Kovalev-Mikhalkin, Barrera-Bivol HBO doubleheader March 3

[Enlightened-One]

Kovalevs working, and Mihalkin may proved to be dangerous , he is already way above one of Bernard Hopkins challenger Morrade Hakkar if you want a chuckle. I am not sure about Garcia's opponent Lippinets.. the point is you don't have to fight a tough one every time out ..Kovalev and Duva are making $$ thats why they are in business and the card is very intriguing.

My complaint is about the WBO sanctioning Vyacheslav Shabransky and Igor Mikhalkin as qualified world title challengers.

I don't object to Kovalev engaging in a couple of easy confidence-building fights, coupled with acclimatising to his new training team, but I don't endorse the thoughts of those that passionately and aggressively pretend that Sergey's bouts against Vyacheslav Shabransky and Igor Mikhalkin were/are legitimate world title fights, because they aren't, since they weren't previously considered world class.

[Evander]

Had a brief look at Mikhalkin and at this point it shouldn't be too much of a mountain for Kovalev to climb, Mikhalkin is a southpaw and only has 9 KO's in 22 fights with a single loss.
Mikhalkin's style doesn't look to troubling for Kovalev but I need to take a more comprehensive look at him later.
The Barrera v Bivol fight actually sounds a bit more appealing and potentially competitive I'm looking forward to watching that one.
Article also said Barrera turned down a shot at Kovalev, interesting.

[BAD INTENTIONS]

Kovalev got HBO by the balls right now.
Most the top guys at 175 are busy right now,
and many probably wouldn't want to fight Kovalev anyway.

The guys at 175 who were available were:
Beterbiev, Browne, Smith Jr, and Mikhalkin.

If you can't get Beterbiev, then Mikhalkin is just as good as the other options.
Or, Kovalev could just sit around and do nothing.

[jockpunk]

Kovalev got HBO by the balls right now.

He sure does. They are absolutely desperate for stars as the only two they have at this point are canelo and GGG so they are doing everything they can do to create new ones. So far it is not going well.

[klitoris]

MIkhalkin is IBO champion so they might sell this as a "unification" even though IBO belt isn't on the level of the other 4.

[KiwiRider]

Kovalev got HBO by the balls right now.
Most the top guys at 175 are busy right now,
and many probably wouldn't want to fight Kovalev anyway.

The guys at 175 who were available were:
Beterbiev, Browne, Smith Jr, and Mikhalkin.

If you can't get Beterbiev, then Mikhalkin is just as good as the other options.
Or, Kovalev could just sit around and do nothing.

I thought Smith Jr was still in rehab for his broken jaw?

[jewboypgh]

Can the Kovalev opponent fight? Never heard of him

[victor-romeo]

Do you have youtube? Acutally he looks ok, and I have seen people who are not supposed to win, win before, He is as southpaw, but one of the keys to look at is 9kos in around 20 fights, which means for what ever reason he doesn't get fighters out of there...none the less any time Kovalev fights it is a big fight...currently..

[jamamb]

mikhalkins on a good run in europe (including taking tommy oothzs 0 by dominant win) and guys like him are abc ranked all the time. hes prob around a legit #15 in the division though obviously far from the big players,

but its kinda shady if kovs team is basically picking who the wbo ranks,nwhich it seemslike.

[Mexi-Box]

Kovalevs working, and Mihalkin may proved to be dangerous , he is already way above one of Bernard Hopkins challenger Morrade Hakkar if you want a chuckle. I am not sure about Garcia's opponent Lippinets.. the point is you don't have to fight a tough one every time out ..Kovalev and Duva are making $$ thats why they are in business and the card is very intriguing.

My complaint is about the WBO sanctioning Vyacheslav Shabransky and Igor Mikhalkin as qualified world title challengers.

I don't object to Kovalev engaging in a couple of easy confidence-building fights, coupled with acclimatising to his new training team, but I don't endorse the thoughts of those that passionately and aggressively pretend that Sergey's bouts against Vyacheslav Shabransky and Igor Mikhalkin were/are legitimate world title fights, because they aren't, since they weren't previously considered world class.

