Comments Thread For: Stevenson, Haymon in Agreement on Kovalev Fight

[Weebler I]

Stevenson loses too much if ducks the fight. That's why I think Stevenson will go through with it. He'll lose his WBC belt. He'll lose his Ring belt (which is considered the lineal belt for most people) because he will have not fought a top 5 guys for 2 years. He'll lose his biggest payday. He'll lose any credibility he has left. Back when he first ducked Kovalev, at least he had options . But Kovalev went ahead and destroyed those options. He went into Stevenson's home turn and demolished one of Quebec's biggest stars in front of all of Stevenson's fans. There's no other belts to go to. There's no other paydays to go to. There's just no way Stevenson can avoid the fight. It would be too ridiculous even for boxing.

Kovalev can sort of "duck" the Stevenson fight without having his image hurt too much because he built up enough credibility in the past year and Stevenson has lost most of his. That's why I'm afraid Duva will take that risk by signing with HBO exclusively before the Stevenson fight can happen on another network. (If HBO doesn't put up enough money to help win the bid)

Agree, but possibly worth noting Haymon made IBO champ Oosthuizen an offer for a "big fight" in June. It's likely for another fighter but theoretically Stevenson could still claim to be a lineal LHW champ with a title belt. Not sure what that would do to his Ring belt status. There's maybe a Bute payday still out there too? All highly improbable of course but Haymon potentially could still chart a course if he was creative.

I'm not really that worried about Duva's side if there's no HBO contract, she's experienced enough to negotiate and HBO budget don't really have bucketloads of cash to throw at her by all accounts to give up on the bout.

[churchmouse]

If HBO loses the purse bid that would put Haymon in the driver's seat. I don't think they will lose the purse bid, and if they do then they deserved to be Al Haymon's *****. I think they learned their lesson.

[DoktorSleepless]

Agree, but possibly worth noting Haymon made IBO champ Oosthuizen an offer for a "big fight" in June. It's likely for another fighter but theoretically Stevenson could still claim to be a lineal LHW champ with a title belt. Not sure what that would do to his Ring belt status. There's maybe a Bute payday still out there too? All highly improbable of course but Haymon potentially could still chart a course if he was creative.

I'm not really that worried about Duva's side if there's no HBO contract, she's experienced enough to negotiate and HBO budget don't really have bucketloads of cash to throw at her by all accounts to give up on the bout.

There's not enough creativity in the world to avoid the Kovalev fight. Stevenson stock would become worthless, and I don't see what value Haymon would see in him. Might as well cash him out.

When was the last time a fighter had such a strong claim as the #1 challenger for a shot at the lineal championship? However flimsy, the top guys can usually fall on excuses to avoid someone. "He doesn't have a belt" "He has a weak resume" "He has an ugly style" "He has no fans" "He doesn't bring enough money" "Fight needs to be built up more"

Sometimes those excuses are half-valid and it's debatable to an extent if someone has "earned" a shot way above anyone else. Maybe some of those excuses could have been used last year, but not anymore.

The only thing that I think can stop this fight is a legal contractual dispute, and right now there is none, unless Duva fucks it up with HBO.

[dnash1911]

There's not enough creativity in the world to avoid the Kovalev fight. Stevenson stock would become worthless, and I don't see what value Haymon would see in him. Might as well cash him out.

When was the last time a fighter had such a strong claim as the #1 challenger for a shot at the lineal championship? However flimsy, the top guys can usually fall on excuses to avoid someone. "He doesn't have a belt" "He has a weak resume" "He has an ugly style" "He has no fans" "He doesn't bring enough money" "Fight needs to be built up more"

Sometimes those excuses are half-valid and it's debatable to an extent if someone has "earned" a shot way above anyone else. Maybe some of those excuses could have been used last year, but not anymore.

The only thing that I think can stop this fight is a legal contractual dispute, and right now there is none, unless Duva fucks it up with HBO.

Haymon is playing chess, lol

[_original_]

I don't care how it comes together, I just want to see this fight.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

Please make this fight...


I hope sakio bika doesn't spoil it

[Sugar Adam Ali]

What happens when roc nation wins the purse bid?????

[Dr Rumack]

There's not enough creativity in the world to avoid the Kovalev fight. Stevenson stock would become worthless, and I don't see what value Haymon would see in him. Might as well cash him out.

More to the point he actually has a shot at winning.

Maybe Haymon has long term plans to sacrifice him to a younger guy though. Or maybe his strategy means all rivals have to be denied any sort of success, and Kovalev taking out Stevenson would certainly be that.

[bojangles1987]

And now I'm worrying the IBF won't let Kovalev wait to defend against Mohammedi, the WBC or Haymon will refuse to wait for the WBC mandatory, and Kovalev will end up choosing to defend his IBF belt instead of fighting Stevenson.

[bojangles1987]

I don't care how it comes together, I just want to see this fight.

Same. Come on, boxing. Give us this one.