My Fight Prediction For Canelo vs Kovalev

[Freeworld124]

I want to get this out of the way early for two reasons. First one being so that it doesnt just seem like I am band wagon jumping after the fact, and the second is so that everyone that has a different opinion can say I told you so after all is said and done. Ok here we go.

Unless Kovalev has a sudden mind lapse and he fights like a 30 fight open class amateur, he should have no problems winning this fight. Canelo Alvarez asked for a challenge and he has one for this upcoming fight. Canelo will have to get inside of the reach of a fighter that is much taller than him and has a very good jab. Sergey Kovalevs jab comes at you with decent speed and can be fine tuned to his desire. He can blast you with a sharp and very stiff jab or he can double and triple it up on you while moving in a half circle. A lot of fighters do not double or triple up on jobs that are meant to hit you. They are simply range finders. Canelo will have to exploit the game plan that Andre Ward used in the second fight to smother the reach of Kovalev and land some devastating body and head shots. Whatever it is going to take to lower the gas tank on Kovalev. The pace will need to be fast and Canelo will need to be in control, and I believe that will be very difficult to do.

Sergey Kovalev is still the Krusher in many respects. If Canelo does not have the power to keep Kovalev honest I can see Kovalev going for a stop before the 8th round, where Kovalev tends to begin to get the weakest. The fight is not completely unwinnable for Canelo. He has a chance as long as he does not take long inactive periods standing at range with Kovalev. It is a simple fight plan from a simple fighters perspective for Kovalev. The older you get the more simple you want to make your fights. The Krusher is coming off of a quick turn around after he outlasted a very determined Anthony Yarde. Canelo I think is a much better finisher than Yarde and will not waste the over zealous shots Yarde threw when he saw that Kovalev was hurt. If Kovalev can keep Canelo at range, minimize the fight to the center of the ring only, and watch for body shots and uppercuts after missed punches, the night should go very simple and uneventful unless the decision to go for the stoppage is made. So my decision goes to:

Sergey Kovalev - Unanimous Decision/ TKO stoppage in 7

[JakeTheBoxer]

I think Canelo will be running the whole night and hoping he gets a gifted decision, as usual. That`s what I think to be honest.

If Canelo comes to fight and goes inside, Kovalev stops him inside 7 rounds.

[Freeworld124]

I think Canelo will be running the whole night and hoping he gets a gifted decision, as usual. That`s what I think to be honest.

If Canelo comes to fight and goes inside, Kovalev stops him inside 7 rounds.

A gift decision in this fight would hurt Canelos legacy at this point. If Canelo runs, Kovalev will stalk. Canelo has to stay off the ropes and out of the corners.

Canelos punching power is still questionable at the Light Heavyweight limit. Canelo is smart enough not to just go Mexican style with everybody. I want to see what he has planned for fight night. But yes, going toe to toe would be a mistake, but without him getting the element of surprise early I see any victory being very difficult for Canelo.

[TonyGe]

I think they are going to go after Kovalev in the first rounds to establish his hand speed advantage before Canelo slows down. They will try to weaken Kovalev and then box him late.

[Dodger07]

I want to get this out of the way early for two reasons. First one being so that it doesnt just seem like I am band wagon jumping after the fact, and the second is so that everyone that has a different opinion can say I told you so after all is said and done. Ok here we go.

Unless Kovalev has a sudden mind lapse and he fights like a 30 fight open class amateur, he should have no problems winning this fight. Canelo Alvarez asked for a challenge and he has one for this upcoming fight. Canelo will have to get inside of the reach of a fighter that is much taller than him and has a very good jab. Sergey Kovalevs jab comes at you with decent speed and can be fine tuned to his desire. He can blast you with a sharp and very stiff jab or he can double and triple it up on you while moving in a half circle. A lot of fighters do not double or triple up on jobs that are meant to hit you. They are simply range finders. Canelo will have to exploit the game plan that Andre Ward used in the second fight to smother the reach of Kovalev and land some devastating body and head shots. Whatever it is going to take to lower the gas tank on Kovalev. The pace will need to be fast and Canelo will need to be in control, and I believe that will be very difficult to do.

Sergey Kovalev is still the Krusher in many respects. If Canelo does not have the power to keep Kovalev honest I can see Kovalev going for a stop before the 8th round, where Kovalev tends to begin to get the weakest. The fight is not completely unwinnable for Canelo. He has a chance as long as he does not take long inactive periods standing at range with Kovalev. It is a simple fight plan from a simple fighters perspective for Kovalev. The older you get the more simple you want to make your fights. The Krusher is coming off of a quick turn around after he outlasted a very determined Anthony Yarde. Canelo I think is a much better finisher than Yarde and will not waste the over zealous shots Yarde threw when he saw that Kovalev was hurt. If Kovalev can keep Canelo at range, minimize the fight to the center of the ring only, and watch for body shots and uppercuts after missed punches, the night should go very simple and uneventful unless the decision to go for the stoppage is made. So my decision goes to:

Sergey Kovalev - Unanimous Decision/ TKO stoppage in 7

If there is no weight stipulation for this fight then I think Kovalev wins too. His size, power, and outside boxing skills should be to much for Canelo to overcome imo. That long jab will be kovs best weapon. I envision this fight being similar to Canelos first fight with ggg.

[eco1]

Canelo does not have punching power on his own, but for all we know he can be taking shots from a new NASA development to make anyone a Superman and Vada or whomever will not do anything about it because they will not kill the cash cow.

[fitbird38]

missed out the fight

[stealthradon]

Kovalev will win every round convincingly so a draw

[YoungManRumble]

I am inclined to agree with your predictions

[Freeworld124]

I think they are going to go after Kovalev in the first rounds to establish his hand speed advantage before Canelo slows down. They will try to weaken Kovalev and then box him late.

That is very plausible. Kovalev is susceptible to fighters that can shoot into the pocket quick on him. But with a smaller fighter in Alvarez, I think if he adjusted his center of gravity a little lower and kept the jab on him, he will be fine. It's a very interesting matchup.