Tony Bellew's thoughts on Kovalev vs Stevenson.

[Hov]

Stevenson is talented, strong and he is very hard to hit. For me elusiveness is his best asset because he appears out of range then suddenly catches you with hard shots. He’s great at what he does and pound for pound he’s got to be one of the top three best punchers in the sport.”

Bellew (20-2-1, 12 knockouts) refused to blame making weight for his loss to “Superman” Stevenson and accorded the Canadian southpaw plenty of respect. He also offered a fascinating insight into a prospective collision between his conqueror and Russian dynamo, Sergey Kovalev, THE RING’s No. 2-rated light heavyweight.

“I’m very impressed with Kovalev,” said the British star. “I spent time with him when I was in Canada and he’s a gentleman, as well as an incredibly strong fighter. That said there might be a reason why his team (Main Events) avoids putting him in against big punchers.

“Not once has Kovalev been in with someone who can **** and Stevenson knocks out any 175-pound fighter he hits flush. I think Adonis stops Bernard Hopkins and I would also favor him over Kovalev at this point. If I’m wrong and Sergey can take a great shot then he, in my opinion, he is the best light heavyweight in the world.

“I just sense that he might be vulnerable under fire.”

Thought it was an interesting perspective coming from someone who is knowledgeable about both fighter

[Jim Tom]

Thought it was an interesting perspective coming from someone who is knowledgeable about both fighter

100% with Bellew. We could all see how Kovalev was getting hit by Chilemba and his head being moved backwards. Chilemba is not even a puncher. Now Stephenson is hard to nail but he can whack. I don't see how this fight can go past 9 rounds. Kovalev won't be put in with Stephenson, they don't mind Ward because Ward is not a known puncher. Ward however will embarass Kovalev.

[mannysavage]

Thought it was an interesting perspective coming from someone who is knowledgeable about both fighter

I agree with Bellew 100%, i dont usually like Bellew but what he said here was spot on, ive said in numerous threads before that its really suspect that Kovalev hasnt faced any big punchers before, and he was hurt in his first fight with Pascal, i think the problem is people are comparing him with Golovkins iron chin and assumes that Kovalev has one too, but the fact of the matter is that Kovalevs chin is very average, and i would even go as far as sayin that Stevenson takes a punch better then Kovalev

The Overhand Right that Darnell Boone knocked out Adonis with in their 1st fight was the perfectly timed punch and couldve happened to anyone, Adonis chin is underrated

[Derranged]

Give me a break... Stevenson has a puncher's chance at best.

[Dean_Razorback]

Give me a break... Stevenson has a puncher's chance at best.

agree. chilemba landed on Kovalev but still, didn't hurt the guy. it's not like he is getting rocked by feather fisted fighters like some sort of khan. stevensons is a punchers too, so yeah, he might KO kovalev if he lands flush duh.

[Derranged]

agree. chilemba landed on Kovalev but still, didn't hurt the guy. it's not like he is getting rocked by feather fisted fighters like some sort of khan. stevensons is a punchers too, so yeah, he might KO kovalev if he lands flush duh.

Stevenson has been knocked out before. His arsenal is more or less limited to his counter straight left. He's got no jab, no right hook and he's not much of a body puncher. His stamina is crap and he's 38 years old.

Kovalev is younger, has better stamina, power in both hands, throws a wide variety of punches.

How anyone can seriously favor Stevenson is beyond me.

[////]

Stevenson couldn't knock out Hopkins because he refused to fight him. Same reason he couldn't knock out Kovalev or Pascal.

It's cool how we've "elected" Stevenson into elite status without him actually doing anything. It's great to give free millions to a man imprisoned for underage sex trafficking, basically a pedophile.

[////]

Stevenson has been knocked out before. His arsenal is more or less limited to his counter straight left. He's got no jab, no right hook and he's not much of a body puncher. His stamina is crap and he's 38 years old.

Kovalev is younger, has better stamina, power in both hands, throws a wide variety of punches.

How anyone can seriously favor Stevenson is beyond me.

I've been trying to figure out the Stevenson thing for years. Obviously it's not his resume or his style people are fawning over because he's a stocky basic puncher with 1-2 good wins?

I think it all comes down to some people being obsessed with lineal titles and believing they grant you magical powers.

[therealpugilist]

People trash stevenson but he has the ability to beat both Kovalev and Ward

I remember years ago, I had a ring magazine that had him featured in the new faces article. Not too long after he lost an upset to Darnell Boone. I hadnt watched much of him but he definitely had talent

fast forward some years and now he is the lineal and wbc light heavyweight champion of the world with 6 defenses

While champion he has defeated Bellew who recently won a title at cruiser, former super middleweight champion Bika, Tavoris Cloud a former titleholder, and has been a good champion

people label him a duck, i just never looked into the situation, I just know Stevenson/Kov never happened

If Stevenson gets past Williams, I want to see him face the winner of Kov/Ward ASAP


Stevenson is the hardest puncher in the division. He is the consistent boxer puncher that Kov is nor the technician that Ward is but he does bring a combination of athleticism, speed and true one power that could put them both out


Neither can say they are the man at 175 until they beat Stevenson

[1g5a22]

Ermhhh didn't Stevenson get dropped by Fonfara not long ago? Yet he cites Kovalevs vulnerability? I never saw Boone KO Kovalev either! Shut-up Tony u clown..