Are people underestimating Cleverly?

[toshmurph]

Going into the fight Saturday, all I'm hearing from boxing scribes and around the forums is Kovalev is going to blast Cleverly out within 6 rounds.

Am I the only one thinking that Cleverly is being taken too lightly? I'm a fan of both guys and I view this fight as 50-50.

Kovalev undoubtedly has great power, and he's no slugger he looks for openings, but he's not the polished fighter that say Golovkin is, But his jab has power and his right hand is dangerous.

Cleverly hasn't shown the kind of power that can keep guys wary, but he's got fantastic athleticism, reflexes and a world class chin. He leaves himself open by times to the left hook but I think he'll have shored up his defence for this, and he's a big guy for this weight as you can tell by his frame. Also he's got underrated body punching ability which I think will stand to him in the fight if he takes it late..

Anyways this is a fight I've been looking forward to for a while, what do you guys think?

[NEETzsche]

it's a step up in competition for both guys so it's hard to be certain how it'll play out, but based on the eye test you have to favour kovalev. that's not necessarily a knock on clev (although i don't like him tbh), kovalev just looks damn good.

[yoz]

If Cleverly (somehow) survives the initial onslaught, he'll get a decision.

Cleverly isn't going to stand toe-to-toe; he'll run, and try to take Kovalev into the late rounds.

[SnakeVen0m]

Cleverly gets hit cleanly too much. He won't get away with that against Kovalev. Plus I don't think he has the power to keep him honest.

RIP Nathan Not-so-Clever-ly.

[NEETzsche]

If Cleverly (somehow) survives the initial onslaught, he'll get a decision.

Cleverly isn't going to stand toe-to-toe; he'll run, and try to take Kovalev into the late rounds.

i've never seen cleverly demonstrate a water-tight defence. he doesn't have the tools.

[Citizen Koba]

No, I think opinion is actually much more divided than you're percieving. The general consensus seems to be that either Kovalev KOs Clev early or Clev takes the early punishment then grinds out a points win due to his (probably) superior stamina. Both the bookies and most polls have Kovalev a slight favourite going into the bout, but the sober view on balance is that you're right, it's close to 50/50.

That said, I'm expecting an early RND 4-6 Kovalev TKO. But I certainly don't discount the possibility of a Clev PTS win. My only worry is that Terry O'Conner might award Clev a dodgy stoppage, or look for reasons to penalise Kovalev to put him off his game.

[Boxing Goat]

Going into the fight Saturday, all I'm hearing from boxing scribes and around the forums is Kovalev is going to blast Cleverly out within 6 rounds.

Am I the only one thinking that Cleverly is being taken too lightly? I'm a fan of both guys and I view this fight as 50-50.

Kovalev undoubtedly has great power, and he's no slugger he looks for openings, but he's not the polished fighter that say Golovkin is, But his jab has power and his right hand is dangerous.

Cleverly hasn't shown the kind of power that can keep guys wary, but he's got fantastic athleticism, reflexes and a world class chin. He leaves himself open by times to the left hook but I think he'll have shored up his defence for this, and he's a big guy for this weight as you can tell by his frame. Also he's got underrated body punching ability which I think will stand to him in the fight if he takes it late..

Anyways this is a fight I've been looking forward to for a while, what do you guys think?

Personally , I think people are kind of riding the Kovalev bandwagon right now an way underestimating Cleverly. I know more about Cleverly and know for fact that this will not be an early KO win for Sergey. He should just forget about that right now. Clev has too good of skills and chin for that. I'm leaning toward a hard fought decision win for Nathan. I admit that it's an even fight but to me, NC has faced better opposition across the board and has had more rounds in way more title fights.

[STEELHEAD]

Cleverly gets hit cleanly too much. He won't get away with that against Kovalev. Plus I don't think he has the power to keep him honest.

RIP Nathan Not-so-Clever-ly.

i believe this ^^^
most britts have a hard time getting beon the second tier stage. and as of right now thats what i think of cleverly.

[Gojira]

I wouldn't at all be surprised if Clev soundley outboxes him

[mathed]

Going into the fight Saturday, all I'm hearing from boxing scribes and around the forums is Kovalev is going to blast Cleverly out within 6 rounds.

Am I the only one thinking that Cleverly is being taken too lightly? I'm a fan of both guys and I view this fight as 50-50.

Kovalev undoubtedly has great power, and he's no slugger he looks for openings, but he's not the polished fighter that say Golovkin is, But his jab has power and his right hand is dangerous.

Cleverly hasn't shown the kind of power that can keep guys wary, but he's got fantastic athleticism, reflexes and a world class chin. He leaves himself open by times to the left hook but I think he'll have shored up his defence for this, and he's a big guy for this weight as you can tell by his frame. Also he's got underrated body punching ability which I think will stand to him in the fight if he takes it late..

Anyways this is a fight I've been looking forward to for a while, what do you guys think?

Cleverly has been improving and is now just coming into his prime. I think he'll outwork Kovalev for a decision win.

I agree, Cleverly looks pretty sharp and I feel his movement and body punching will prove to be too much for Kovalev and he will wear down after 5 rounds and lose a UD. A big guy that punches with brutal intentions on every shot who rarely sees a 4th round is going to have issues with stamina as the fight progresses. Add in repeated left hooks to the liver and what little mobility he has will be gone, leaving him a sitting duck in rounds 8-12. Just my opinion.......this is of course provided Cleverly avoids major damage early on.