who is kovalev expected to fight next?*

[ikorolev]

Stevenson was supposed to fight Kovalev, then Hopkins, then Pascal, and none of that happened. Kovalev is right: Adonis is a piece of sh1t.

[Crease]

Surely it has to be Stevenson? It's very unusual for to have all four titles at stake in one fight. Any fight for an Undisputed Title surely has to take place in Vegas?

I can't believe that either fighter would turn down the chance at holding all four titles?

[Crease]

If Stevenson & Pascal don't take the fight, Jurgen Brahmer would be a good backup option.

[ikorolev]

Surely it has to be Stevenson? It's very unusual for to have all four titles at stake in one fight. Any fight for an Undisputed Title surely has to take place in Vegas?

I can't believe that either fighter would turn down the chance at holding all four titles?

Adonis Stevenson will not be able to fight Sergey Kovalev, even if he wanted to.

The fight isn’t going to happen, unless Kathy Duva allows her fighter to compete on Showtime (a TV network she sued and stopped working with recently), which seems unlikely since Main Events are now fully affiliated to HBO.

Adonis Stevenson is contracted to Showtime and is affiliated to Al Haymon... and as history has taught us, both parties refuse to work with HBO.

Duva herself said that she would be working with any of the two Canadians. She must know what she is talking about.

[greyman]

Unless its catchweight... Ward is the only stylist that I can think of... who stands a chance.

How about Beterbiev ?

He beat Kovalev twice (in 2 bouts) in the amateurs.

Pro boxing is different, I know, but that's the thing : Beterbiev has a style that usually fares better in the pros.

He was a harder puncher in the amateurs than Kovalev and has done nothing to prove otherwise in the pros.

I think that not only he stands a chance but he should be favored to win after he gets a few more fights.

When he makes a little more noise with one or two other big names on his resume, we'll see if Kovalev is willing to fight him. I have a feeling that he's going to try to avoid him at all cost... I hope I am wrong and we get to see them fight while they are both on top.

[ikorolev]

Beterbiev himself says that he only remembers one fight with Kovalev. That was a very close fight, so saying that Beterbiev beat Kovalev (especially twice) is wrong.

[ikorolev]

Interesting rehydration data for Kovalev. His rehydration weight has steadilly grown from 181 against Sillakh to 199 against Hopkins. I doubt that he can do any catch weight fights, so Ward would have to come up to 175.

2014:


November:

VS Bernard Hopkins - Contested at Light Heavyweight

Kovalev: 188
Hopkins: 182



August:
Sergey Kovalev VS Blake Caparello - Contested at Light Heavyweight
Kovalev: 185
Caparello: 185


March:


Sergey Kovalev VS Cedric Agnew - Contested at Light Heavyweight
Kovalev: 183
Agnew: 187

2013:


November:

Sergey Kovalev VS Ismayl Sillakh - Contested at Light Heavyweight

Kovalev: 181
Sillakh: 185

[PsychoGamerTwo]

Who can beat Kovalev? I'd say, Beterbiev, Stevenson & Ward.

If Stevenson has something special, its his power. If he lands on Kovalev with the punch that knocked out Dawson, God knows what happens. Otherwise Kovalev should win this fight. Stevensons chin is shaky, and his only chance is a lucky punch.

Beterbiev already beat him before, he seems like a beast, but i don't know him well enough. 50/50.

Then there is Ward. I would give him the best chances. Kovalev would have to knock him out, otherwise he'll end like Kessler.

Apart from these three guys, nobody has a chance to beat him, unless Kovalev suffers a heart attack in the ring.

[ikorolev]

F4ck !!! The above data may be unreliable. Another source says that Hopkins and Kovalev weighed 179.75 and 185.

[JCS]

F4ck !!! The above data may be unreliable. Another source says that Hopkins and Kovalev weighed 179.75 and 185.

HBO had Hopkins 182, Kovalev 188

[marvelous marv]

Other than Ali Raymi calling out Kovalev on Twitter, no one wants any piece of him.

[klitoris]

Braehmer is already 36. Wouldn't he be interested in a big paycheck? Hell they can even do it in Germany, if Kovalev can't sell well in the US. They can probably easily sell out the O2 in Hamburg.

[Baby Face Finster]

Who can beat Kovalev? I'd say, Beterbiev, Stevenson & Ward.

If Stevenson has something special, its his power. If he lands on Kovalev with the punch that knocked out Dawson, God knows what happens. Otherwise Kovalev should win this fight. Stevensons chin is shaky, and his only chance is a lucky punch.

Beterbiev already beat him before, he seems like a beast, but i don't know him well enough. 50/50.

Then there is Ward. I would give him the best chances. Kovalev would have to knock him out, otherwise he'll end like Kessler.

Apart from these three guys, nobody has a chance to beat him, unless Kovalev suffers a heart attack in the ring.

No way is Ward beating Kovalev. He won't even consider moving up in weight so that fight is a non starter, but I'm pretty confident that Kovalev would KO Ward at 175.

