Kovalev may win; he looks in good shape

[apollo creed]

Kova looks ripped. He's on a redeem mission.

[gilgamesh]

He was in good shape the 1st time. That wasn't the issue. The issue was getting caught by Alvarez's overhand right. He better have worked on a solid defense for that.

[oogiebe]

He was in good shape the 1st time. That wasn't the issue. The issue was getting caught by Alvarez's overhand right. He better have worked on a solid defense for that.

Word out of Kov's camp is that he's been working with McGirt on 'boxing' not punching. Sounds like a different approach, but I'd imagine he'll have problems not reverting to old Kovolev, especially when he gets tagged.

[dagilechia]

i bet that Kovalyov will take the rematch

[gilgamesh]

He was in good shape the 1st time. That wasn't the issue. The issue was getting caught by Alvarez's overhand right. He better have worked on a solid defense for that.

Word out of Kov's camp is that he's been working with McGirt on 'boxing' not punching. Sounds like a different approach, but I'd imagine he'll have problems not reverting to old Kovolev, especially when he gets tagged.

I'm leaning toward Kovalev winning a decision this time so I think he's capable of outboxing Alvarez, but we'll see how it goes. It's an intriguing rematch for sure.

[DrDuke]

Kovalev was totally unprepared to counters in the first fight. He couldn't find a way to make Alvarez attack and become opened. Physically Kovalev looked good then. He just needs another tactics now.

[greg]

.I still believe he had stamina problem..

[oogiebe]

.I still believe he had stamina problem..

No doubt. Anyone who saw him in his second fight vs Ward and the Alvarez fight could clearly tell.

[diddy]

Kovalev is +500 to win a decision. Those odds are a joke. Yeah he might gas and get stopped. He also might not. You have to play that on principle.

[oogiebe]

Kovalev is +500 to win a decision. Those odds are a joke. Yeah he might gas and get stopped. He also might not. You have to play that on principle.

Enticing odds, indeed. I'd take a flier on that as well.

[SenorPipino]

Krusher Kovalev era is over.

Ward took the wind out of his sails and Alvarez drowned him.

Kovalev can't bully Alvarez and that's 90% of his game. He's been undressed as a guy who got by before on power and intimidation.

The intimidation factor is now lost. Kovalev has been KO'd twice in his last 5 fights and has lost 3 of them. He's reduced to being a petulant whiner who grasps at one excuse after another when his ass is handed to him.

He can be in great shape tonight. Doesn't matter. Alvarez has his number.

The champion is more multifaceted in the ring and brings a more imaginative arsenal.

Watch Kovalev make his predictable excuses tonight after he's beaten again. He'll call Alvarez lucky and add that he wasn't 100% focused because of his legal troubles.

But he'll be beaten because Alvarez is simply better and Kovalev was never the all conquering monster he was viewed as when he had his run several years ago.

[brilo33]

i think kovalev heart gone , the ward fights took it out of him, i cant see him lasting 12, hope he wins big fan of his, but ill think he will quit

[jamamb]

ppl saying his heart gone etc but he didnt quit the first fight, he kept trying to get up and go on but his body wouldnt let him

i just dont think the stamina or chin are there, whereas alvarez showed he can weather the storm

[verlichte]

In terms of Kovalev’s physique, he doesn’t look any different from the weigh-in photos from his first bout against Eleider Alvarez, except that he’s more tanned, which inevitably enhances muscle definition.

I guess it’s fairly easy to acquire a tan if you’re stalking Jamie Fontz, by hiding behind the bushes near her cabin!

[oogiebe]

In terms of Kovalev’s physique, he doesn’t look any different from the weigh-in photos from his first bout against Eleider Alvarez, except that he’s more tanned, which inevitably enhances muscle definition.

I guess it’s fairly easy to acquire a tan if you’re stalking Jamie Fontz, by hiding behind the bushes near her cabin!

Sad truth but freakin' funny one!

[brilo33]

ppl saying his heart gone etc but he didnt quit the first fight, he kept trying to get up and go on but his body wouldnt let him

i just dont think the stamina or chin are there, whereas alvarez showed he can weather the storm

i think the 2nd fight jamamb, as i thought he was winning. i am not saying he is some heartless bum. kovalev is one of my faviourt fighters , i argee ithink all them tough fights have taken there toll on him, i just think if the going gets tough he wont want it tonight

[greg]

Krusher Kovalev era is over.

