Nathan Cleverly vs. Sergey Kovalev: Who Wins?

[yoz]

Frank Warren suggests Cleverly will defend his LHW title against Sergey Kovalev.

Who wins this match-up?

[Arsene Knows]

I actually voted "Don't Know/Don't Care".

Never been a huge Cleverly fan but its just funny watching the people who said he'd never agree to fight Kovalev getting owned

The fight is 50/50 IMO.

I think Cleverly sometimes fights a style that doesn't suit his physical gifts. He's tall and long yet for some reason likes to throw a lot of flurries in close. It makes him too easy to hit but he looks to have a great chin. Then again, Kovalev is probably the biggest puncher he will have faced by some distance and throws a lot of punches too,

If it becomes a close quarters fight, it might not end well for Cleverly. If he uses his speed and reach advantages, he can win.

[SnakeVen0m]

Kovalev ends his streak.

Kovalev KO 8

[LacedUp]

Clev UD. No doubt in my mind. Too busy for Kovalev.

[Russian Crushin]

If its in the UK, and cleverly doesn't get KO'd, he'll win, even tho he'll miss most of his punches and get hit by the hardest shots

[Arsene Knows]

Hadn't actually seen Cleverly vs Krasniqi until now. Cleverly actually fought a much smarter fight from the outside in that fight. Used his jab constantly and didn't trade as much. Constantly backed up Krasniqi.

Kovalev has fought no one who can back him up. I bet he can't fight going backwards for ****. I actually fancy Cleverly in this.

[P4P Opinion]

If its in the UK, and cleverly doesn't get KO'd, he'll win, even tho he'll miss most of his punches and get hit by the hardest shots

Pretty much agree with this, although I don't think Kovalev is good enough defensively to make Cleverly miss that much! I think the combination of Cleverly having a naturally good chin and good mobility will make it difficult for Kovalev to get the KO. Cleverly's workrate, combinations and a UK crowd will mean he should take a decision, unless Kovalev is somehow utterly dominant. If it's close, Cleverly will get the nod.

[Arsene Knows]

If its in the UK, and cleverly doesn't get KO'd, he'll win, even tho he'll miss most of his punches and get hit by the hardest shots

That would assume that Kovalev actually had a defence.

[yoz]

Hadn't actually seen Cleverly vs Krasniqi until now. Cleverly actually fought a much smarter fight from the outside in that fight. Used his jab constantly and didn't trade as much. Constantly backed up Krasniqi.

Kovalev has fought no one who can back him up. I bet he can't fight going backwards for ****. I actually fancy Cleverly in this.

Krasniqi isn't world class though, is he?

Can Nathan take a big shot? I guess we'll see.

[Arsene Knows]

Krasniqi isn't world class though, is he?

Can Nathan take a big shot? I guess we'll see.

He's about as world class as anyone Kovalev has faced.

The amount of hype for this guy is crazy. He has done *** all really.