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

[KJB]

All fighters say this and feel this way leading into a fight.

I have yet to hear a fighter say, "this guy will kick my ass, but I'll try my best".

There is no reason to think he doesn't believe it, though. Young guy, just at the start of his prime, a lot of pro victories: He SHOULD believe he can win this fight. If he doesn't he's in the wrong sport.

At this point it's going to be hard to find interesting opponents for Kovalev, the man is a ****ing Killer. Fighting a young, undefeated up and comer shouldn't be held against him, though.

[SintilatingDTS]

HBO is totally out of control with the mismatches, their schedule to end last year was a complete joke, and now the Kovalev and Stevenson mismatches, disappointing. I'm sure GGG gets another televized massacre as well.

[Hougigo]

Look at the LHW division.... there's really nothing there at all.
This fight is probably going to cost less than a lot of other fights and that's why it's happening. Cheap, keeps the fighter active, and it'll get decent ratings.

Who would you rather have him fight?

Look at his available opponents and pick who you'd rather have him fight...because you'll complain about all of them

[IronDanHamza]

"Cedric Agnew is not a bad fight"

NSB.

[just the facts]

Hopefully the guys with the deep pockets (HBO, Showtime) start using their influence to make Quillen, GGG, Kovalev, and MGarcia start fighting quality opposition.

[Derranged]

The child-peddler doesn't want to fight.

Why don't you make a thread about him?

[King_]

Look at the LHW division.... there's really nothing there at all.
This fight is probably going to cost less than a lot of other fights and that's why it's happening. Cheap, keeps the fighter active, and it'll get decent ratings.

Who would you rather have him fight?

Look at his available opponents and pick who you'd rather have him fight...because you'll complain about all of them

Don't you know? They would rather him not fight at all....

[The Big Dunn]

Kovalev is cheap labor. HBO doesn't want him to lose before a Stevenson fight which I expect will have great ratings and be a big seller in Canada. SO expect him to get easy fights, against no names who make even less than he does, until the stevenson fight happens.

[hhs661]

Cedric Agnew is a young, hungry lion. He's fought through the ranks and has managed to earn a shot of being on boxing's premier network against Kovalev. I'm all for this fight. Agnew is undefeated and extraordinary. Skills reminiscent of a young James Toney

[Citizen Koba]

Two issues here - firstly there simply ain't many decent LHWs who haven't already been starched by one of the dynamic duo.

Braehmer would be OK but has provd elusive in the past when it comes to fighting titlists.

Chilemba - meh.

Murat - GTFOH - what because he got a shot against Hopkins he's legit? The only notable things on his resume are two german gift decisions (a Win and a Draw) against Campillo and a loss to Cleverly.

Secondly - budget. HBO are saving money for bigger fights later (and it sounds like they'll need it to get Stevenson in the ring). Apparently Agnew decided to double his fee late in negotiations, and Kovalev has had to give up some of his own purse just to get the fight made. Let that sink in for a second - effectively Kovalev has had to pay Cedric Agnew to get in the ring with him.

Obviously any of the bigger names (the few that are left) would be out of the question.