Dude, can you point out who is stupid enough to give enough of a damn about this? So far, I've only seen people saying this is a solid fight. No one cares that it's for the WBO. It's a good gradual step up for Kovalev, and it's looking like Kovalev will fight the Bivol/Barrera winner anyways.

You're literally the only one worried about the belt like the casual fan you are.

[Enlightened-One]

Kovalevs working, and Mihalkin may proved to be dangerous , he is already way above one of Bernard Hopkins challenger Morrade Hakkar if you want a chuckle. I am not sure about Garcia's opponent Lippinets.. the point is you don't have to fight a tough one every time out ..Kovalev and Duva are making $$ thats why they are in business and the card is very intriguing.

My complaint is about the WBO sanctioning Vyacheslav Shabransky and Igor Mikhalkin as qualified world title challengers.

I don't object to Kovalev engaging in a couple of easy confidence-building fights, coupled with acclimatising to his new training team, but I don't endorse the thoughts of those that passionately and aggressively pretend that Sergey's bouts against Vyacheslav Shabransky and Igor Mikhalkin were/are legitimate world title fights, because they aren't, since they weren't previously considered world class.

Dude, can you point out who is stupid enough to give enough of a damn about this? So far, I've only seen people saying this is a solid fight. No one cares that it's for the WBO. It's a good gradual step up for Kovalev, and it's looking like Kovalev will fight the Bivol/Barrera winner anyways.

You're literally the only one worried about the belt like the casual fan you are.

My complaint isn’t specifically about Igor Mikhalkin. He might be a moderately decent C level fighter.

The main issue I have relates to Main Events selecting whomever they damn want as an opponent for Sergey Kovalev, even if they’re unranked, and then getting the WBO to sanction them afterwards. That alone is sufficient justification for my complaint.

I understand the reason why Adonis Stevenson seems to receive so much criticism, but for some reason, Krusher is immune from it, even if his team are doing precisely the same thing, because Sergey’s last two opponents simply aren’t world class… or at least they’re not top-ten calibre guys.

If Stevenson fought the likes of Vyacheslav Shabransky and Igor Mikhalkin, people would be fúckíng outraged and rightly so, but because Sergey is doing it, Kovalev’s fans are pretending these guys are decent top-ten world rated opponents… and that’s simply not true.

[Mexi-Box]

My complaint is about the WBO sanctioning Vyacheslav Shabransky and Igor Mikhalkin as qualified world title challengers.

I don't object to Kovalev engaging in a couple of easy confidence-building fights, coupled with acclimatising to his new training team, but I don't endorse the thoughts of those that passionately and aggressively pretend that Sergey's bouts against Vyacheslav Shabransky and Igor Mikhalkin were/are legitimate world title fights, because they aren't, since they weren't previously considered world class.

Dude, can you point out who is stupid enough to give enough of a damn about this? So far, I've only seen people saying this is a solid fight. No one cares that it's for the WBO. It's a good gradual step up for Kovalev, and it's looking like Kovalev will fight the Bivol/Barrera winner anyways.

You're literally the only one worried about the belt like the casual fan you are.

My complaint isn’t specifically about Igor Mikhalkin. He might be a moderately decent C level fighter.

The main issue I have relates to Main Events selecting whomever they damn want as an opponent for Sergey Kovalev, even if they’re unranked, and then getting the WBO to sanction them afterwards. That alone is sufficient justification for my complaint.

I understand the reason why Adonis Stevenson seems to receive so much criticism, but for some reason, Krusher is immune from it, even if his team are doing precisely the same thing, because Sergey’s last two opponents simply aren’t world class… or at least they’re not top-ten calibre guys.

If Stevenson fought the likes of Vyacheslav Shabransky and Igor Mikhalkin, people would be fúckíng outraged and rightly so, but because Sergey is doing it, Kovalev’s fans are pretending these guys are decent top-ten world rated opponents… and that’s simply not true.

