Sergey Kovalev vs Dmitry Bivol

[EdwardRevolver1993]

This fight was discussed in 2018 and most likely would've happened, if Kovalev wouldn't have lost to Eleider Alvarez. However, at that point Kovalev was already on the slide.

Best version of Kovalev versus Best version of Bivol, though? Man, that would've been an intriguing one.

So, Koalev that unified titles against Hopkins VS. Bivol, who's now coming into undisputed clash vs Beterbiev.

How this fight would've unfolded?

[goose 5]

Bivol on points.

[Vlad]

Bivol by close decision.

[scorpio83]

Either one would take a decision in a classic matchup.

[EdwardRevolver1993]

Honestly, I'd take Kovalev (a 2013-2016 version). A lot of things being equal between the two, I think Kovalev's power (backed up by skills) would eventually become the deciding factor in this fight.

For those, who won't mind reading to the end, here's my more detailed breakdown/comparison of fighters' strength and weaknesses:

Jab - jab is a dominant weapon for both. Both have good jabs. Kovalev had a more powerful one, IMO.

Footwork - edge to Bivol. Kovalev had a pretty good footwork, but he tended to square his feet at times. And he was sometimes getting off-balanced as a result of it.

Defense - both aren't impossible to hit. Their defense is coming mainly from a good distance control and footwork. But if/when you succeed in getting into the range - you can hit them.

I'd say, Kovalev was getting hit cleanly a little bit more often.

Chin - Kovalev may have been more chinny. But I don't think Bivol had the power to get rid off the prime Kov. Meanwhile, Kovalev had the power to hurt Bivol. And we've seen that overhand right from Joe Smith had Bivol reeling (arguably, saved by the bell) and going into survival mode in the next round.

Kovalev had that quick, sneaky overhand right. If he could catch Bivol with it - who knows what happens?

Power - Kovalev. I think, most would be in agreement here. Bivol has some pop. Especially, when he sits down on his shots. But Kovalev could generate KO power without much effort. He could hurt you with the jab.

Handspeed - after watching through clips on both guys, it did look to me that Kovalev actually had faster hands.

Stamina - Bivol is pacing himself better. But there were several fights (Richards, Salamov) where I thought Bivol kind of slowed down by the late rounds and was doing a lot of coasting.

Ring IQ - I don't think anyone would've had obvious advantage here. Kovalev was a more emotional fighter, perhaps. But his smarts inside the ring are probably underrated today.

Both are great ring generals.

Inside game - prior to Canelo fight, I didn't think Bivol was an effective inside fighter. But he fought at close well against Alvarez. However, in the clinch, Kovalev was a more active and rougher of the two. He liked those coughing right hands behind the ear.

[scorpio83]

Honestly, I'd take Kovalev (a 2013-2016 version). A lot of things being equal between the two, I think Kovalev's power (backed up by skills) would eventually become the deciding factor in this fight.

For those, who won't mind reading to the end, here's my more detailed breakdown/comparison of fighters' strength and weaknesses:

Jab - jab is a dominant weapon for both. Both have good jabs. Kovalev had a more powerful one, IMO.

Footwork - edge to Bivol. Kovalev had a pretty good footwork, but he tended to square his feet at times. And he was sometimes getting off-balanced as a result of it.

Defense - both aren't impossible to hit. Their defense is coming mainly from a good distance control and footwork. But if/when you succeed in getting into the range - you can hit them.

I'd say, Kovalev was getting hit cleanly a little bit more often.

Chin - Kovalev may have been more chinny. But I don't think Bivol had the power to get rid off the prime Kov. Meanwhile, Kovalev had the power to hurt Bivol. And we've seen that overhand right from Joe Smith had Bivol reeling (arguably, saved by the bell) and going into survival mode in the next round.

Kovalev had that quick, sneaky overhand right. If he could catch Bivol with it - who knows what happens?

Power - Kovalev. I think, most would be in agreement here. Bivol has some pop. Especially, when he sits down on his shots. But Kovalev could generate KO power without much effort. He could hurt you with the jab.

Handspeed - after watching through clips on both guys, it did look to me that Kovalev actually had faster hands.

Stamina - Bivol is pacing himself better. But there were several fights (Richards, Salamov) where I thought Bivol kind of slowed down by the late rounds and was doing a lot of coasting.

Ring IQ - I don't think anyone would've had obvious advantage here. Kovalev was a more emotional fighter, perhaps. But his smarts inside the ring are probably underrated today.

Both are great ring generals.

Inside game - prior to Canelo fight, I didn't think Bivol was an effective inside fighter. But he fought at close well against Alvarez. However, in the clinch, Kovalev was a more active and rougher of the two. He liked those coughing right hands behind the ear.

