Comments Thread For: Inactivity the reason for Sergey Kovalev?s decision to have farewell fight

[SteveM]

A good career. The kind most fighters would kill for. I think he bought his own hype and then never could recover from a disappointing loss. But he defeated some really good names for his era, and was recognized as one of the most dominating fighters pound for pound for a little while. Along the way, he made some good money. He seems mostly healthy. Win or lose, glad he is bolting. Not sure why an inactive, mid-40's fighter who lost more than he has won at the back half of his career needs a a farewell fight, but I am relieved he is done before he gets really hurt.

lol - you're not sure why he needs a fight at his age? There is just one reason - money!
Of course, we can give honourable mention to two strong desires - 1/ Many boxers miss the adrenaline buzz of fight night - the ringwalk, being in the zone, the surge of cortisol when in a kill or be-killed contest. And 3/ in case of some fighters including Kov - the poozy on tap

[SteveM]

Is it just me or does Kovalev look like he's got Meth Face ?

He was known as a borderline alcoholic

[Left Hook Louie]

I thought the Safar fight was the farewell for him.
It should have been.

I don't see a meth-face on him. He has rather sharp facial features that appear a little more pronounced when he's at or near fighting weight. But if he was a meth addict he would look like a complete zombie.

Too bad he never fought Stevenson when they both were in their primes. That woulda been a fun week.

[Tonyu]

If it is financial reasons he came back I can't see him getting life changing money in his next fight especially in Russia , sadly we will see him comeback again in the next 2 years or sadly a former world champion living on the poverty line. It's sad when great champions lose control of their lives outside the ring he won't be the first and definitely won't be the last.

[JeBron Lamez]

This man was so very feared.

To reiterate what others have said, such a high quality career.

As a guy who was literally screaming at the screen for Ward to knock him out during the 11th & 12th rounds of their first fight...

...Sergey Kovalev definitely won that fight, it couldn't make sense if it bribed a dictionary let alone a judge.

[JeBron Lamez]

Too bad he never fought Stevenson when they both were in their primes. That woulda been a fun week.

I'm glad he was able to recover somewhat decently after the Gvozdyk fight but Adonis was a bish for that & idc what anyone says, it was Superman who wanted zero part of that particular chimney.

[Damn Wicked]

I'm glad he was able to recover somewhat decently after the Gvozdyk fight but Adonis was a bish for that & idc what anyone says, it was Superman who wanted zero part of that particular chimney.

Adonis Chickenson, as Kovalev liked to call him.

[JakeTheBoxer]

he was a great fighter. ward fights and alcoholism ruined him. Shame, he had to take canelo fight on the short notice.

Prime Kovalev would beat Canelo badly in a mismatch.

[Left Hook Louie]

I'm glad he was able to recover somewhat decently after the Gvozdyk fight but Adonis was a bish for that & idc what anyone says, it was Superman who wanted zero part of that particular chimney.

Yeah, back then I didn't pick up on why that fight never happened. I just remember it was frustrating cuz it was the obvious step up to the next level for both guys. Shame on whoever ducked out. If it was Stevenson, as you say - so be it.

[Left Hook Louie]

Here you go.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontl...ody/faces.html

That is some scary chit right there.
A couple of years ago I was in a Wendy's in a very poor Kentucky county known to have a lot of meth problems. There were teenagers hanging out who were prematurely aged, losing hair and teeth, skin lesions, looking like death warmed over.
My knowledgeable colleague told me that's what meth addiction looks like.
Kovalev just looks gaunt (or at least not overweight). If he was a meth addict he wouldn't hide it well, no doubt.