So first it was that the WBO ranked him and now you're going back to this? Mikhalkin is a top 10 fighter, deal with it. Kovalev also doesn't have a league of mandatories that he's never gotten to like Stevenson. How long must Alvarez wait until Stevenson fights him?

Kovalev is already about to fight Bivol most likely while Stevenson hasn't even taken a glance at Alvarez. In addition, Stevenson should've fought fellow-PBC fighter Beterbiev a long time ago.

[Enlightened-One]

Dude, can you point out who is stupid enough to give enough of a damn about this? So far, I've only seen people saying this is a solid fight. No one cares that it's for the WBO. It's a good gradual step up for Kovalev, and it's looking like Kovalev will fight the Bivol/Barrera winner anyways.

You're literally the only one worried about the belt like the casual fan you are.

My complaint isn’t specifically about Igor Mikhalkin. He might be a moderately decent C level fighter.

The main issue I have relates to Main Events selecting whomever they damn want as an opponent for Sergey Kovalev, even if they’re unranked, and then getting the WBO to sanction them afterwards. That alone is sufficient justification for my complaint.

I understand the reason why Adonis Stevenson seems to receive so much criticism, but for some reason, Krusher is immune from it, even if his team are doing precisely the same thing, because Sergey’s last two opponents simply aren’t world class… or at least they’re not top-ten calibre guys.

If Stevenson fought the likes of Vyacheslav Shabransky and Igor Mikhalkin, people would be fúckíng outraged and rightly so, but because Sergey is doing it, Kovalev’s fans are pretending these guys are decent top-ten world rated opponents… and that’s simply not true.

So first it was that the WBO ranked him and now you're going back to this? Mikhalkin is a top 10 fighter, deal with it. Kovalev also doesn't have a league of mandatories that he's never gotten to like Stevenson. How long must Alvarez wait until Stevenson fights him?

Kovalev is already about to fight Bivol most likely while Stevenson hasn't even taken a glance at Alvarez. In addition, Stevenson should've fought fellow-PBC fighter Beterbiev a long time ago.

Your entire argument about justifying the reason why Kovalev is allowed to fight shît opponents, is based on Adonis Stevenson's actions, but why can't you realise that they're both in the wrong?

Main Events could have got Sergey a better opponent, but they wanted an easy touch. I don't object to that, but I am offended about blindly biased fight fans pretending that Krusher is facing top notch opposition in legit world title fights, when he isn't.

Put it this way, you didn't post a single comment about Vyacheslav Shabransky and Igor Mikhalkin prior to their bouts against Krusher being made, but now you're suddenly pretending they're legitimately "world class" opposition? They're not.

Have you actually seen how Igor Mikhalkin scored the his only two career KO's? He failed my "eyeball" test by a proverbial country mile and I expect other people to be equally unimpressed to realise he can't even punch his way out of a paper bag!

I also successfully predicted that Vyacheslav Shabransky was merely a sacrificial lamb to help rebuild Kovalev's fearsome "monster" reputation, which I cannot take any credit for, because the majority of people possessed similar thoughts.

The nature of my argument has always been consistent in nature, because neither Vyacheslav Shabransky nor Igor Mikhalkin are world class, they shouldn't be challenging for world titles and they shouldn't be headlining HBO's fight cards.

Sergey Kovalev is going to almost certainly stop Igor Mikhalkin within three rounds and he won't even need to adopt a defensively responsible fighting style, because he's facing an opponent that probably cannot punch as hard as Krusher's young daughter!

When my prediction inevitably becomes a reality, please don't pretend that Sergey has achieved a remarkable feat, because this farce of a bout is merely a publicity stunt.

[Freedom2013]

Barrera Taking Less Money For Bivol, Offered More For Kovalev

http://www.BS.com/barrera-taki ... ev--123684

[squiggy]

Fighting lesser competition off of the first two losses of your career isn't the same as just doing it year in and year out like Stevenson does.

[boxing_rocks]

Fighting lesser competition off of the first two losses of your career isn't the same as just doing it year in and year out like Stevenson does.

