Sergey Kovalev vs. Anthony Yarde - 24 August 2019

[skanksta]

A lot of talk about Canelo v Kovalev as well.

That is smack-talk, Shirley ?
Why would that make sense ?

[Autobarn]

Probably Nutmeg will insist on a catchweight.

Kovalev is still an accomplished boxer but not the most athletic and would likely be dismal taking off too much weight (as Canelo did for Mayweather).

I do think the chunky, well fed Nutmeg enjoys moving up in weight and gaining victories that flatter him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Autobarn]

Nutmeg will surely try and get Kovalev to boil his bones down several pounds inside the light heavyweight limit. Closer, I'm thinking, to 168 than 175. Kovalev looks a tad dry and drawn as it is at 175, not the physical force anymore but rather his good basics (that we saw in the Hopkins fight, and repeated in the Alvarez rematch) keeping him near the top.

Would love to be proven wrong, would be happy to be surprised. But this is what I don't like about the big money boxing, names like Nutmeg, and before him Cotto, exploiting other fighters. Handicapping like "Sugar" Ray Leonard when he was in to his '30s, slowing down and coming off a 3-year-layoff due to serious eye injury. Disconcerting to see Nutmeg doing this in the prime of his career, and only winning the fights nip and tuck, without flourishes, bold rallies, etc. (You do see him pull off fancy offensive or defensive moves, but it's not so impressive when he needs to suck on air for the next two minutes).

Strangely, I think he could do some very good work at 168, where his hand speed might surprise a few good, world class fighters, catch one or two unprepared.

And, as others have already noted, don't be surprised if "Kovalevl"'s name is exploited before settling for Jaime Munguia. I'm very surprised this fight was not mentioned or in the works since Munguia's couple of crowd pleasing defences vs the brothers of Callum Smith & Naoye Inoue.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Kovalev-Yarde Finally Confirmed For August 24 in Chelyabinsk

The three-time light heavyweight titlist is set to defend his crown versus unbeaten mandatory challenger Anthony Yarde. Their long-discussed bout will take place on August 24 at Traktor Sports Palace in Kovalev’s hometown of Chelyabinsk, Russia.

News of the pairing’s finalization was confirmed on Friday by the Russian Boxing Federation, who will oversee the event.

Several factors contributed to the holdup, including logistical issues on the end of the event handlers funding the event. It was enough to force no fewer than two rescheduled dates before landing on August 24—only to serve as a holding point while sorting out final details.

The event marks just the second time Yarde enters a fight scheduled for 12 rounds, although he has never been past the 7th round of any given pro fight to date.

Also confirmed for the August 24 show is an intriguing cruiserweight crossroads bout between Russia’s unbeaten Aleksei Pepin (11-0, 10KOs) and resurgent veteran contender Ilunga Makabu (25-2, 24KOs).

A knockout is all but ensured, as Pepin has won nine straight inside the distance, while Makabu has closed the show in each of his last five starts, including a 5th round stoppage of Dmitry Kudryahov just two months ago in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

[NoScoutingReports]

Frank Wazza has just confirmed this for the 24th August in Russia.

[Bard of Boxrec]

Now this is what I'm talking about.

Great fight. Big fan of Yarde. I think it might be the time to beat Kovalev.

[ThereByTheGrace]

Now this is what I'm talking about.

Great fight. Big fan of Yarde. I think it might be the time to beat Kovalev.

Maybe in the UK, but in Russia....

[Boxerbeetle]

Now this is what I'm talking about.

Great fight. Big fan of Yarde. I think it might be the time to beat Kovalev.

Maybe in the UK, but in Russia....

On Christmas Day...

[ThereByTheGrace]

Maybe in the UK, but in Russia....

On Christmas Day...

Only one man capable of that! Maaaa name is Rocky Balboa!

[3132DW]

Frank Wazza has just confirmed this for the 24th August in Russia.

Yarde will need a KO as he’s never winning on points in Russia never mind Kovalev’s own home town.

[3132DW]

Now this is what I'm talking about.

Great fight. Big fan of Yarde. I think it might be the time to beat Kovalev.

Maybe in the UK, but in Russia....

It’s nearly 2000 Km from Moscow and 3 hours by flight - miles from anywhere. Unless Yarde is getting private jet that’s a gruelling trip just to get to venue.

[forcefraser]

Anybody going to this?

[JxhDel.]

I hope it will be a rude awakening for Yarde.

[Roars Like Me]

I can hear the the immortal words' Yarde can come again' already.

Ya never sure though, as we know Kov is human now.

[Coco]

If yarde gets smashed first round in a career ending defeat and walks away with a million, his team have still done an amazing job

[NoScoutingReports]

[MightyWarrior]

Big balls on Yarde taking this one, that is going to be one unfriendly place he's traveling to ...there will be all sorts of shenanigans going on to unsettle him even before he steps in the ring with the Krusher. He'll need some take no shite bad asses looking out for him over there.

[hitman_hatton1]

yarde has looked the goods so far.

admittedly in semi decent company.

yarde in 7 rds.

[skanksta]

Here's a picture of downtown Chelyabinsk...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelyabin ... NW_far.jpg

Massive home advantage on top of what was already a tough fight - fair play to The Beast

[knockout]

seeing Tunde talk, they seem to be very confident, almost bordering on dismissive of Kovalevs chances.. yes he has slipped from his prime but he is still a legit World Champion ... defending at home for the first time .. its a huge step up for Yarde who has some great qualities but is unproven in plenty of other areas.

British bookies have Kov favourite at roughly 1/2 and Yarde at 2/1 ..... not sure i would have it that close.

[skanksta]

Home advantage is huge in this one.
Russia is a mafia state, with a different alphabet, different time zones - Yarde will be completely out of his comfort zone in his first big fight. Plus he’ll be getting shakedowns from immigration, the police, the gangsters...
he could freeze a la Jeff Lacy.

OR, and he seems a very calm character - he could do to Krusher what Krusher did to Cleverly -
that was beautiful brutality !
Would be great if Kov could kinda pass on the torch of devastating away KOs

Has Yarde got a calm, experienced team around him ? Is allegedly going?

[3132DW]

Hearn was still talking Kovalev / Canelo last night - I wouldn’t be surprised if Yarde gets £500K/£750k to step aside and then fight the winner - money talks.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hearn was still talking Kovalev / Canelo last night - I wouldn’t be surprised if Yarde gets £500K/£750k to step aside and then fight the winner - money talks.

Hearn just talks. He ain’t got nothing to do with Canelo.

[tobyh5]

Sounds like Yarde about to step aside