Sergey Kovalev vs Joe Calzaghe (175lbs)

[EdwardRevolver1993]

Former WBA/IBF/WBO LHW champ Kovalev versus former Ring LHW champ Calzaghe.

Let's take versions from their fights against a mutual opponent - Bernard Hopkins. Calzaghe from 2008 vs Kovalev from 2014.

How it goes and who wins?

[NazNaci1]

A tough match for both. Not sure Joe has enough to stop Sergey @ LH.

Could out work him but Sergey, in his prime and at his prime weight, had good speed, combinations and heavy hands. Plus he carried his power late into the fight.

Joe was busy and threw a lot of punches but like his mate, Cleverly, who also used to throw a lot of punches, getting countered and countered hard might dim that enthusiasm.

In the UK, Joe by SD anywhere else, Kovalev would take a close decision and might drop JC enroute.

[EdwardRevolver1993]

A tough match for both. Not sure Joe has enough to stop Sergey @ LH.

Could out work him but Sergey, in his prime and at his prime weight, had good speed, combinations and heavy hands. Plus he carried his power late into the fight.

Joe was busy and threw a lot of punches but like his mate, Cleverly, who also used to throw a lot of punches, getting countered and countered hard might dim that enthusiasm.

In the UK, Joe by SD anywhere else, Kovalev would take a close decision and might drop JC enroute.

I think, it's a very sound analysis. Interesting fight. I see variables here. So, I decided to take this fight to the forum to hear opinions.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Kovalev

[giacomino]

Close fight, I'd go with Crusher at his normal weight. Agree with some others that it might go SD to Joe in the UK but otherwise I'd favor Kovalev something like 115-113, maybe 115-112

[gilgamesh]

I think it'd be a close fight on the cards, but Kovalev's power is gonna be the difference. Calzaghe was dropped early by a shot Roy Jones, there's no way Kovalev ain't putting him down at some point in my opinion. Calzaghe may be unbeaten at Light Heavyweight, but his 2 big fights at that weight are Roy Jones and Bernard Hopkins. So he didn't fight a full fledged Light Heavyweight like a Kovalev, and I don't think he'd have made it the distance if he did.

Kovalev KO 10

[scorpio83]

Super Joe never fought the prime full fledge light heavyweights other than the past prime Roy Jones Jr. and the past prime, but still effective B-Hop after Super Joe dominated the super middleweight division which was no offense to him. Kovalev was a full fledge light heavyweight as he would outbox Calzaghe to either take a decision or he would stop him late.

[margaret thatcher]

sergey was such a good boxer for 6 rounds or so, before his stamina issues came into effect. sharp skills with big, effortless power. he could rattle joe and win plenty of rounds, but joe had a great engine and recovery. can see it putting on sergey as the fight goes on. honestly i'd still lean sergey to edge it with enough work earlier, but what the hell i'll officially say joe by late stoppage

[The Docker]

sergey was such a good boxer for 6 rounds or so, before his stamina issues came into effect. sharp skills with big, effortless power. he could rattle joe and win plenty of rounds, but joe had a great engine and recovery. can see it putting on sergey as the fight goes on. honestly i'd still lean sergey to edge it with enough work earlier, but what the hell i'll officially say joe by late stoppage

This a good point. Obviously this would be dependant on us awarding Joe artistic license of having no hand trouble whatsoever.