... and not that there is a line of better competitors wishing to fight him. Stevenson has ducked for years, Beterbiev (read Haymon) refused to fight him in Russia, Barrera refused twice.

[Enlightened-One]

Two wrongs don't make a right.

Stevenson facing second-tier opposition should be criticised.

Kovalev, the so-called king of the 175lb-ers that is portrayed as a monster by HBO, should be criticised with equal venom for facing second tier opposition.

It's as simple as that.

Don't support Kovalev's decision to face fighters that aren't world class, simply because you're from Eastern Europe. Think like a genuine hardcore boxing fan instead and recognise mismatches for what they are... mismatches!

[Enlightened-One]

Showtime are allegedly broadcasting the Wilder-Ortiz bout on the same night Sergey Kovalev will be facing the feather-fisted, stylistically unspectacular and unproven Igor Mikhalkin.

How many fight fans will likely prefer to watch the HBO fight card that is headlined by a complete mismatch over the event televised by Showtime?

[Mexi-Box]

Two wrongs don't make a right.

Stevenson facing second-tier opposition should be criticised.

Kovalev, the so-called king of the 175lb-ers that is portrayed as a monster by HBO, should be criticised with equal venom for facing second tier opposition.

It's as simple as that.

Don't support Kovalev's decision to face fighters that aren't world class, simply because you're from Eastern Europe. Think like a genuine hardcore boxing fan instead and recognise mismatches for what they are... mismatches!

You're brainless. First, Kovalev's team approach Barrera with a fight from reports while Stevenson was taking steps around Alvarez, Beterbiev, etc. This isn't at all the same. You have an agenda and everyone knows, though.

[Enlightened-One]

Two wrongs don't make a right.

Stevenson facing second-tier opposition should be criticised.

Kovalev, the so-called king of the 175lb-ers that is portrayed as a monster by HBO, should be criticised with equal venom for facing second tier opposition.

It's as simple as that.

Don't support Kovalev's decision to face fighters that aren't world class, simply because you're from Eastern Europe. Think like a genuine hardcore boxing fan instead and recognise mismatches for what they are... mismatches!

You're brainless. First, Kovalev's team approach Barrera with a fight from reports while Stevenson was taking steps around Alvarez, Beterbiev, etc. This isn't at all the same. You have an agenda and everyone knows, though.

Are you pretending that Barrera was the only option for Kovalev?

Are you suggesting that Kovalev is allowed to commit the same "crimes" that Stevenson commits, such as facing "easy" opposition, without earning criticism?

Double-standards, eh?

You can criticise Adonis Stevenson as much as you want, I'm not a fan of his, but it is abundantly clear that Sergey Kovalev declined a guaranteed shot at the WBC champion, which Krusher's fans appear to do their upmost to conveniently "forget".

The HBO viewing figures for Kovalev-Mikhalkin will almost certainly be terrible, especially if Showtime decides to televise the Wilder-Ortiz bout on the very same night.

[Mexi-Box]

Two wrongs don't make a right.

Stevenson facing second-tier opposition should be criticised.

Kovalev, the so-called king of the 175lb-ers that is portrayed as a monster by HBO, should be criticised with equal venom for facing second tier opposition.

It's as simple as that.

Don't support Kovalev's decision to face fighters that aren't world class, simply because you're from Eastern Europe. Think like a genuine hardcore boxing fan instead and recognise mismatches for what they are... mismatches!

You're brainless. First, Kovalev's team approach Barrera with a fight from reports while Stevenson was taking steps around Alvarez, Beterbiev, etc. This isn't at all the same. You have an agenda and everyone knows, though.

Are you pretending that Barrera was the only option for Kovalev?

Are you suggesting that Kovalev is allowed to commit the same "crimes" that Stevenson commits, such as facing "easy" opposition, without earning criticism?

Double-standards, eh?

You can criticise Adonis Stevenson as much as you want, I'm not a fan of his, but it is abundantly clear that Sergey Kovalev declined a guaranteed shot at the WBC champion, which Krusher's fans appear to do their upmost to conveniently "forget".