Great comparisons right there.

[EdwardRevolver1993]

Honestly, I'd take Kovalev (a 2013-2016 version). A lot of things being equal between the two, I think Kovalev's power (backed up by skills) would eventually become the deciding factor in this fight.

For those, who won't mind reading to the end, here's my more detailed breakdown/comparison of fighters' strength and weaknesses:

Jab - jab is a dominant weapon for both. Both have good jabs. Kovalev had a more powerful one, IMO.

Footwork - edge to Bivol. Kovalev had a pretty good footwork, but he tended to square his feet at times. And he was sometimes getting off-balanced as a result of it.

Defense - both aren't impossible to hit. Their defense is coming mainly from a good distance control and footwork. But if/when you succeed in getting into the range - you can hit them.

I'd say, Kovalev was getting hit cleanly a little bit more often.

Chin - Kovalev may have been more chinny. But I don't think Bivol had the power to get rid off the prime Kov. Meanwhile, Kovalev had the power to hurt Bivol. And we've seen that overhand right from Joe Smith had Bivol reeling (arguably, saved by the bell) and going into survival mode in the next round.

Kovalev had that quick, sneaky overhand right. If he could catch Bivol with it - who knows what happens?

Power - Kovalev. I think, most would be in agreement here. Bivol has some pop. Especially, when he sits down on his shots. But Kovalev could generate KO power without much effort. He could hurt you with the jab.

Handspeed - after watching through clips on both guys, it did look to me that Kovalev actually had faster hands.

Stamina - Bivol is pacing himself better. But there were several fights (Richards, Salamov) where I thought Bivol kind of slowed down by the late rounds and was doing a lot of coasting.

Ring IQ - I don't think anyone would've had obvious advantage here. Kovalev was a more emotional fighter, perhaps. But his smarts inside the ring are probably underrated today.

Both are great ring generals.

Inside game - prior to Canelo fight, I didn't think Bivol was an effective inside fighter. But he fought at close well against Alvarez. However, in the clinch, Kovalev was a more active and rougher of the two. He liked those coughing right hands behind the ear.

Great comparisons right there.

Thank you! Hope it wasn't that much of a long read!)

[scorpio83]

Honestly, I'd take Kovalev (a 2013-2016 version). A lot of things being equal between the two, I think Kovalev's power (backed up by skills) would eventually become the deciding factor in this fight.

For those, who won't mind reading to the end, here's my more detailed breakdown/comparison of fighters' strength and weaknesses:

Jab - jab is a dominant weapon for both. Both have good jabs. Kovalev had a more powerful one, IMO.

Footwork - edge to Bivol. Kovalev had a pretty good footwork, but he tended to square his feet at times. And he was sometimes getting off-balanced as a result of it.

Defense - both aren't impossible to hit. Their defense is coming mainly from a good distance control and footwork. But if/when you succeed in getting into the range - you can hit them.

I'd say, Kovalev was getting hit cleanly a little bit more often.

Chin - Kovalev may have been more chinny. But I don't think Bivol had the power to get rid off the prime Kov. Meanwhile, Kovalev had the power to hurt Bivol. And we've seen that overhand right from Joe Smith had Bivol reeling (arguably, saved by the bell) and going into survival mode in the next round.

Kovalev had that quick, sneaky overhand right. If he could catch Bivol with it - who knows what happens?

Power - Kovalev. I think, most would be in agreement here. Bivol has some pop. Especially, when he sits down on his shots. But Kovalev could generate KO power without much effort. He could hurt you with the jab.

Handspeed - after watching through clips on both guys, it did look to me that Kovalev actually had faster hands.

Stamina - Bivol is pacing himself better. But there were several fights (Richards, Salamov) where I thought Bivol kind of slowed down by the late rounds and was doing a lot of coasting.

Ring IQ - I don't think anyone would've had obvious advantage here. Kovalev was a more emotional fighter, perhaps. But his smarts inside the ring are probably underrated today.

Both are great ring generals.

Inside game - prior to Canelo fight, I didn't think Bivol was an effective inside fighter. But he fought at close well against Alvarez. However, in the clinch, Kovalev was a more active and rougher of the two. He liked those coughing right hands behind the ear.

Great comparisons right there.

Thank you! Hope it wasn't that much of a long read!)

No problem and it was interesting how good both fighters were.

[EdwardRevolver1993]

Great comparisons right there.

Thank you! Hope it wasn't that much of a long read!)

No problem and it was interesting how good both fighters were.

Thanks again!) What are your thoughts on Bivol-Beterbiev fight (June 1st)?

[scorpio83]

Edward, they would both put on a classic boxing matchup.