“I don’t know if I can beat him,” Kovalev said in a remarkable bit of honesty considering the bravado often found in boxing. “But I want to fight him. It’s a huge test for me.”
Kovalev (29-0-1, 26 knockouts) is seeking a summer interim bout in his native Russia, saying his promoter, Kathy Duva, and manager, Egis Klimas, are aiming for a fight date of June 18 or June 25, with negotiations ongoing at multiple sites, including arenas in Moscow and Sochi.
He's said things like this before and seems to be realistic in acknowledging that he's not always guaranteed victory. Prior to routing Hopkins he was asked about why he believed he was going to win, and he responded with 'In my mind I am strong, but this is boxing and I don’t what is going to happen'.
gilgamesh wrote:I'll be going with Kovalev. One of my favorite fighters. I think he's got enough to beat Ward, but Ward is a handful for anybody no doubt.
Probably looking at November in Cali, based on statements made after Andre's win over Barrera a few weeks back...but if Kovalev's tuneup gets put back from June into July that could push it into early 2017!!
gilgamesh wrote:I'll be going with Kovalev. One of my favorite fighters. I think he's got enough to beat Ward, but Ward is a handful for anybody no doubt.
Probably looking at November in Cali, based on statements made after Andre's win over Barrera a few weeks back...but if Kovalev's tuneup gets put back from June into July that could push it into early 2017!!
None of them is allowed to fight somebody else after June. Kovalev will not be a reason for any delays.
“I don’t know if I can beat him,” Kovalev said in a remarkable bit of honesty considering the bravado often found in boxing. “But I want to fight him. It’s a huge test for me.”
Kovalev (29-0-1, 26 knockouts) is seeking a summer interim bout in his native Russia, saying his promoter, Kathy Duva, and manager, Egis Klimas, are aiming for a fight date of June 18 or June 25, with negotiations ongoing at multiple sites, including arenas in Moscow and Sochi.
Hmm, as if it is unusual for a stronger side to exaggerate strengths of a weaker one. It is called building a fight.
Kovalev is only saying this because Ward is a coward and trying to get out of this fight. He is lying to try to give Ward hope that he can win so he will take the fight and then destroy him. Ward does not want this fight and he wants it to go away. That is why he is being the coward that he is fighting Paul Smith on the BET network. Ward is flat footed and a piece of cake of Kovalev if the fight does happen Kovalev cannot think of boxing Ward though. He has to go in with the intention of destroying him and leaving fear in his fans bones. Go for damage and destruction.
Best Coast wrote:Probably looking at November in Cali, based on statements made after Andre's win over Barrera a few weeks back...but if Kovalev's tuneup gets put back from June into July that could push it into early 2017!!
None of them is allowed to fight somebody else after June. Kovalev will not be a reason for any delays.
Guess you didnt read the article I linked. Kovalev's own promoter said his tuneup fight may be pushed back to July. If neither of them is allowed to fight after June, why would Klimas even MENTION that as an option?
Klimas said the talks need to be done “like yesterday,” adding that if the site and opponent aren’t finalized in two weeks, the fight date would move to July.
Best Coast wrote:Probably looking at November in Cali, based on statements made after Andre's win over Barrera a few weeks back...but if Kovalev's tuneup gets put back from June into July that could push it into early 2017!!
None of them is allowed to fight somebody else after June. Kovalev will not be a reason for any delays.
Guess you didnt read the article I linked. Kovalev's own promoter said his tuneup fight may be pushed back to July. If neither of them is allowed to fight after June, why would Klimas even MENTION that as an option?
Klimas said the talks need to be done “like yesterday,” adding that if the site and opponent aren’t finalized in two weeks, the fight date would move to July.
I am not sure why Klimas says that. Maybe he hopes that HBO will allow that.
bnovelist wrote:I've tried telling ya'll this before awhile back. Ward's style is waaaay too complex.....He's a more precise 2003 Bernard Hopkins. Could Kovalev beat
a 2002-2003 version of Hopkins? There is your answer
Well, he should have doubts, Ward is an A+ opponent. I know I may appeared bias towards American fighters in most my posts but I still believe Ward is a PfP best. I understand Kovalev is the favorite but anyone who thinks he will blaze right through Ward is mistaken.
bnovelist wrote:I've tried telling ya'll this before awhile back. Ward's style is waaaay too complex.....He's a more precise 2003 Bernard Hopkins. Could Kovalev beat
a 2002-2003 version of Hopkins? There is your answer
bnovelist- Just because Kovalev would be a prime BHop is no guarantee that he will beat Andre. I'm not saying he won't but it's a mistake to sleep on Ward. People have under estimated him before. And don't use Ward's last fight as a measuring stick, he was rusty.
bnovelist wrote:I've tried telling ya'll this before awhile back. Ward's style is waaaay too complex.....He's a more precise 2003 Bernard Hopkins. Could Kovalev beat
a 2002-2003 version of Hopkins? There is your answer
2002-2003 version of Hopkins... That's the version that fought 3 times in 24 months beating Carl Daniels, morrade haakar and william joppy?
bnovelist wrote:I've tried telling ya'll this before awhile back. Ward's style is waaaay too complex.....He's a more precise 2003 Bernard Hopkins. Could Kovalev beat
a 2002-2003 version of Hopkins? There is your answer
2002-2003 version of Hopkins... That's the version that fought 3 times in 24 months beating Carl Daniels, morrade haakar and william joppy?
bnovelist wrote:I've tried telling ya'll this before awhile back. Ward's style is waaaay too complex.....He's a more precise 2003 Bernard Hopkins. Could Kovalev beat
a 2002-2003 version of Hopkins? There is your answer
2002-2003 version of Hopkins... That's the version that fought 3 times in 24 months beating Carl Daniels, morrade haakar and william joppy?
That was great was it not??
Best thing since they accidentally printed that peadophiles address in the local newspaper. Christmas came 5 times in those 24 months
Wales wrote:
2002-2003 version of Hopkins... That's the version that fought 3 times in 24 months beating Carl Daniels, morrade haakar and william joppy?
That was great was it not??
Best thing since they accidentally printed that peadophiles address in the local newspaper. Christmas came 5 times in those 24 months
Lancenix wrote:Kovalev is only saying this because Ward is a coward and trying to get out of this fight. He is lying to try to give Ward hope that he can win so he will take the fight and then destroy him. Ward does not want this fight and he wants it to go away. That is why he is being the coward that he is fighting Paul Smith on the BET network. Ward is flat footed and a piece of cake of Kovalev if the fight does happen Kovalev cannot think of boxing Ward though. He has to go in with the intention of destroying him and leaving fear in his fans bones. Go for damage and destruction.
That's what I thought. Give Ward every chance not to dodge the beating that's coming to him.