Ward took the wind out of his sails and Alvarez drowned him.

Kovalev can't bully Alvarez and that's 90% of his game. He's been undressed as a guy who got by before on power and intimidation.

The intimidation factor is now lost. Kovalev has been KO'd twice in his last 5 fights and has lost 3 of them. He's reduced to being a petulant whiner who grasps at one excuse after another when his ass is handed to him.

He can be in great shape tonight. Doesn't matter. Alvarez has his number.

The champion is more multifaceted in the ring and brings a more imaginative arsenal.

Watch Kovalev make his predictable excuses tonight after he's beaten again. He'll call Alvarez lucky and add that he wasn't 100% focused because of his legal troubles.

But he'll be beaten because Alvarez is simply better and Kovalev was never the all conquering monster he was viewed as when he had his run several years ago.

..it's still too early for an obituary I'd say..

[Duran1970]

All this talk of how bad he looked in the first fight but was outboxing and was well ahead on the cards so it's not unfathomable that he could win a decision..the question as some Brought up is stamina.........too much good Russian vodka

[diddy]

Kovalev will probably falter late but if you’re getting 5-1 odds that he won’t and he will win a decision it’s a gamble worth taking. That’s what a smart gambler does. Recognizes something that might be a big opportunity. Won’t shock me at all if he wins. Alvarez is no world beater.

[Onetimeonly]

Kovalev will probably falter late but if you’re getting 5-1 odds that he won’t and he will win a decision it’s a gamble worth taking. That’s what a smart gambler does. Recognizes something that might be a big opportunity. Won’t shock me at all if he wins. Alvarez is expecting no world beater.

That's what I bet. Expecting to be clenching cheeks the last 9 minutes. Moraes too.

[Best Coast]

He was in good shape the 1st time. That wasn't the issue. The issue was getting caught by Alvarez's overhand right. He better have worked on a solid defense for that.

Word out of Kov's camp is that he's been working with McGirt on 'boxing' not punching. Sounds like a different approach, but I'd imagine he'll have problems not reverting to old Kovolev, especially when he gets tagged.

Good point. I think McGirt could make a major difference in this fight...he's a great trainer if Kov can follow his strategy!! But as you point out, if he gets rocked by Alvarez (quite likely) he could revert to his old take-no-prisoners style. That's why I'm not sure how to pick this one in PTBF.

[oogiebe]

He was in good shape the 1st time. That wasn't the issue. The issue was getting caught by Alvarez's overhand right. He better have worked on a solid defense for that.

Word out of Kov's camp is that he's been working with McGirt on 'boxing' not punching. Sounds like a different approach, but I'd imagine he'll have problems not reverting to old Kovolev, especially when he gets tagged.

Good point. I think McGirt could make a major difference in this fight...he's a great trainer if Kov can follow his strategy!! But as you point out, if he gets rocked by Alvarez (quite likely) he could revert to his old take-no-prisoners style. That's why I'm not sure how to pick this one in PTBF.

My latest call is Alvarez, KO, 11. It's like the third time I changed it! LOL!

[Best Coast]

Dont blame you!!

That's why I'm waiting as late as possible to make my pick. I dont like changing in PTBF...

[SenorPipino]

Kovalev will probably falter late but if you’re getting 5-1 odds that he won’t and he will win a decision it’s a gamble worth taking. That’s what a smart gambler does. Recognizes something that might be a big opportunity. Won’t shock me at all if he wins. Alvarez is expecting no world beater.

That's what I bet. Expecting to be clenching cheeks the last 9 minutes. Moraes too.

The longest shot (besides a draw) is Kovalev by decision.

The site I use has it +600.

Kovalev is listed at +275 to win by KO. Those are the same odds posted for Alvarez to win by decision.

Shortest odds are Alvarez by KO at +140.

Overall, Alvarez is a -175 favorite. I think Kovalev was a 4-1 favorite in the first fight.

[gilgamesh]

Ironic because Kovalev by decision just feels right to me. We'll see how it goes though. Truly feels like one where just about anything could happen. That's always interesting.