The HBO viewing figures for Kovalev-Mikhalkin will almost certainly be terrible, especially if Showtime decides to televise the Wilder-Ortiz bout on the very same night.

Wilder doesn't draw anything.

Mikhalkin is one of the best fighters Kovalev could get at the time. As I said, Kovalev is likely to face Bivol after anyways. When has Stevenson ever even looked at facing Beterbiev when they were under the same promotion.

As for the WBC mandatory, Kovalev goes on to fight Andre Ward while Stevenson still stayed circumventing his mandatory and fighting horrible defenses. You have a clear agenda, and I've slashed through it multiple times.

[Enlightened-One]

You're brainless. First, Kovalev's team approach Barrera with a fight from reports while Stevenson was taking steps around Alvarez, Beterbiev, etc. This isn't at all the same. You have an agenda and everyone knows, though.

Are you pretending that Barrera was the only option for Kovalev?

Are you suggesting that Kovalev is allowed to commit the same "crimes" that Stevenson commits, such as facing "easy" opposition, without earning criticism?

Double-standards, eh?

You can criticise Adonis Stevenson as much as you want, I'm not a fan of his, but it is abundantly clear that Sergey Kovalev declined a guaranteed shot at the WBC champion, which Krusher's fans appear to do their upmost to conveniently "forget".

The HBO viewing figures for Kovalev-Mikhalkin will almost certainly be terrible, especially if Showtime decides to televise the Wilder-Ortiz bout on the very same night.

Wilder doesn't draw anything.

Mikhalkin is one of the best fighters Kovalev could get at the time. As I said, Kovalev is likely to face Bivol after anyways. When has Stevenson ever even looked at facing Beterbiev when they were under the same promotion.

As for the WBC mandatory, Kovalev goes on to fight Andre Ward while Stevenson still stayed circumventing his mandatory and fighting horrible defenses. You have a clear agenda, and I've slashed through it multiple times.

You're just like every other Kovalev fanboy. Citing Adonis Stevenson as your sole justification for Krusher's decision to engage is a second consecutive mismatch.

The thing is... I'm not a fan of Stevenson's. I couldn't care less. However, I expect fight fans to adopt and apply consistent standards, not double.

You criticise fighter A for facing second-tier opposition, but excuse fighter B for doing the same, based on the actions of fighter A. Where is the sense in that?

Adonis Stevenson's name should not be mentioned in your argument, since he's irrelevant.

For the record, Wilder-Ortiz draws much better viewing figures than Kovalev-Mikhalkin.

[apollo creed]

Mikhalkin is a decent opponent for Kovalev. Not a bad fight at all.

[Enlightened-One]

When Sergey Kovalev's bout against Vyacheslav Shabranskyy was announced, his opponent wasn't included in the WBO's ratings, but somehow Main Events managed to get that governing body to sanction that fight for their vacant world title. The title challenger was subsequently given a top-ten ranking.

Similarly, when Sergey Kovalev's first title defence against Igor Mikhalkin was announced, his opponent wasn't rated by the WBO, he has only just (today or yesterday) been awarded the 7th place ranking by that governing body.

I expect Krusher's second title defence to be against an opponent that isn't rated by the WBO when the fight is initially announced, but will subsequently be awarded a top-ten ranking by that governing body, with Kovalev's die-hard fans passionately arguing that the anonymous guy he's facing (that has no decent names on his resume) is genuinely "world-class".

[Ruthless-RKO]

When Sergey Kovalev's bout against Vyacheslav Shabranskyy was announced, his opponent wasn't included in the WBO's ratings, but somehow Main Events managed to get that governing body to sanction that fight for their vacant world title. The title challenger was subsequently given a top-ten ranking.

Similarly, when Sergey Kovalev's first title defence against Igor Mikhalkin was announced, his opponent wasn't rated by the WBO, he has only just (today or yesterday) been awarded the 7th place ranking by that governing body.

I mentioned this on another thread that Mikhalkin wasn't ranked. But I see, they have now given him a #7 ranking. WBO is a joke.