[greyman]

Beterbiev himself says that he only remembers one fight with Kovalev. That was a very close fight, so saying that Beterbiev beat Kovalev (especially twice) is wrong.

What ?

Saying Beterbiev beat Kovalev is wrong ???

"Kovalev: 2007 Russian Championships bronze medalist at light heavyweight, losing to Artur Beterbiev"

Look it up.

Seems pretty clear to me. Losing to Beterbiev == getting beat by Beterbiev.

Not sure about the other fight but I'm sure it's pretty easy to find. I've seen that 2-0 reference broadcast by major networks a few times.

Also the AIBA named Beterbiev boxer of the year and best p4p amateur boxer in 2010 so saying he can beat Kovalev is pretty reasonnable (although still speculation) for someone with those credentials.

[crusader]

F4ck !!! The above data may be unreliable. Another source says that Hopkins and Kovalev weighed 179.75 and 185.

That was reported as their weights on the morning of the fight, with neither allowed to be more than 10 pounds above the division limit per an IBF rule. The other figure seems to be what they weighed after the mandated morning weigh-in.

[ikorolev]

Beterbiev himself says that he only remembers one fight with Kovalev. That was a very close fight, so saying that Beterbiev beat Kovalev (especially twice) is wrong.

What ?

Saying Beterbiev beat Kovalev is wrong ???

"Kovalev: 2007 Russian Championships bronze medalist at light heavyweight, losing to Artur Beterbiev"

Look it up.

Seems pretty clear to me. Losing to Beterbiev == getting beat by Beterbiev.

Not sure about the other fight but I'm sure it's pretty easy to find. I've seen that 2-0 reference broadcast by major networks a few times.

Also the AIBA named Beterbiev boxer of the year and best p4p amateur boxer in 2010 so saying he can beat Kovalev is pretty reasonnable (although still speculation) for someone with those credentials.

Of course judges never make wrong decisions ... and there was no second fight.

[ikorolev]

Duva herself said that she would be working with any of the two Canadians. She must know what she is talking about.

Of course, promoters are always honest when making those sort of claims!

No, but what would be a reason for her to be dishonest in this case ?

[ikorolev]

To gain attention from the media and to ensure her fighters name is always mentioned whenever Stevenson fights.

Put it this way, Bob Arum has used the same ploy when promoting Paquiao's fights against Margarito and Algieri (i.e. the fictitious and false promises of negotiating Mayweather fights).

The next time Kovalev fights an anonimous opponent, Kathy Duva will probably mention Stevenson's name to gain attention from the media.

Didn't Tom Loeffler and HBO's boxing anslysts constantly bring up Andre Ward's name to generate public interest in GGG, before eventually dismissing the possibility of such a fight due to SOG's demands (even though they never tried to negotiate anything with him?).

The job of a promoter is to promote and publicise their fighters.

I have never heard Tom Loefler starting talking about Ward himself. He is just answering questions. Ward is absolutely not necessary for raising interest towards Golovkin. Casual fans know less about Ward who had one fight in two years than about Golovkin, and hardcore fans care much more about Golovkin than about Ward.

The same way, there is no need for Duva to mention Stevenson who is a smaller star now than Kovalev. Stevenson's name will be raised by reporters anyway, as he is one of a very few opponents who stands a chance against Kovalev and he is also an owner of the only remaining belt.

[ikorolev]

When the Stevenson fight fails to materialise and when Kathy Duva keeps mentioning his name to promote Kovalev... I'm sure you'll show some integrity by saying I was right all along.

Stevenson's name will be mentioned by everybody anyway until he loses to somebody or retires.

[Boxing Writer]

Michel: Artur Beterbiev Would Fight Kovalev Now

By Steve Kim

If it wasn't clear that light heavyweight Artur Beterbiev (6-0, 6KOs) wasn't being moved quickly after facing Tavoris Cloud in just his sixth fight (and scoring an eye-opening second round stoppage on September 27th), this statement from his promoter makes it that much more emphatic and clear:

"Look, it will seem pretentious but I tell you," BS was told by Yvon Michel of GYM, which promotes the 29-year old Russian - "(Beterbiev) would fight (Sergey) Kovalev, now."

As in 'right' now?

"Given the opportunity, he would fight (Kovalev) now," Michel, reiterated. "His management, his trainer, they tell me that whoever will fight him, and of course, Kovalev now that he has three titles is the target."

In the meantime Beterbiev is scheduled to face Jeff Page Jr. (15-0, 10KOs) on December 19th in Quebec City on the undercard featuring Adonis Stevenson-Dmitry Sukhotsky. The veteran promoter is absolutely convinced that he has the goods.

"I've been in the business for a long time, I've signed a lot of fighters, I've seen a lot of them, he trains at our office, it's on the first level, the gym, and I have a camera and a giant screen. So while I'm working I can see the guys sparring, training and everything and this guy is special. He is very, very special," said Michel.

So while the management is willing to pull the trigger, would Michel give the green light on a Kovalev fight, if so offered?

