Kovalev’s response to Beterbiev’s callout.

[BoxingIsGreat]

No one is going to convince me that Kovalev is a better boxer than Canelo.... NO ONE... not especially this version of Canelo who is almost Mayweather-like in his game, over this version of Kovalev. Yes kov was amazing in his rematch of the Alvarez fight, where he actually listened to his inner self and box to a game plan, but we don’t see that Kovalev that often.

Thank you.

At his best, I considered Kovalev more of a fighter-boxer than boxer. There's a distinction. There are also some pure fighters like GGG who are also boxers. There's then Floyd, Canelo's Prof.

[Curtis Harper]

What most top dogs do when people ''call them out''

[MaksBox]

I will agree that Canelo is more fluid, and has good boxing IQ... but Kovalev certainly has solid boxing IQ as well and has the experience. He is a "Boxer" and you saw him fall apart when he fought guys who are less inclined to fight clean... i.e. Ward.

Alvarez is the only fight that Kovalev lost because he clearly lost.... he was easily outboxing Alvarez... but then he missed a punch and got KTFO.... a part of it is due to his out of the ring activities.

And I think all of that is behind him, especially if you follow him on social media, you see the dedication to family and he has been working out consistently.

As a boxer, Kovalev is the most slick out of the LHW... although Bivol, is coming up really fast and in about 2 years, will be a freaking monster, if he stays at LHW.... and THAT I think, Bivol vs Kovalev, will be the fight, changing of the guard, retirement for Kovalev.... and being under the same broader umbrella, that is probably what is being considered.

Vs Canelo, this is why this is such an amazing boxing match....

You do have Kovalev... he is bigger, taller and not a Rocky Fielding... but he is coming out of 3 losses, (2 of them questionable) and getting KO'ed.... but he seems to be hitting second stride. His weakness is of course getting hit to the body... and Canelo can do precisely that.

At fight night, I think they will end up weighting around the same anyway. Kovalev does not put on a ton... and Canelo won't have to struggle to make weight.

Simply put, its a really ****in good boxing match. Two champions with different skill sets but both of which have extremely high boxing IQ and experience.

For Canelo... this is an absolutely ZERO LOSS scenario... even if he gets stopped by Kovalev... "Well, Canelo moved up to challenge guys far bigger than him."

And he already has a loss anyway, so nothing to protect.

For Canelo... this is purely an opportunity to cement his legacy as a ****in giant.

For Kovalev... this is another top level fight and a MUCH deserved career payday.

[Curtis Harper]

I will agree that Canelo is more fluid, and has good boxing IQ... but Kovalev certainly has solid boxing IQ as well and has the experience. He is a "Boxer" and you saw him fall apart when he fought guys who are less inclined to fight clean... i.e. Ward.

Alvarez is the only fight that Kovalev lost because he clearly lost.... he was easily outboxing Alvarez... but then he missed a punch and got KTFO.... a part of it is due to his out of the ring activities.

And I think all of that is behind him, especially if you follow him on social media, you see the dedication to family and he has been working out consistently.

As a boxer, Kovalev is the most slick out of the LHW... although Bivol, is coming up really fast and in about 2 years, will be a freaking monster, if he stays at LHW.... and THAT I think, Bivol vs Kovalev, will be the fight, changing of the guard, retirement for Kovalev.... and being under the same broader umbrella, that is probably what is being considered.

Vs Canelo, this is why this is such an amazing boxing match....

You do have Kovalev... he is bigger, taller and not a Rocky Fielding... but he is coming out of 3 losses, (2 of them questionable) and getting KO'ed.... but he seems to be hitting second stride. His weakness is of course getting hit to the body... and Canelo can do precisely that.

At fight night, I think they will end up weighting around the same anyway. Kovalev does not put on a ton... and Canelo won't have to struggle to make weight.

Simply put, its a really ****in good boxing match. Two champions with different skill sets but both of which have extremely high boxing IQ and experience.

For Canelo... this is an absolutely ZERO LOSS scenario... even if he gets stopped by Kovalev... "Well, Canelo moved up to challenge guys far bigger than him."

And he already has a loss anyway, so nothing to protect.

For Canelo... this is purely an opportunity to cement his legacy as a ****in giant.

For Kovalev... this is another top level fight and a MUCH deserved career payday.

Another fluky win that was easily avenged. No need for a 3rd.

Kov may be too big for Nelo and I don't think Nelo would ask Kov to drain himself to a point where it isn't fair.

[Vlad_]

I will agree that Canelo is more fluid, and has good boxing IQ... but Kovalev certainly has solid boxing IQ as well and has the experience. He is a "Boxer" and you saw him fall apart when he fought guys who are less inclined to fight clean... i.e. Ward.

Alvarez is the only fight that Kovalev lost because he clearly lost.... he was easily outboxing Alvarez... but then he missed a punch and got KTFO.... a part of it is due to his out of the ring activities.

And I think all of that is behind him, especially if you follow him on social media, you see the dedication to family and he has been working out consistently.

As a boxer, Kovalev is the most slick out of the LHW... although Bivol, is coming up really fast and in about 2 years, will be a freaking monster, if he stays at LHW.... and THAT I think, Bivol vs Kovalev, will be the fight, changing of the guard, retirement for Kovalev.... and being under the same broader umbrella, that is probably what is being considered.

Vs Canelo, this is why this is such an amazing boxing match....

You do have Kovalev... he is bigger, taller and not a Rocky Fielding... but he is coming out of 3 losses, (2 of them questionable) and getting KO'ed.... but he seems to be hitting second stride. His weakness is of course getting hit to the body... and Canelo can do precisely that.

At fight night, I think they will end up weighting around the same anyway. Kovalev does not put on a ton... and Canelo won't have to struggle to make weight.

Simply put, its a really ****in good boxing match. Two champions with different skill sets but both of which have extremely high boxing IQ and experience.

For Canelo... this is an absolutely ZERO LOSS scenario... even if he gets stopped by Kovalev... "Well, Canelo moved up to challenge guys far bigger than him."

And he already has a loss anyway, so nothing to protect.

For Canelo... this is purely an opportunity to cement his legacy as a ****in giant.

For Kovalev... this is another top level fight and a MUCH deserved career payday.

Good post. And yes, Kovalev does deserve a good payday. He was never the one to ask for plenty of money, and has always accepted his challenges, and travelled all over to face his opponents.