Lately I've been watching a lot of their fights and feel only 3 are real good. While 1 I'm unsure about. Kovalev, Ward, Bivol (special) while Gvozdyk I'm unsure.
Bivol is special, I wasn't sure about him at first but took a closer look at him in his recent fight... This kid is real, as long as he is carefully managed he will continue to develop into something huge.
First of all, Beterbiev is overrated. Powerful yes, but he has horrible defense and is wide open a lot. Not to mention he's actually very slow and predictable, like Barrera slow lol. He's lucky he hasn't fought anyone with power and yet he was still dropped by a bum. Imagine if he fought Gvozdyk or Kovalev? Done for.
Kovalev, no doubt is the best. Beaten everybody brutally, very fluid boxer-puncher. I don't even need explain more.
Gvozdyk I'm unsure about. Mostly because his chin is quite suspect but he looks like he has lots of raw power.. The way he knocked Mohameddi out sooner and harder than Kovalev was spectacular... However, he has holes that needs to be filled. He needs more time but I can see him becoming one of the best ones here Gvozdyk vs Beterbiev is 50/50 whoever lands first flush wins IMO.
Ward, simply look at his resume. Enough said. He can beat probably everybody right now without much effort besides Kovalev. Let Bivol get more experience and then there will be two threats. I see Ward completely out boxing Beterbiev.. And with Gvozdyk he has to be careful because Gvozdyk has the power with sudden bursts of speed (watch Gvozdyk-Mohameddi).
Alvarez, he looks good. I'd put him near Shabranskyy in terms of skill. Not top dogs but can hang with them. He can give most of these guys a run for their money, Kovalev and Ward aside.
Shabranskyy is tough as nails. Has a lot of potential, but I don't see him managing to beat Kovalev or Ward but we'll see he has time to improve.
Thoughts?
Nvm what i just said about Egor Mekhontsev, didnt even know he had a draw with Alexander Johnson lol, maybe he isnt fit for the pro game, i rest my case
Bivol, Shabranskyy and Beterbiev are the ones to look out for imo
Bivol has so good fundamentals he is like a trainers dream, rarely leaves himself open, always keeps his gloves up, he doesnt do anything super great but hes allround very good in all aspects, he is very well taught
Shabranskyy is super tough and probably has one the best chins in boxing, i can see this guy upsetting quite a few fighters, but techincally not as skilled as Kovalev, Ward etc
Beterbiev knocks everybody out, he does have a ****ty defense and 0 to no headmovement but if he got a good chin i could see him violating all LHWs including Ward, Hardest puncher P4P imo
Sure if Beterbiev can catch them. He's a very slow puncher and quite predictable too. He fought no one good yet. Hell, Bivol's last opponent beats anyone Beterbiev fought.
Before I used to think Beterbiev was kryptonite to Kovalev, I don't think so anymore. It has to be someone with a damn good chin and can box... Someone like Slava
Yeah he is old though but Chickenson has got a torpedo of a left arm.. Artur was put down by avg punchers, imagine if Stevenson lands his left hand.. And vice versa too..
I would like to see Gvozdyk and Bivol move up soon and these prospects should fight each other to establish the second tier.. Top tier abovioisly are the current top 3 in LHW..
Gvozdyk likely beats Bivol now.. It won't be easy however, Bivol just needs more time to develop. And the same can be said about Gvozdyk.
Forget Chickenson. The man was hit so many times by his recent guy, he's lucky that guy wasn't powerful
Yeah he is old though but Chickenson has got a torpedo of a left arm.. Artur was put down by avg punchers, imagine if Stevenson lands his left hand.. And vice versa too..
I would like to see Gvozdyk and Bivol move up soon and these prospects should fight each other to establish the second tier.. Top tier abovioisly are the current top 3 in LHW..
Lately I've been watching a lot of their fights and feel only 3 are real good. While 1 I'm unsure about. Kovalev, Ward, Bivol (special) while Gvozdyk I'm unsure.
