don't need to see the Floyd fight even though he's been holding a SWW belt for 3+ years, is unified, lineal, and Ggg offered to go down to 154. If Floyd tries to cherrypick the MW title off Canelo/Cotto, he's totally fair game

10y ago

BoxingLegend89

Rides Canelo all the time? I don't lose jack shit whoever wins or loses between Canelo vs Cotto. My feelings won't get hurt, nor would I lose money. I can't say the same for the majority of the people in this thread though. You're just acting up in case cotto wins. We all knows as soon as canelo wins u'll be the first one posting. So predictable.

10y ago

MASTERBX

idiot This idiot turns down the lineal title AND more money and has the audacity to talk about real fighters. Fight Superman you coward!

10y ago

FeFist

GGG will fight Ward at 164 he's stated it and its on Ward now! Why should the Middleweight Champ move up to a junior weight class? Why isn't Ward moving up to the 175 and fighting Koval or Stevenson? The Middleweight Title has always breen the second most prestigious title in boxing. If Ward wants GGG then get down to 160 and fight for the title. The 168 title is BS! Ray It is funny how Ward brings out the ***** in some people. I have seen people complain about the best not fighting the best, and then I have seen people say Ward vs GGG is a fight that shouldn't happen. People say the fight isn't interesting because of Ward's style but they are quite happy for GGG to fight Mayweather; the contrast indicates their expectations: Mayweather and Ward would approach the match up the same way, but Mayweather would not have the size to be effective. People say Ward should hop up in weight and fight Kovalev (it would be a good fight), but that he should drop down in weight to fight GGG. Those same people complain about a fighter, whose best years were at 130-135lb, not moving up in weight to fight GGG. If GGG wants to prove his salt, he will move up in weight and fight Ward. Ward has already proved his salt, but it would be nice if he took it a step further and fought Kovalev; he could move back down to 168lb if it takes place before the GGG bout.

10y ago

victorythagr8

So cotto who fought Shane, floyd, pacquaio, margarito, is not a true fighter but yet GGG who has fought nothing but bums and has been pro for 10 years . And it's funny people saying cotto is ducking GGG when cotto has better options for his legacy like canelo (which is his next fight) or trying to get a rematch with floyd. Notice GGG only calls out Froch, Floyd, Cotto and canelo. You know fighters who are known draws from 147-168. It's the main reason why GGG is not fighting Ward or Lara.

10y ago

Mike_D

This is nonsense, every fighter is in the game for money, including Kovalev. Boxing is a business. What the hell is a "real fighter" anyway? Stupid comments from the Krusher... Yeah, I agree. And it's incredibly disrespectful to the lesser known guys -- the guys out there fighting in small, middle of nowhere venues, who are fighting for virtual loose change compared to what Kovalev gets, and they're out there getting their heads beat in just trying to make it. These guys aren't "real" fighters, Sergey?

10y ago

MrFantastic

Lol this dude master bates to anything delahoya does. Notice how he just rides canelo all the time Rides Canelo all the time? I don't lose jack shit whoever wins or loses between Canelo vs Cotto. My feelings won't get hurt, nor would I lose money. I can't say the same for the majority of the people in this thread though.

10y ago

Beercules

Butthurt level of canela fans now http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/facebook/000/316/674/5d5.gif :lol1: :lol1: that was good

10y ago

aldo5408

Canelo is hyped up. I'm sure you could say the same thing about Cotto. I'm sure if Cotto was from Colombia, you won't be up on his nuts and make yourself look like a hypocrite. When he does and if he drains them like Cotto does, he deserves much more heat than he already does. Canelo should face MWs at the limit just like Cotto. Against a WW again? How long ago has Cotto fought at WW? Cotto is not a WW anymore. Don't act like Canelo is the only one not fighting at the limit of 160 because Cotto is doing it as well. When have I said Canelo is a true warrior? He's a warrior for fighting hard tough fights with Lara & Trout but I won't call him a warrior for having his own weight, just like Cotto's ***** moves with catch weights. Boxing fan logic there, not fanboy logic like you and the rest of the Cottard nation do. I'm not afraid to call Canelo a ***** for a bitch move unlike you guys who defend anything Cotto does. Still laughing at you calling someone a fanboy and yet claim Cotto is a WW. Did you know Canelo started at 140? Just like Cotto. Do you understand that fanboy? That's true, but don't forget doing something illegally like Trinidad got busted for is also a ***** move. He didn't get suspended just like Mosley but you Cotto stans sure love to pick and choose. Lol this dude master bates to anything delahoya does. Notice how he just rides canelo all the time

10y ago

MrFantastic

Cotto has been putting in legit work since 2006. F*ck is wrong with y'all??? You all bring up his loses to knock him as if ATG Boxers like Duran didn't lose to to a slick guy in Benitez and Leonard or get knocked out by Hearns. Don't bring up the Margarito sh1t because he got busted right after that. Idk how to judge that guy. :lol1: Legit work since 2006? That's greatly exaggerated.

10y ago