"Yes, absolutely, if I would get a call and I know, look, we're not starting to scream at (Kovalev) 'Oh, you're scared of fighting us.' I know what it is. I know that [Beterbiev] needs to do a couple of fights like he did with Tavoris Cloud. I know he's not very well known so it will take a little bit of time," admitted Michel.

The reality is that while Beterbiev has created a bit of a buzz within boxing circles and he seems to be the latest in boxing's Russian revolution, as of right now, he falls on the wrong side of the risk-reward ratio. It will take some time to build his profile.

"But not that much," points out Michel, who plans to move him quickly up the ladder.

"We will get him in the rankings, we will get him every opponent, we will have the resources to give him the proper opponents to get the proper credentials and to have his opportunity rapidly. When you have three belts, you have three mandatories to do and so we'll target one of the three to get that position, rapidly. I know because of his style, TV will always buy a Kovalev fight."

http://www.BS.com/michel-artur ... now--84113

[Freedom2013]

To gain attention from the media and to ensure her fighters name is always mentioned whenever Stevenson fights.

No, I think she and Kovalev want the fight with Stevenson if it's possible. Kovalev would like to unify all the belts at 175.

Put it this way, Bob Arum has used the same ploy when promoting Paquiao's fights against Margarito and Algieri (i.e. the fictitious and false promises of negotiating Mayweather fights).

No, he's never promised a fight with Floyd. Of course, like everybody else, he wanted that fight.

The next time Kovalev fights an anonymous opponent, Kathy Duva will probably mention Stevenson's name to gain attention from the media.

No, you're being ridiculous now.

Kovalev and Duva don't need to mention Stevenson's name to gain attention, nearly everybody involved with boxing regards Kovalev as the best and most exciting fighter at 175. You're one of a very few people who don't respect Sergey.

Didn't Tom Loeffler and HBO's boxing anslysts constantly bring up Andre Ward's name to generate public interest in GGG during the early stages of his career, before eventually dismissing the possibility of such a fight due to SOG's demands (even though they never tried to negotiate anything with him?).

No, you're making that up.

I've never heard Tom Loeffler or Gennady Golovkin ever even mention Ward's name except once when Loeffler was asked about him by Kellerman. Max loves Ward and talks about him quite often though.

[Freedom2013]

It seems as though I’m constantly reading interview transcripts whereby Tom Loeffler repeatedly discusses Andre Ward.

If you don’t believe me, why don’t you review the Google search results filtered for week after Golovkin’s fight against Rubio:
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%22to ... F2014&tbm=

Take a closer look. In none of those links where you searched for "Tom Loeffler" "Andre Ward" and "Gennady Golovkin" does Tom Loeffler bring up Andre Ward.

You're not being honest. You just don't like Gennady Golovkin, and it's not difficult for anyone to see why.

You don't respect Golovkin, Pacquiao, Marciano, Kovalev, etc but you admire and have a high opinion of Stevenson, Mayweather, Ward, Hopkins, etc. There's a pattern to all your posts, your motives are obvious.

[Freedom2013]

I’m not being dishonest and I have no intention of supplying tons of links detailing the articles whereby Tom Loeffler discusses Andre Ward. Read the links again... or review more of them.

Because there are none. Loeffler doesn't bring up Ward's name at all.

I am a huge fan of Gennady Golovkin, but I am disappointed at the way his career has been handled. If he had made the jump to Golden Boy or Top Rank six years ago, he would have become a superstar by now. Hell… I’d even go on record by saying that they’d only need a couple of years to elevate his status to superstardom.

Put it this way, the Klitschko brothers are the majority shareholders of K2 and it’s only recently that they’ve started beating the proverbial drum by mentioning Golovkin's name to the media (a fighter they’re supposed to promote)… whereas Bob Arum probably would have suffered from a mild form of "GGG Tourette’s syndrome" by now if he promoted Gennady.

Nearly everybody else thinks Loeffler and K-2 have done an excellent job for Golovkin. Gennady had a bad promoter before that in Universum, who nearly ruined his career. Top Rank has done a poor job for Korobov (he actually regressed) and are not doing much for Zewski and other talented up-and-comers.

Now you're being harshly critical of the Klitschkos, you don't like them either, do you? I keep seeing that same pattern, Fergus.

[keirw]

I'm sure Duva would make the Stevenson fight in a heart-beat were it possible and I've no doubt Kovalev would take it.
But as things stand it isn't very likely to happen anytime soon. I see nothing wrong with them mentioning Stevenson at every opportunity as it was his decision to switch camps that has made the fight near impossible to make.
But you never know in boxing, things may change and the fight may happen at some point, the more that people's appetite for the fight is whetted now, the bigger the fight will be if it does happen down the line.

As for the Golovkin/Ward debate, Tom Loeffler may not bring Ward's name up in every interview but he doesn't have to, as he has already said that Golovkin would fight anyone from 154-168 lbs.
He knew full well when he said it that it would have media and fans alike dreaming of seeing him fight Cotto or Canelo or Froch or Ward or even Floyd.
I think there is nothing at all wrong with it, just planting the seeds and letting them grow.

[ikorolev]

I am a huge fan of Gennady Golovkin

You are a huge liar