Bivol is special, I wasn't sure about him at first but took a closer look at him in his recent fight... This kid is real, as long as he is carefully managed he will continue to develop into something huge.
First of all, Beterbiev is overrated. Powerful yes, but he has horrible defense and is wide open a lot. Not to mention he's actually very slow and predictable, like Barrera slow lol. He's lucky he hasn't fought anyone with power and yet he was still dropped by a bum. Imagine if he fought Gvozdyk or Kovalev? Done for.
Kovalev, no doubt is the best. Beaten everybody brutally, very fluid boxer-puncher. I don't even need explain more.
Gvozdyk I'm unsure about. Mostly because his chin is quite suspect but he looks like he has lots of raw power.. The way he knocked Mohameddi out sooner and harder than Kovalev was spectacular... However, he has holes that needs to be filled. He needs more time but I can see him becoming one of the best ones here Gvozdyk vs Beterbiev is 50/50 whoever lands first flush wins IMO.
Ward, simply look at his resume. Enough said. He can beat probably everybody right now without much effort besides Kovalev. Let Bivol get more experience and then there will be two threats. I see Ward completely out boxing Beterbiev.. And with Gvozdyk he has to be careful because Gvozdyk has the power with sudden bursts of speed (watch Gvozdyk-Mohameddi).
Alvarez, he looks good. I'd put him near Shabranskyy in terms of skill. Not top dogs but can hang with them. He can give most of these guys a run for their money, Kovalev and Ward aside.
Shabranskyy is tough as nails. Has a lot of potential, but I don't see him managing to beat Kovalev or Ward but we'll see he has time to improve.
Thoughts?
Nvm what i just said about Egor Mekhontsev, didnt even know he had a draw with Alexander Johnson lol, maybe he isnt fit for the pro game, i rest my case
Bivol, Shabranskyy and Beterbiev are the ones to look out for imo
Bivol has so good fundamentals he is like a trainers dream, rarely leaves himself open, always keeps his gloves up, he doesnt do anything super great but hes allround very good in all aspects, he is very well taught
Shabranskyy is super tough and probably has one the best chins in boxing, i can see this guy upsetting quite a few fighters, but techincally not as skilled as Kovalev, Ward etc
Beterbiev knocks everybody out, he does have a ****ty defense and 0 to no headmovement but if he got a good chin i could see him violating all LHWs including Ward, Hardest puncher P4P imo
I see a stacked division with Kovalev and Ward on top, and a half dozen other guys vying for contention. I'd add Stevenson to that list of guys. Really looking forward to seeing Ward and Kovalev fight these others. The thing about an even-match/high-stakes fight like Ward Kovalev is that they usually suck and are cautious fights. I think fights against these other guys will be more entertaining.
Wish this was like league sports where we'd get a schedule and timeline in which all these fights would happen. That's the frustrating thing about boxing. The great moments come slow with a lot of time in-between.
I told you that kid Bivol is special.. looks great with solid fundamentals and good ring iq for a 7 fight novice.. He stepped up his game and got an impressive victory against another up and comer..
Beterbiev is your regular brawler but Gvozdyk seems better technically among both..
In the next 2-3 yrs these guys will be knocking on the doors of the title holders..
Ward, Kovalev and Chickenson will have some tough challengers coming up..
Forget Chickenson. The man was hit so many times by his recent guy, he's lucky that guy wasn't powerful
I told you that kid Bivol is special.. looks great with solid fundamentals and good ring iq for a 7 fight novice.. He stepped up his game and got an impressive victory against another up and comer..
Beterbiev is your regular brawler but Gvozdyk seems better technically among both..
In the next 2-3 yrs these guys will be knocking on the doors of the title holders..
Ward, Kovalev and Chickenson will have some tough challengers coming up..
So many upcoming beasts at LHW. Most interested in seeing Bivol develop not sure he has the raw power of the others but for me he has the highest ceiling and is very mature for his age.
Then again I had high hopes for Egor Mekhontsev too but what the hell has gone on with this guy? I think its safe to say he isn't going to translate too well from the amateurs despite having decent enough pro style.