Comments Thread For: Sergey Kovalev Survives Scare, Knocks Anthony Yarde Out in 11th

[Verus]

history with an asterix as per RJJ vs Ruiz, as per Canelo vs Fielding - hell, why not just go after Pascal, he has a 'belt' now

I will buy the asterisk idea if every "champion" in each weight class is assigned an asterisk except one, or if there is only one world champion per weight class. So the vast majority of the championship fights would have to label a fight for the "asterisk championship" of this weight class or that weight class. Why only attach an asterisk to Canelo if he wins and not all dozens of other current so-called champions? Let's be consistent. Yes, I rather like the asterisk idea.

[Eff Pandas]

It is simple. If a fighters is A) defenseless, B) not fighting back and not throwing punches C) gets dropped and gets up on shaky legs at the count of 9, then he was almost knocked out.

LOL okay.

Those sound like KO wins more than almost KO wins.

[Verus]

Canelo pfp is very possibly the best body shot puncher in the game...but at 175 I have to say I don't think he would hit harder than Yarde...and Yarde actually went to the body quite well today, especially in the 8th round...perhaps if someone like Yarde can get to Kov, then a pfp guy like Canelo can do it easier.

Alternatively it is possible that Yarde with his size and athleticism edge was able to dig to the body better than Canelo would...and along with that, Kov I felt took almost all of Yarde's shots well today.

To be fair I am not sure exactly what happened to him in the 8th round...maybe the body shots exacerbated some fatigue, or maybe it was juts fatigue or just body shots...or maybe it was a head shot that had him bothered...hard for me to say when watching it live.

I just think it is a bit optimistic to look at certain Kov fights and think that Canelo can do all the same things that Kov's opponents have done well against him...Canelo will present his own problems...but he won't have the size of Alvarez or Yarde..and that is a big factor imo.

Physically he is probably closer to Ward's size than the other two guys mentioned...and maybe his plan is to do what Ward did vs Kov...but imo that gameplan led to a clear L in the first fight as for the first 6 rounds Ward was surviving trying to deal with the power and jab.

And even the 2nd fight when Ward knew what he had to do...he still was eating some heavy shots to get inside...without getting into whether some shots were low or not, and whether it was a clean win...imo Ward was only able to effective going to the body after 12 rounds of experience and even then he had to eat some big shots.

Canelo will present his own problems...and if he can beat Kov at 175 with no restrictions or even fight him competitively like I felt Yarde did tonight...I would give him a lot of props.

It is not just the body shots that make Canelo dangerous, it is that he is very fast and couples the body shots in combination with uppercuts and hooks to the head. But I still think that Kovalev should be favored to win in that fight.

[Monty Fisto]

Yarde's lack of 12-round conditioning was his eventual downfall. Early rounds, clearly the quicker fighter, which just about neutralised that superior jab of Kovalev. Needed to put in that body work earlier. Good 8th/9th round for Yarde, but he was himself already so fatigued there, that he spent himself trying to capitalise and seeking the KO. 11th was just a disaster, where all his energy was gone.

Kudos for travelling to Kovalev's backyard and acquitted himself well for a major portion of the fight, but it really was too much of a step up, too quickly.

Canelo's body shots I feel will see Kovalev off.

[Boxing_1013]

It is not just the body shots that make Canelo dangerous, it is that he is very fast and couples the body shots in combination with uppercuts and hooks to the head. But I still think that Kovalev should be favored to win in that fight.

Yeah Kov has probably a solid 4 inches on Canelo?...just think weight classes exist for a reason generally

[BigStomps]

Some people are talking like the Kovalev fight will be a walk in the park for Canelo, but this is a huge challenge for him. Kovalev is one of the best light heavyweights of the last 10 years. He is literally a killer in the ring with experience to match Canelo. You won't see Andrade, Golovkin, Charlo or Jacobs, all of whom tower over Canelo, challenge themselves in the same way. If Canelo does beat Kovalev -- and that is a big if-- it will be a historically significant fight. I hope that maybe then the haters will cut Canelo some slack.

Great assessment Man!
I agree with everything you said but we both know the hater's will always hate on Canelo no matter what he does or accomplishes..
They'll say he's ducking someone and/or cherry picking someone as always...
But you said it. Not to many fighter's jump up two weight divisions to fight a future Hall of Famer...
If Canelo beats Kovalev then it'll be a huge accomplishment!

[richardt]

LOL okay.

Those sound like KO wins more than almost KO wins.

Those are all cause/effect/outcome.

[JimmyD729]

Canelo’s chin is not underrated. Him and GGG probably have the best chin in the business. I have never seen either boxer do the stanky leg and they fought each other twice

Then you should go back and watch Canelo’s fight against (Jose) Cotto. He did the spaghetti leg dance against a 135er

[CaptainWalrus]

Canelo will fancy his chances here. His bodywork and movement looks to match up well. His team will follow Andre Ward's approach. But! Beware! This Kovalev can throw some nasty shots.

[chubuk7]

Canelo will knock Kovalev out with body shots, though I'd love to see the opposite result.

Canelo couldn't knock Chavez Jr. Wait and see. Kova in 6 guaranteed!