Pascal & Kovalev get fruity at presser

[crusader]

He was knocked out as an amateur but I didn't get the impression that he was wary of Hopkins' power (what power?). To me it looked like he was mindful that BHOP's defensive nous and durability would give the latter a solid chance of taking him deep into the fight, and hence he fought conservatively to avoid gassing over a longer duration than he was used to.

[handsofstone]

Its a downer the McKenzie-Askin card got shelved,I'm bored as balls just now,I could do with staying up to watch this card

[reggaereggae]

He was knocked out as an amateur but I didn't get the impression that he was wary of Hopkins' power (what power?). To me it looked like he was mindful that BHOP's defensive nous and durability would give the latter a solid chance of taking him deep into the fight, and hence he fought conservatively to avoid gassing over a longer duration than he was used to.

Who knocked him out? Is there a video.

Chins are a funny thing. Sometimes they can improve.

Look at Haye and Khan. They both looked so chinny early on, they got wobbled at a lighter weight by (comparatively) light punching journeymen. Especially Haye has not even ben hurt at heavy and he still took some decent shots from Wlad. I know Khan's chin is suspect but he lasted against Maidana and it has certainly improved.

Also Vitali got ko'd (albeit by a kick) by pele Reid yet took some monstrous shots off Lennox

[crusader]

He was knocked out by Abbos Atoev, who is a two-time world amateur champ and Olympic bronze medalist. Incidentally, Atoev was himself stopped by Kovalev KTFO victim Ismayl Sillakh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ULtn1mnbPI

Kovalev hasn't looked chinny as a pro to me and he's taken his fair share of punches, but then again he's yet to fight a notable puncher and it's hard to ignore a stoppage loss like that even if it was the amateurs. You raise a good point about durability improving and one of the most durable fighters of recent years, David Tua, was knocked out in about 20 seconds as an amateur by a fairly innocuous looking blow.

[crusader]

Took some good shots and handled them fine tonight in my opinion. I've noticed that he generally doesn't have the best balance and it's not uncommon for him to stumble as if he was shaken even when he's not hit, so I think that contributes to some perceptions that he has durability issues.

[taffytoon]

What a great set of whiskers Pascal has!!! Crickey no wonder he hasn't been stopped before. Kovelev took some good shots tonight as well

[ALI]

He was knocked out by Abbos Atoev, who is a two-time world amateur champ and Olympic bronze medalist. Incidentally, Atoev was himself stopped by Kovalev KTFO victim Ismayl Sillakh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ULtn1mnbPI

Anyone have a link to the full fight, or a longer clip of the knock down/stoppage?

[crusader]

That's all I've been able to find. It was the first round so I doubt that much happened before it...

[handsofstone]

Cracking fight as I expected and was good to see Kovalev faced with a bit of adversity for first time as a pro as Pascal landed with some flush shots but I had a feeling Jean would last the course but Sergey showed that frighting power again

Kovalev looking more and more a polished boxer with each passing fight for the most part though and unless Stevenson KO's him I can't see Adonis's southpaw style causing too much grief for Krusher

A special mention must go to Pascal though,every being in his body must have been urging him to quit in the 3rd and start of 4th but he survived to have his best spell and at one point I actually thought he could do it,especially if he landed with one of those wild right hands over the top,brave,brave man

[palooka]

Isn't Atoev a southpaw? If Stevenson can find a place for his back hand hook it'd be a good fight.

[Monte Fisto]

Cracking fight as I expected and was good to see Kovalev faced with a bit of adversity for first time as a pro as Pascal landed with some flush shots but I had a feeling Jean would last the course but Sergey showed that frighting power again

Kovalev looking more and more a polished boxer with each passing fight for the most part though and unless Stevenson KO's him I can't see Adonis's southpaw style causing too much grief for Krusher

A special mention must go to Pascal though,every being in his body must have been urging him to quit in the 3rd and start of 4th but he survived to have his best spell and at one point I actually thought he could do it,especially if he landed with one of those wild right hands over the top,brave,brave man

Agreed. Was fascinating even when pascal was getting peppered. Pascal always saves himself for those 30 second flurries, but as expected the power did catch up with him. Big credit to them both.

[Boxerbeetle]

Kovalev must carry a ridiculous amount of power. Pascal took countless flush shots from Froch without ever really looking in trouble; Kovalev had him reeling with almost every punch he landed (including jabs!). Very impressive performance, he beats Adonis easily as long as he avoids his big money shot.

[dalcumly]

Did you notice in the ring before the fight, when the ref went over to speak to Kovalev, he had a quiet smile about what the ref said.

I read a lot into that. He was confident, composed, was unconcerned about all the hoo haa going on around him and KNEW he'd batter Pascal.

Kovalev is up there with Moore, Foster and Jones.

Very near the top of the pound for pound list along with Golovkin ( and not a tattoo between them !!!!)

Stevenson - easy fight.

[Boxerbeetle]

Also liked the way Kovalev was laughing at Pascal just before the finish when he was staggering between corners. He's one mean m'fer, clearly enjoys beating people up. Hopkins is very lucky that Kovalev wanted to get the 12 rounds under his belt.

