Where do you rate Sergey Kovalev?

[bojangles1987]

I think he's still below the elite level. He doesn't quite look it, and his competition isn't enough to call him elite yet. If he beats Ward, though, no more arguing that he's not elite.

[bojangles1987]

i rate him particularly high, A for now and A+ after he beats ward.

he has no flaws.

He has huge flaws in his balance and tendency to overreach. He always squares up way too often. That's the biggest reason I think Ward beats him. You can't constantly throw yourself off balance and square up like Kovalev does and get away with it against a fighter as smart as Ward. Sergey will need to avoid those tendencies in this fight.

Kovalev's defense also relies far too much on retreating backwards, which makes him very vulnerable to big shots.

[NaijaD]

I never said he had to be HOF. I was replying to the fool who said Pascal had never been number one.

Btw, as I always say, if a glorified journeyman like Gatti could make it into the HOF, everyone should be there.

Oh he definitely was briefly after beating Dawson.

We all know Gatti made it more so on sympathy than merit, he definitely wasn't HOF worthy based on his achievements or performances, no matter how brave he was in the ring.

[soul_survivor]

Oh he definitely was briefly after beating Dawson.

We all know Gatti made it more so on sympathy than merit, he definitely wasn't HOF worthy based on his achievements or performances, no matter how brave he was in the ring.

agreed Captain

[The Hammer]

Kovalev does look better in some fights than others.

He looked great in the Sillakh and Cleverly fights, less so in the Agnew and Chilemba fights but still very good.

I thought Hopkins' clever crafty style would cause him to not seem as good as usual, but he looked great against B-Hop.

[danceswithfire]

ELITE as ward is

[The Hammer]

Kovalev has many flaws, you just can't see them.

So what are they, Mr Hippo?

[KingHippo]

So what are they, Mr Hippo?

He's has poor balance and doesn't keep form. Bad footwork too. Gets flustered when backed up and goes straight into panic mode. Can't pivot. No head movement. Can't fight on the inside.

[The Hammer]

He's has poor balance and doesn't keep form. Bad footwork too. Gets flustered when backed up and goes straight into panic mode. Can't pivot. No head movement. Can't fight on the inside.

I think his footwork is very good, he just doesn't dance. His legs are in position to deliver power shots. He pivots quite well.

He does move his head, but can sometimes be caught with a quick punch he doesn't expect.

He seems strong enough on the inside, he doesn't clinch, clamp or head butt though.

I've watched nearly all his fight but I've never seen him flustered or go into panic mode.

[KingHippo]

I think his footwork is very good, he just doesn't dance, his legs are in position to deliver power shots. He pivots quite well.

He does move his head, but can sometimes be caught with a quick punch he doesn't expect.

He seems strong enough on the inside, he doesn't clinch, clamp or head butt though.

I've watched nearly all his fight but I've never seen him flustered or go into panic mode.

He doesn't pivot at all, you just made that up.

It's clear you're not here for an actual boxing debate so I'll leave you alone now.