Why is Kovalev fighting club-level fighter like Cedric Agnew???

[TheGreatest27]

From that link:

“John David Jackson said, ‘Don’t fight Hopkins, because Hopkins will ruin your fighter’s career.’ And that’s why Kovalev and Main Events, Kathy Duva, bypassed the mandatory with me and fought Cleverly."

A month earlier:

Hopkins would Kovalev similarly to how he beat Pavlik.

[HeroBando]

Hopkins would Kovalev similarly to how he beat Pavlik.

Maybe so, though he's a lot older, Kovalev more fleet of foot than Pavlik and a natural LHW. But that's beside the point. The point is, you don't have your guys reject the fight and tell him to go fight another guy, then **** on him for doing just that and pretend he's avoided you.

[Da Machine]

Hopkins would Kovalev similarly to how he beat Pavlik.

Pavlik was a 160lb fighter forced to fight at 170. That fight was a farce. Kovlev would destroy old ass Hopkins at this point. His last fight was a joke.

[BennyBlanco]

He has never lost a fight and he is rated as the 15th best light heavyweight in the world. Probably some of the guys ranked higher than him turned down offers to fight Kovalev because they don't want to get knocked out. Cedric is way above club level. Kovalev has the same problem GGG has. Few high ranked guys have the courage to risk their high rating by fighting them.

If he's way above club level, why has he fought guys with records of 13-14-2 and 21-39-2 within the last 18 months?

Facing opposition that weak doesn't qualify you to fight the best in the division.

Agnew lasts at most 3 rounds. Won't win a second of the fight. Kovalev-Agnew does not belong on HBO. That's a FS1 or NBC Sports Network level fight.

[HeroBando]

If he's way above club level, why has he fought guys with records of 13-14-2 and 21-39-2 within the last 18 months?

Facing opposition that weak doesn't qualify you to fight the best in the division.

Agnew lasts at most 3 rounds. Won't win a second of the fight. Kovalev-Agnew does not belong on HBO. That's a FS1 or NBC Sports Network level fight.

Your suggestions were probably worse. Again, Stevenson and Kovalev had similarly bare resumes a year ago. Shumenov probably doesn't have a win (legit) better than Mack.

[Box-Office]

He does hold a win over Yusuf Mack so hes a solid contender i shall say. Its 175 we're talking about. Most times it sucks in depth besides the top 3 fighters or so.

Most of the best and biggest fights recently have been between 140-168 so we're use to thinking as if every division has depth.

[BG_Knocc_Out]

Kovalev is keeping busy, so who gives a shit?

[The Problem Child]

Kovalev is keeping busy, so who gives a shit?

Nice avy.

[dan_cov]

Guys are hardly queuing too fight Kovalev. Agnew heard he needed an opponent as Kathy Duva put out at an interview he was the first/only one to call.
Shouldn't we be praising this guy for jumping at the challenge?

Hes young, confident, undefeated, solid amateur background and experienced in the pro ranks. Hes untested for most part but he is very skilled, he looks a very intelligent young fighter.

I like this fight and look forward to seeing what Agnew is about when he takes what will be a huge step up.

[sugarsmosley]

a keep em busy/showcase fight..... nobody is saying kovalev is a p4p for fighting agnew. its a decent fight... i hope theres a decent undercard, after all its on HBO. haha