Why is Kovalev so heavily favored over Stevenson?

[crusader]

It seems like Kovalev is the wide favorite when this question is asked, with most people predicting that he'd win emphatically. However, as a Kovalev fan I see Adonis as a major threat with his power, solid speed, and respectable basic boxing skills, by which I mean his use of the jab, power shots off of the jab, and lateral movement. I also don't think Sergey has faced a particularly hard puncher before, and I'm not sure how he'll stand up to one of Stevenson's powerful left.

Who do you think would win and why, keeping in mind that Stevenson arguably ducking Kovalev doesn't mean that the former is an inferior fighter? I'm particularly interested in the opinions of those who are confident that Kovalev wins decisively.

[diddy]

Adonis has one punch.

Kovalev has an arsenal and can knock you out with either hand, from any angle.

He is also a better mover with better footwork.

Cuts off ring better. Better ring generalship.

Better jab. Just as fast. Smarter. Better defense.

Am I missing anything?

[MachoTime]

^ Yup. Good answer.

[Blodhemn]

Stevenson fights one way, at one pace and has hit his ceiling, being pushed hard by Fonfara. Kovalev seems better at improvising, thinking on the fly, and still has room to improve. They both have weapons and styles to take each other out, Adonis just looks the more vulnerable. It could go either way, but I don't see how Kovalev could not be favored at this point.

[hulkmaniac]

Both of their chins are suspect

[Lenny Cravats]

I'd favour Kovalev, but I would hardly bet the house on it.

[Ian1973]

Kovalev is better. It's that simple.

[Badhusker]

Kovalev will be a slight favorite, but wouldn't say he is a heavy favorite. Either guy is dangerous early on. The late rounds favor Kovalev more though, imo, as Stevenson seems to gas somewhat late. I would bet on Kovalev to win, but wouldn't bet a lot. People have the assumption Stevenson is afraid of Kovalev, but really doubt that is the case.

[Impractical Poster]

I'm thinking most knowledgeable fans understand it would be a great match-up and that Adonis is a true threat... it's just that most also observe that Kovalev is a better all around fighter and therefore would lean his way if they fight. Thus, it looks as if Kovelev is a heavier favorite than the actual fight would suggest.... if that makes any sense.

[Counter-puncher]

Adonis might be the better athlete but I'm pretty sure Kovalev is the better fighter

[Ricky_]

Stevenson is terrified of Kovalev. He's already lost to be honest.

[Tarkus]

Because Stevenson dodged Kovalev and had a questionable fight with Fonfara where he showed signs of vulnerability. I imagine after yesterdays fight some will be tempted to back the superman more. Stevenson is a major threat with his speed, footwork, power and defense. I would favor Kovalev 55/45.

[ikorolev]

Both of their chins are suspect

I am afraid that Kovalev's chin is more of a suspect, as he was KO'd in amateurs.

[Datsue]

Adonis might be the better athlete but I'm pretty sure Kovalev is the better fighter

[KBB]

Kovalev is so heavily favored because he has beaten better competition in BHop than all of the fighters Stevenson faced put together.

Yeah I know that people will say that Dawson beat BHop but the truth is, he beat a guy who is/was on the way down, who knows how that fight would've played out had it went the distance.

Still Kovalev is rightly favored for a reason.

[VG_Addict]

Last night, I saw that Stevenson still has the same flaws in his game.

He lunges when he punches, and he drops his hands when he throws. He tends to drop his left hand when he throws a right, and vice versa. He also has terrible balance.

[zorndeslammes]

When you have two guys without any obvious huge flaws and one has far more ways to win the fight, you pick them. Kovalev is, I think, superior to Adonis Stevenson in every single respect. There's a harsh truth that few people seem willing to face also with Stevenson - his "linear title" win (suspect in my eyes) was against a guy who's skills had vastly declined, a fact reinforced in subsequent performances. He hasn't fought terrible people per se, but I think at this point Kovalev's opposition is clearly stronger since then. Stevenson also looks like he's peaked and on the wrong side of the mountain, whereas Kovalev is only beginning to reach his potential.

[birdman77]

Lets differentiate b/n heavily favored and whether experts generally agree on 1 fighter vs the other. Personally, from visiting many forums the opinion is split about 1/2 towards Kovalev (white fans) and 1/2 for Adonis (black fans). Haha just kidding on race of fans. Laugh people.

Tough fight to predict bc Kova appears a better BOXER than many predicted. Average defense...excellent coordination & smart fighter...as is Russian boxing school. Beatable, and perhaps top guy at 175. Ward and he will never happen unfortunately. Which brings AS....

I like watching Superman. He's got a dangerous skill set. I think he's shown vulnerability here & there but has never come close to really losing since his ko of Dawson. He'll be hard to wear down. But then I can't see Kova NOT being able to back him up regularly. Which doesn't make Krusher 1-dimensional it just shows his skill set in setting up great puwer shots.

I think it would go distance personally if neither scored stoppage by 6-8 rds. Krusher by split decision or UD

[Datsue]

I think it would go distance personally if neither scored stoppage by 6-8 rds. Krusher by split decision or UD

I concur with the idea of a distance fight; sometimes when two punchers meet (especially two punchers who have been mooted to fight at a prior date & then kept apart cough-cough-because-of-Al-Haymon-cough), if one doesn't get kersplatted early, it results in a tense distance affair 'cos they're both very aware that letting it all out might mean walking on to something that they don't recover from.

[Boxing Prospect]

I think it would go distance personally if neither scored stoppage by 6-8 rds. Krusher by split decision or UD

I concur with the idea of a distance fight; sometimes when two punchers meet (especially two punchers who have been mooted to fight at a prior date & then kept apart cough-cough-because-of-Al-Haymon-cough), if one doesn't get kersplatted early, it results in a tense distance affair 'cos they're both very aware that letting it all out might mean walking on to something that they don't recover from.

I understand that view...but on the other hand I also think Kovalev is naturally heavy handed. It's not like he goes all out to force a stoppage (he did in RD12 Vs Hopkins, I'll give you that) but every shot of his hurts like a bitch. Stevenson I think needs to load up more to generate his power. When you're naturally heavy handed I suspect you hold that power until late...

[zorndeslammes]

If the fight goes 12, my inclination based on both men's performance and attributes is that Kovalev wins the fight going away. This goes back to the "one guy has more ways to win" option. Kovalev is, I think the better boxer *and* the better athlete *and* younger. If Stevenson tries to jump in and out with power punches, he'll get clipped. If he doesn't do that, he loses the fight by doing nothing.

[Ilya Muromets]

Adonis has one punch.

Kovalev has an arsenal and can knock you out with either hand, from any angle.

He is also a better mover with better footwork.

Cuts off ring better. Better ring generalship.

Better jab. Just as fast. Smarter. Better defense.

Am I missing anything?

He hits A LOT harder.

[Dennis]

Stevenson is a fast southpaw. He throws the straight left the way it should be thrown, fast, straight and hard. Kovalev looked vulnerable to that punch vs Caparello and if Adonis lands it the fight could be over. I believe this is a very even fight. They both had their issues with Darnell Boone and both destroyed him in their rematches.

[SenorPipino]

Seen Stevenson down and/or staggered too many times. Even during his ESPN days.
He has no chin. Once he gets tagged by the Russian, it's all over.

It's not a fight that will be decided by who hits harder. The chin is all that counts.
Stevenson would fall within 5.

[thomasjkelley]

Kovalev seems to have great instinct in that ring, I think that's his greatest asset and we all know what else he brings to the table.