best version of Sergei kovelev we've seen?

[BM dnobagaV]

Best version of Kov was the one that beat ward in the first fight

Kovalev was already past-it physically when he fought Ward the first time.

[BoxingFan85]

This isn't his best version, that'll have to be Kovalev pre-Ward I fight. I feel he is feeling his age now too and is slower on his feet and hands a tad bit than he was say in 2015-2016

[pillowfists98]

The best was probably the one that demolished Pascal in the rematch. That was Kovalev at his physical prime. But with Buddy McGirt in his corner he's boxing very intelligently now and focusing less on the KO which suits him as a 35 year old.

[Vlad_]

Kovalev’s age is showing, so not his best version in that sense, but he definitely used all of his experience and knowledge to fight smart. Definitely one of Kova’s smartest fights.

[kingstip9]

Probably the smartest he's fought but his physical prime is in the rear view mirror

Just waiting for the glass to shatter any minute like you assured everyone it would

[daggum]

alvarez was told to lose by trump and the russians. real back door stuff. sad to see it corrupt such a clean sport like boxing

[Citizen Koba]

Kovalev was already past-it physically when he fought Ward the first time.

Not just physically, IMO - maybe silk sheets syndrome or perhaps fatherhood but I think he'd started losing his edge even before the Chilemba fight.

[Ray*]

Best version of Kov was the one that beat ward in the first fight

Agreed. I thought that was the best kov due to the high level of ward. And yes I thought he won the first fight.

[MDPopescu]

Nope, he fought like he has most of his career. He just didn't have to worry about much coming back from a fighter who didn't show up.

Any decent LHW who is hungry will take that title off his hands.

Best version of Kov was the one that beat ward in the first fight

Kovalev was already past-it physically when he fought Ward the first time.

This isn't his best version, that'll have to be Kovalev pre-Ward I fight. I feel he is feeling his age now too and is slower on his feet and hands a tad bit than he was say in 2015-2016

Kovalev’s age is showing, so not his best version in that sense, but he definitely used all of his experience and knowledge to fight smart. Definitely one of Kova’s smartest fights.

... like many Russians, Kova seems to have a "drinking problem"... and, with age, this was beginning to cause stamina issues... Kova's boxing style never changed...

[deathofaclown]

Definitely not the best, but he boxed well.

He's always been underrated when it comes to boxing ability. I felt he beat Ward the first time and outboxed him a lot, especially early on. I think he fell in love with his power though and abandoned some of his other abilities.

He fought a smart fight last night. I thought he would lose because i thought he was done and Alvarez might have his number. Maybe he was telling the truth that he over-trained for the last night.

I think Alvarez will be disappointed when he watches it back though. I think he could've done more, even though Kovalev deserves credit the fact he didn't too.