Do you think Sergey Kovalev is a SKILLFUL fighter

[slimshandy69]

I do not want any mention of power. I am referring to boxing IQ, footwork, combinations and defence. Do you rate these attributes.

[Ray*]

Oh yes. The way he sets up his punches, cut off the ring is something to be admire, I don't even think he throws with any venom but he has power with the placement of his punches. The way he fought cleverly made me a fan period.

[bojangles1987]

Offensively he's a machine. Does a decent job cutting off the ring, throws every punch and shows decent enough placement. Other than his last fight he mixes up to the body well.

[slimshandy69]

Personally i though Agnew looks a very good prospect. IMP could beat alot of Light Heavyweights including decisioning Fonfora. So that was kovalevs most impressive performance in my books as he had to break someone down.

Im biased, but to me kovalev has done 3 different styles. Against a fast counter punter his output drops and he just times them(Saliak)

Against a stand infront guy he goes for sheer output(cleverly)

Against a slick defensive guy he mixes up the body and head(Agnew)


My concern was the Cleverly fight where he was tiring imo in round 3. But i dont know whether thats because cleverly has a great engine.

[Ray*]

I didn't think he got tired or was tired against cleverly at all, maybe I need to watch the fight again, I really don't think anyone can compete with him at 175 except Hopkins probably and that's because B-hop can be a spoiler and he is alway proving people wrong.

[Bird1]

He's a clever fighter, he sets everything up in a smart way. He barely loses any rounds, many other power punchers can get outboxed and are just looking for that shot to end the fight. Kovalev outboxes the opponent and on top of that stops them. At least that's what I've been seeing so far.

[soul_survivor]

I do not want any mention of power. I am referring to boxing IQ, footwork, combinations and defence. Do you rate these attributes.

boxing IQ is average at best, footwork is slow and plodding, combinations are decent and defence looks to be ok.

He isn't all that skilled imo, and I know I'll get stick for that but he walks in a straight line, throwing looping right hands.

He's open to get beaten by Stevenson, remember what I said about Garcia/Matthysse, all yall gona jump off the bandwagon once the fight gets made.

[LacedUp]

Highly skillful, obviously hasn't had the chance to show it against top notch opposition yet, but he's impressive.

[New England]

yes.

he puts his punches together well, has a good mastery of distance, and is extremely accurate. if his chin and stamina can take him 12 hard rounds, he has a full toolbox.

[Boxing Goat]

Yes he's skillful. You don't just land punches on the right spot at the exact right time without skills. He knocks people put not only because he hits hard, it's also about timing and technique.