Guys, can we at least agree that Kovalev is stronger than Froch?

[El JACKAL]

Froch went life and death to decision Pascal while Kovalev destroyed and stopped Pascal twice at 175.

Froch gave prime Ward a great fight at 168 and came on strong late in the fight while Ward looked tired, it was 7-5 or 8-4 for Ward. It was NOT one-sided like some people claim.

Ward is now in a new division and coming off a lay-off, fighting a bigger, stronger, and meaner version of Froch in Krusher.

Don't be fooled by the fight today, if the Kovalev from the Pascal or Hopkins fight shows up Ward will be in for the fight of his life.

Thoughts?

[Weebler I]

I don't think Froch gave Ward a great fight, he won 4 rounds at best.

However, if Kovalev landed the same punches Froch landed, Ward isn't going to go 12 rounds.

He has to be at least as good as he was in 2011, and probably better defensively.

[Motorcity Cobra]

C'mon man. The Pascal that Kovalev fought isn't the same Pascal that Froch fought. I was thinking about this the other day. We know Kovalev has never fought someone the level of Ward. But is it possible that Ward has fought someone the level of Kovalev? Or at least close to it?

[deathofaclown]

Of course he's stronger than Froch.

Froch always made 168 comfortably when active. He was perfectly built for the weight really and might not have made the jump up to 175 as well as some people. Froch could definitely crack but he was never known as a devastating puncher in general.

Sadly for Kovalev, it's not just about strength. I'm a fan of his but unless he can control the distance and fight at the exact distance he wants against Ward, then my man Kovalev is going to be in for a long frustrating night.

I don't really know how good Ward is right now though and it's easier said than done containing a guy like Kovalev for 12 rounds.

[Doctor_Tenma]

Of course Kovalev is, no denying that. The scariest part about Kovalev other than his power is that he has deceptively fast hands and he'll feint you to death.

[Earl-Hickey]

Yes he's a bigger man froch was a natural 168, he walked round not much higher than that.

What we don't know much about is kovalev chin and heart. Could he pull out the kind of victories froch did it remains to be seen.

[Redd Foxx]

You're using the Pascal from 8 years ago as a comparison for the shell of a fighter Kov fought? Come on...

I think they assert power in different ways. Froch had real 1-punch KOs whereas Kovalev's power is more cumulative and he will quickly wear down a guy with just a few shots.

I've never seen Kov at 168 or Froch at 175 so it's hard to say which is stronger-P4P. It's easy to forget about Froch when he's been out of the spotlight for a while but watch a highlight reel before being so quick to dismiss his strength. Frock was also fighting against a lot of talented guys in a stacked division. Kovelev's biggest challenge has been Chilemba. So, a little perspective is in order.

[Jim Tom]

Froch went life and death to decision Pascal while Kovalev destroyed and stopped Pascal twice at 175.

Froch gave prime Ward a great fight at 168 and came on strong late in the fight while Ward looked tired, it was 7-5 or 8-4 for Ward. It was NOT one-sided like some people claim.

Ward is now in a new division and coming off a lay-off, fighting a bigger, stronger, and meaner version of Froch in Krusher.

Don't be fooled by the fight today, if the Kovalev from the Pascal or Hopkins fight shows up Ward will be in for the fight of his life.

Thoughts?

You do realise the Pascal that Kovalev fought was an over the hill one right? Kovalev is not fit because he is used to blasting guys out there and not getting hit. Once he starts missing and getting countered his fitness is like that of a granny. Ward has an inside game, can tie ùp opponents and push them around. This fight is a mismatch.

[El JACKAL]

You're using the Pascal from 8 years ago as a comparison for the shell of a fighter Kov fought? Come on...

I think they assert power in different ways. Froch had real 1-punch KOs whereas Kovalev's power is more cumulative and he will quickly wear down a guy with just a few shots.

I've never seen Kov at 168 or Froch at 175 so it's hard to say which is stronger-P4P. It's easy to forget about Froch when he's been out of the spotlight for a while but watch a highlight reel before being so quick to dismiss his strength. Frock was also fighting against a lot of talented guys in a stacked division. Kovelev's biggest challenge has been Chilemba. So, a little perspective is in order.

Lol come on…. when did Pascal become a shell of a fighter? Because Kovalev stopped him? Not saying Pascal was prime of course, but calling him a shell of a fighter is going too far. Pascal was still a top fighter and had won every fight other than 2 close fights with Hopkins. The 1st beating from Kovalev did take a lot out of him though.

To me Kovalev is definitely more of a 1-punch artist while Froch tends to wear you down more with body shots. Kovalev has had more vicious 1-punch knockouts than Froch, but if you disagree that's fine.

Generally if we use a little common sense, higher weight = more punching power. Not always true but I think it's true in this case with Kovalev and Froch. I'm a fan of Froch, love his style and rooted for him in big fights but I just don't think he has the freakish power Kovalev has which seem to just come out of the blue

We know Kovalev has never fought someone the level of Ward. But is it possible that Ward has fought someone the level of Kovalev? Or at least close to it?

That's my point, the strongest puncher Ward has fought has been Froch at 168, who IMO doesn't hit as hard as Kovalev does at 175. I think the difference in power is considerable. Froch is a strong puncher but Kovalev's power in that right hand is freakish and explosive.

[El JACKAL]

I don't think Froch gave Ward a great fight, he won 4 rounds at best.

However, if Kovalev landed the same punches Froch landed, Ward isn't going to go 12 rounds.

He has to be at least as good as he was in 2011, and probably better defensively.

A lot of rounds in Ward vs Froch was close, don't get me wrong Ward obviously won 8-4, but I felt it was competitive to the end especially in the last few rounds where Froch came on strong. Froch def had a dumb game plan in that fight.

I agree Kovalev has the power to KO Ward especially since Ward is coming off a long lay-off and in a new weight.

IMO Kovalev's people were smart to ask for the fight this year, it gives Ward less time to shake of the rust. Both fighters will have to be perfect if they want to win this fight.