Would a Canelo win over Kovalev surpass RJJ's...

[ShoulderRoll]

Could Kovalev have beaten Evander Holyfield and Kirk Johnson?

No, he barely beat Anthony f**king Yarde.

Why not? Fat James Toney knocked out that version of Holyfield.

[ShaneMosleySr]

James Toney was always fat and he’s a legend.

Toney beat Ruiz too.

Why not? Fat James Toney knocked out that version of Holyfield.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Win over John Ruiz?


If Canelo pulls it off it'll be one of the best wins of all time. Almost nobody jumps up 2 divisions to fight a feared champion puncher, a top 2 guy in the division that can also box. This is a guy that has had 90% of his bouts at 140-154.

In terms of feats it rivals Roy Jones's win over Ruiz & Ruiz wasn't an elite guy at HW like Sergey is at 175

Kovalev is a much better fighter than Ruiz, so you could argue it’s a better win but it’s nowhere near as good as an achievement.

Several fighters have won titles from 154 to 175. (Hearns, McCallum, Leonard.) What Roy done has only been done once before and that was over a century ago by Bob Fitzsimmons in 1903. On top of that, the size/weight difference is far worse, Canelo will likely be 20 lbs lighter than Kovalev at most in the ring. Roy was giving up over 30 lbs at the weigh in.

[Damn Wicked]

JohnRuiz was old and lumbering at the point Jones fought him, and Ruiz was never a great fighter to begin with. This version of Kovalev would be a much better win.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

2 of his last 5 fights have been at super middleweight.

And Canelo fans even claim he’s a three division champion because he has the WBA 168-pound title.

He’s moving up one division.

Roy Jones basically moved up 60 pounds. This conversation is hilarious.

Hearns beating Hill and Toney beating Jirov are also more impressive IMO...

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Why not? Fat James Toney knocked out that version of Holyfield.

Lol...

03 James Toney was a beast.

Won FOTY that year if I remember correctly.

[hmc87]

If he dominates Kovalev - yes.

Mr. Middleweight Ca$hnelo aka Mr. POUND-FOR-POUND CA$HNELO AKA GENNADY DADDY CA$HNELO

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

JohnRuiz was old and lumbering at the point Jones fought him, and Ruiz was never a great fighter to begin with. This version of Kovalev would be a much better win.

🤣🤣....

He was 31, coming off the best run of his career and regained the HW title in 2003/04 against former Lineal champ Hasim Rahman, who himself became WBC champ again in 2005/06 I think.

[Mindgames]

Yes

Canelo would have a better resume than RJJ too

I dont think hes done anything quite comparable to wiping the floor with Bhop and shutting out 94 James Toney. In fact, even the wins over Johnson and Hill are ahead of most of Canelos best wins imo.

[boliodogs]

I think Canelo's win would be better because Ruiz was really lousy and not the real heavyweight champ. I don't agree that Canelo beating Kovalev would be one of the best wins of all time. I think Kovalev is almost shot and ready to be beaten. He lost 3 of his last 7 fights and was damn near KOed by lousy Yarde. If he was still good Canelo would not be a huge favorite to beat him. The betting places study the boxers and usually get the odds right. Their living depends a lot on it. Canelo is a 4 or 5 to 1 favorite to win so how is it a great historical win when he is such a huge favorite to win? If Canelo were fighting Callum Smith, Bivol, Beterbiev or GGG the odds would be close to even and they would all be better wins than beating Kovalev in my opinion. I think Canelo KOs Kovalev with body punches in the mid or late rounds and wins without much difficulty. I think Smith, Bivol, Beterbiev and GGG would all also beat Kovalev. The Kovalev of a few years ago would be a different story but that was then and this is now.