Kovalev vs Shabranskyy now for the vacant WBO

[John Locke]

Much better opponent than the bums that Stevenson and Beterbiev are fighting though... As for those losses, first one really wasn’t, second one was stopped under very sketchy circumstances. Kovalev is still top at LHW if his will and motivation are there...

Shabranskyy is no better than the guys Stevenson has been fighting and Stevenson rightly gets called out for the level of his opposition. Beterbiev is a high risk low reward contender, different status to Kovalev.

Kovalev lost both fights against Ward, the first one was close and if you personally scored it for Kovalev that's cool, but it's your opinion.

[garfios]

hahahaha barrera ***ed up.

he didn't ****ed up. he got screwed. they didn't offer the title...

[Vlad_]

Shabranskyy is no better than the guys Stevenson has been fighting and Stevenson rightly gets called out for the level of his opposition. Beterbiev is a high risk low reward contender, different status to Kovalev.

Kovalev lost both fights against Ward, the first one was close and if you personally scored it for Kovalev that's cool, but it's your opinion.

Shabransky is an understandable comeback fight for Kovalev after his losses, and if he wins and gets that WBO belt, it will boost his confidence and I am sure he will get back in there against top guys for the other belts. Kovalev is not the type to duck the best. Adonis has been perpetually defending his belt against low level zero risk opponents.

[NEETzsche]

I wonder how Barrera feels right now. He turned down 300-350K (?) for Kovalev because he wanted to fight for a title, and now a fighter he knocked out is getting a nice payday and a title shot.

He still has a good chance of fighting for the vacant WBA and if he wins that then he'll undoubtedly get a bigger purse to face Kovalev in what would then become a unification bout. But his likely opponent is Bivol, I guess, which is a big ask

[Randall Cunning]

He still has a good chance of fighting for the vacant WBA and if he wins that then he'll undoubtedly get a bigger purse to face Kovalev in what would then become a unification bout. But his likely opponent is Bivol, I guess, which is a big ask

WBA have said the Supers gone from the division, Bivols the full champion

[NEETzsche]

WBA have said the Supers gone from the division, Bivols the full champion

Didn't hear about that. I guess Barrera books a place in the Cuban Businessman Hall of Fame. Could still be Bivol's first mandatory though

[Oluminati]

Nicely shared them out aint they, one to HBO, one to ESPN, one off to Russia, other in Showtimes hands. Good luck with unifications.

And then fans will ultimately blame the fighters

[John Locke]

Shabransky is an understandable comeback fight for Kovalev after his losses, and if he wins and gets that WBO belt, it will boost his confidence and I am sure he will get back in there against top guys for the other belts. Kovalev is not the type to duck the best. Adonis has been perpetually defending his belt against low level zero risk opponents.

I got no problem with Kovalev taking this fight after 2 losses, but for a title? That's a bit much, they give out world titles like it's candy these days. I haven't seen Kovalev duck anybody so I can't question his willingness to take tough fights. I don't know why you're comparing him to Stevenson, a fighter nobody takes seriously anymore.

[Randall Cunning]

Could still be Bivol's first mandatory though

For sure, think after the next round of fights him and Gvozdyk will both be mandatory to 2 titles each.

[sicko]

As Expected!