[MightyWarrior]

Did you notice in the ring before the fight, when the ref went over to speak to Kovalev, he had a quiet smile about what the ref said.

I read a lot into that. He was confident, composed, was unconcerned about all the hoo haa going on around him and KNEW he'd batter Pascal.

I noticed that, and it was due to the ref giving him an overly fussy lecture, before the fight even started, because we heard the ref tell Pascal not to let himself get carried away by the big crown...which is an odd thing to say. But yes, very relaxed.

That's about the third time we've seen him laughing at a hurt opponent, he is one nasty SOB - as is rival champ Adonis. I hope to hell they make this fight now.

[Datsue]

That is how you end a big test.

Kudos to Pascal, whatever's wrong with his engine, his punch selection, his footwork & his boxing technique, there's fvck-all wrong with his heart & chin.

I was screaming at the telly for Kovalev to be more conservative & pick him apart a bit before trying to take his man's head off but in retrospect he might've thought jumping on his man & battering him & taking the risk of the odd wild return bomb was a better percentage than letting Pascal into the fight & potentially gain momentum.

Fvcking war, that was. Hats off to both. Fight of the year thus far?

PS: Hasn't John David Jackson done well? What a dude he was, anyone remember him coming over here to make Chris Pyatt look silly before moving up to middle & walking on to that blockbuster from Jorge Fernando Castro?

[MightyWarrior]

That is how you end a big test.

Kudos to Pascal, whatever's wrong with his engine, his punch selection, his footwork & his boxing technique, there's fvck-all wrong with his heart & chin.

I was screaming at the telly for Kovalev to be more conservative & pick him apart a bit before trying to take his man's head off but in retrospect he might've thought jumping on his man & battering him & taking the risk of the odd wild return bomb was a better percentage than letting Pascal into the fight & potentially gain momentum.

Fvcking war, that was. Hats off to both. Fight of the year thus far?

PS: Hasn't John David Jackson done well? What a dude he was, anyone remember him coming over here to make Chris Pyatt look silly before moving up to middle & walking on to that blockbuster from Jorge Fernando Castro?

Yeah JD Jackson was never a fashionable champion, and was brought over as the fall guy for up and coming Chris Pyatt, but just out classed him. Yes I remember he was involved in an incredible war with Castro.. ...he's making a great trainer these days, been there & done it all.

Pascal is one hell of a brave fighter. He took a shell hacking , but kept throwing bombs all the way

[crusader]

Kovalev must carry a ridiculous amount of power. Pascal took countless flush shots from Froch without ever really looking in trouble; Kovalev had him reeling with almost every punch he landed (including jabs!). Very impressive performance, he beats Adonis easily as long as he avoids his big money shot.

One thing that really impresses me about Kovalev is how he's able to hurt people without loading up. I've seen him hurt several good fighters now with lead lefts that aren't far from jabs.

[Bodyshot3]

Pascal really is a proper fighting man....he took some stuff that lifted Nathan Clev clean out of his boots and was still trying to make things happen and defiant against Kov. He took some proper, hardcore whacks from Froch all those years ago in Nottingham and has clearly not lost his spirit or physical hardness. Nice to see all his presser antics were not just for show; he wanted it and was prepared to front-up to Kov right from the get-go.

I think that Ward is probably the only guy out there who represents any kind of threat for Kov....if he has not declined due to rusting on the sidelines, I think he has got a decent chance.

[handsofstone]

I'm still not quite sure how a near 50 year old went 12 rounds with Kovalev,B-Hops a one off

[crusader]

BHOP is one of a kind, but being hugely cautious and rarely opening up (he threw fewer punches over 12 than Pascal did over 7 and a third) probably helped, especially considering how often Kovalev hurts opponents when they attack.

[reggaereggae]

I'm still not quite sure how a near 50 year old went 12 rounds with Kovalev,B-Hops a one off

Take loads of PED's and dont take any risks in the entire fight.

[whiskey]

I actually saw a few flaws in Kovalev's approach, and he doesn't like getting hit back. Beterbiev could give him a lot of trouble.

Pascal was lacking any sort of game plan. And his usual poor work rate was as poor as it's ever been.

I can see pascal fighting Adonis next. If he loses he retires.

[hurlock]

Gomez you dope!! Berbetiev looked very I comftable and unorganised under arttack

[Bodyshot3]

After that fight, I am pretty adamant that I don't want Carl to fight Kov and hopefully it is not on the cards......the Russian's power is shocking.

And even though Carl is a warrior with a teflon chin and will hit back hard himself, it is not stuff he needs to be taking at this stage of his career. Maybe fun for us to watch as the bombs would be flying for a while but ultimately not good for Froch who'd have the balls to stand and trade with Kov.

Anyone feel different about CF having a crack at Kov?

As said earlier I think that Ward is the only one with an earthly and I am pretty sure that Ward has not experienced hitting like that before. But he's good at negating power, blocking shots and is super-accurate with his own work, so he might well be the man to stop the big, scary beast.