Comments Thread For: Duva: Kovalev Must Remain Motivated For Lesser Fight

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

According to his promoter, among the things Sergey Kovalev must prove Saturday night is that he can remain motivated for a title defense he’ll enter as a heavy favorite.

Several Internet sports books have installed Kovalev (27-0-1, 24 KOs) as a 50-1 favorite over mandatory challenger Nadjib Mohammedi (37-3, 23 KOs) as they move toward their 12-round fight Saturday night at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas (HBO; 10 p.m. ET/PT). The Russian knockout artist was favored over Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal as well, but those two accomplished opponents were at least considered live underdogs prior to Kovalev’s victories over them.
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[Cinci Champ]

or u know the other option is not pulling out of purse bids for what would of been the fight of his career there is that

[saintpat]

I suspect this will be an ongoing challenge for Kovalev for the next period of his career ... as HBO won't pony up to back him and Main Events to make the bigger fights (as shown by the lack of willingness to go head-to-head with Haymon on the purse bid).

Duva said as much in the other story: "People will tune in to see Kova fight no matter who the opponent is."

That is the strategy: good ratings, easy wins, minimal investment.

[aboutfkntime]

I suspect this will be an ongoing challenge for Kovalev for the next period of his career ... as HBO won't pony up to back him and Main Events to make the bigger fights (as shown by the lack of willingness to go head-to-head with Haymon on the purse bid).

Duva said as much in the other story: "People will tune in to see Kova fight no matter who the opponent is."

That is the strategy: good ratings, easy wins, minimal investment.

Good point, you could be right there.

But I like Kovalev, I hope he comes good.

Kovalev should put this guy away, not fight him on his level, walk over him.