Will Cleverly get any credit?

[WelshJack]

When he outpoints Kovalev convincingly or will people just say Kovalev was a hype job?

[lefty]

When he outpoints Kovalev convincingly or will people just say Kovalev was a hype job?

I think you'll get some that will say both! I think it will be a genuinely good win.

[Horse]

Kovalev is a genuine top 10 world ranked fighter. It would be a very good win for Cleverly.

[lefty]

Very dangerous fight aswell. Cleverly has shown a good chin upto now but has never been in with a puncher like Kovalev so should be interesting!

[andeeholden]

You're always going to get people who will poo-poo it regardless, but as Horse said, Kovalev is a Top 10 contender and so Cleverly will get plenty plaudits. He will also silence a lot of people who consider him a 'weak' champion too.

[lefty]

You're always going to get people who will poo-poo it regardless, but as Horse said, Kovalev is a Top 10 contender and so Cleverly will get plenty plaudits. He will also silence a lot of people who consider him a 'weak' champion too.

This is a coming out fight aswell I think. I think that if he comes through this then they'll be looking at the unification fights with the likes of Hopkins, etc and it will give him more appeal to the likes of those guys.

[andeeholden]

You're always going to get people who will poo-poo it regardless, but as Horse said, Kovalev is a Top 10 contender and so Cleverly will get plenty plaudits. He will also silence a lot of people who consider him a 'weak' champion too.

This is a coming out fight aswell I think. I think that if he comes through this then they'll be looking at the unification fights with the likes of Hopkins, etc and it will give him more appeal to the likes of those guys.

I think you're right. Especially with Kovalev having HBO's backing and being a big draw over there, Clev beating him will make big waves and will surely tie up a bout with Hopkins in the not too distant future

[youngrell]

Went to see his open-day workout on Saturday, looked in good shape. As did his mrs

Hope he can pull it off, it's a big ask but will go a long way to restoring some of the credit he had when at domestic level.

[damianhucker1]

i think its certainly Clevs biggest test so far .

Im not a huge fan of his but if he wins he will be given credit , from myself at least

[Deserter]

I'll give him shedloads of credit. I was a big fan as far back as when he did a number on Danny Mac, but have been turned into a cynic by events since then, to the extent that I'm still half expecting the fight not to happen for some spurious reason.

If it does, he'll go back up in my estimation just for getting in the ring with Kovalev, regardless of the outcome. If he wins it, I'll be hugely impressed, as I rate Kovalev.

[black panther]

I'll give him shedloads of credit. I was a big fan as far back as when he did a number on Danny Mac, but have been turned into a cynic by events since then, to the extent that I'm still half expecting the fight not to happen for some spurious reason.

If it does, he'll go back up in my estimation just for getting in the ring with Kovalev, regardless of the outcome. If he wins it, I'll be hugely impressed, as I rate Kovalev.

My sentiments exactly. Considering he's a "world champion" he's yet to face a genuine top ten lightheavyweight (at the time he fought them). Bellew is his best opponent to date and is arguably top ten now, but at the time Bellew hadn't fought anyone of note on the world stage.

[WelshJack]

I think Cleverly might make it hard for himself (like Bellew) to try and make a huge statement needs to just box and forget about KO's.

[black panther]

I think Cleverly might make it hard for himself (like Bellew) to try and make a huge statement needs to just box and forget about KO's.

Agreed: if he goes for a tear-up with Kovalev he'll be in for a rough night. I think Nathan can box though. 50/50 fight in my eyes: it's both men's toughest test to date.

[squared circle]

My pound note is on kovalev. Just think its too big a jump from fighting who he has been recently. He'll get lazy or brave, stick his chin out and pull his funny faces, and wish he hadnt

[taffytoon]

Very dangerous fight aswell. Cleverly has shown a good chin upto now but has never been in with a puncher like Kovalev so should be interesting!

Would you say Ovill punches as hard as Kovalev?

[lefty]

Very dangerous fight aswell. Cleverly has shown a good chin upto now but has never been in with a puncher like Kovalev so should be interesting!

Would you say Ovill punches as hard as Kovalev?

I dont know to be honest! On paper no but Ovill has got one of those deceptive KO ratios which doesnt really reflect how hard he hits to be honest!

[ThereByTheGrace]

I hope so because he'll deserve it.

[JC]

I'll definitely give him credit. Apart from Bellew his career since fighting Murat has been very disappointing, but this is a good fight. If he wins this one they need to keep up the momentum.

[whiskey]

He will deserve all the credit in the world if he wins; Sergey Kovalev is legit.

The Russian is still unproven in a lot of areas, but he is of the type of stuff that should indeed be challenging for belts.

It's the question marks that make this fight so interesting in fact. All we know is that Clev has a good skill set, engine and chin whereas Kovalev is a relentless and by all accounts has a genuine heavy dig on him.

[MightyWarrior]

He's miles better than most of the palookas FW has been serving up, but on first glance I can't see why the bookies make the other guy favorite ?

He's not beaten anyone top ten, looks pretty basic, head up in the air and I'm not sure he even hits hard enough to trouble Clev.

[Horse]

He's not beaten anyone top ten, looks pretty basic, head up in the air and I'm not sure he even hits hard enough to trouble Clev.

Campillo was top 10.

[dookus]

He'll get plenty of credit from me, and I've slagged him off previously for his less-than-impressive level of competition.

[Omerta]

It's a 50/50 fight boxer versus puncher personally I think he's gonna really be up against it some say fish eyes is giving clev up to keep himself in with hbo

[WelshJack]

It's a 50/50 fight boxer versus puncher personally I think he's gonna really be up against it some say fish eyes is giving clev up to keep himself in with hbo

Giving Clev up do some people really not rate Clev? He is the real deal and he'll prove it when he outpoints Kovalev with ease.

[lefty]

It's a 50/50 fight boxer versus puncher personally I think he's gonna really be up against it some say fish eyes is giving clev up to keep himself in with hbo

Giving Clev up do some people really not rate Clev? He is the real deal and he'll prove it when he outpoints Kovalev with ease.

I fancy Nathan to win but I dont see it being a cake walk! I dont think we've seen the best of Kovelev either yet! He was a very good amateur aswell but has relied on his power since being in the pro's. If he shows his boxing ability in this fight, it could make it very interesting!