kovalev beats stevenson....pretty convincingly

[_original_]

Kovalev is more versatile and can apply more pressure and make opportunities and make things happen. Stevenson is more of a stalker looking for his chance to land big. Kovalev has better balance and has a better chance of dictating the terms on how the fight is fought but if Stevenson lands big and early that could all go out the window. Neither has faced as dangerous a puncher as each other I see the odds being 55/60 Kovalev tp 45/40 Stevenson.

That's actually wrong, Stevenson is more of a counter puncher who prefers his opponents to lead. However, that's a testament to Stevenson being an underrated fighter because he's demonstrated he can be versatile and lead if need be. It's really a good match up because both guy's style falls into the other guys gameplan.

[Foreign Soil]

Both of these guys are underrated due to their power. Any time there's a power puncher you've got these so called "sweet science" fans thinking they're just brawlers. Both can do more than just punch, it's been shown time and time again.

[bojangles1987]

I think Kovalev would win, but there are plenty of questions about him fighting a counter puncher with power. Kovalev isn't exactly hard to hit.

Fight needs to happen.

[jayblack]

i mean many boxing fans believe Kovalev could beat Wlad....how is stevenson going to be a threat to him

Stevenson has shown that he is not just a puncher, but that he can also box as well. Kovalev is a solid fighter, but he does not have as many intangibles as Stevenson. Stevenson will win the fight eighter by UD or late stoppage from an accumulation of punishment.

[KingTito]

I can see it going either way. I'm not a particularly huge fan of Stevenson, but I won't let that cloud my judgement. He can definitely win this fight. To me, this is an electrifying toss up fight and needs to happen. It's great excitement for the higher weight classes.

[Citizen Koba]

Again - this is what makes it one of the most compelling fights to be made right now. For me Kovalev is the superior fighter in terms of skill, but as an aggressive pressure fighter he's playing onto Stevensons greatest asset.

Stevenson is quick and whilst perhaps slightly limited shows a good awareness and some wrinkles to let him make the most out of what he does - add to this great speed and one punch power and he's a very very dangerous fighter.

Kovalev is a mobile, light footed but very heavy handed swarmer who throws almost every punch with serious intent, and can find KO punches seemingly out of no-where. Added to wealth of amateur experience this makes him incredibly dangerous, though his willingness to take risks to land his own hurt could cost him against Stevenson.

One thing that is for sure is that a single lapse in concentration on either side could lead to the fight ending in short order. There is no fight I want to see more in 2014.

I favour Kovalev, by an early to mid TKO for what it's worth, but would be entirely unsurprised by it going the other way - all it'd take would be one mistake...

[GTL]

I think once Stevenson feels kovalev's power, he will back pedal and try and potshot. Eventually I see kovalev getting to him and it being stopped by the ref

I'm not big on Stevenson. Nothing against him, he's a decent fighter.

I don't think he's champion caliber even tho he's got a belt

[VG_Addict]

I think the Bellew fight showed that Stevenson gets frustrated when his opponent tries to make him lead. Stevenson also may not have the best chin, as he was knocked out by Boone and briefly rocked by Bellew.