The return of Sergey Kovalev ... What are you expecting ?

[Evander]

Sergey Kovalev 30-2-1 [26 KO's] returns to box Vyacheslav Shabranskky 19-1 [16 KO's] in New York on November 25th.
What are you expecting see from Sergey Kovalev ?

In terms of changes ... boxing technique, attitude, stamina, power and overall performance are you expecting to see some kind of significant change and if so for the better or worse ?
There was much talk about what when on in the lead up to the Andre Ward fights, perhaps true perhaps not perhaps a mix of both ... do you think he's put that behind him or is he still be bearing a grudge ?

[boxing_rocks]

I am not sure that he has sufficient motivation to get back on the very top. Of course, he will likely beat Shabransky and get the belt, but I am not sure that he can successfully unify or beat Gvozdyk.

[Evander]

There have been times while watching Sergey Kovalev both on tv and watching him live in person in Las Vegas against Andre Ward that's about the most intoxicating spectacle in sport.
Reason I brought up perhaps a bad attitude and grudges is I hope he doesn't go that route.
This is an important fight for him, he's under review and I hope he doesn't blow it.

[boxing_rocks]

There have been times while watching Sergey Kovalev both on tv and watching him live in person in Las Vegas against Andre Ward that's about the most intoxicating spectacle in sport.
Reason I brought up perhaps a bad attitude and grudges is I hope he doesn't go that route.
This is an important fight for him, he's under review and I hope he doesn't blow it.

The reason he lost the second Ward fight after being robbed in the first one was low motivation. Of course, there were multiple low blows and no reaction from the ref, but it was also clear that Kovalev was gassing and would most likely have lost anyway. He didn't train well, and I am not sure if he has enough fire left to train well enough to be able to get on the very top.

[Evander]

There have been times while watching Sergey Kovalev both on tv and watching him live in person in Las Vegas against Andre Ward that's about the most intoxicating spectacle in sport.
Reason I brought up perhaps a bad attitude and grudges is I hope he doesn't go that route.
This is an important fight for him, he's under review and I hope he doesn't blow it.

The reason he lost the second Ward fight after being robbed in the first one was low motivation. Of course, there were multiple low blows and no reaction from the ref, but it was also clear that Kovalev was gassing and would most likely have lost anyway. He didn't train well, and I am not sure if he has enough fire left to train well enough to be able to get on the very top.

Which is why this fight is important for him.

[Enlightened-One]

Sergey Kovalev 30-2-1 [26 KO's] returns to box Vyacheslav Shabranskky 19-1 [16 KO's] in New York on November 25th.
What are you expecting see from Sergey Kovalev ?

I’m expecting a slightly sub-par iteration of Sergey Kovalev to score a mid-rounds KO victory over Vyacheslav Shabranskyy.

I think it’s going to take a while for his new team (Aleksandr Sedov and Abror Tursunpulatov) to address his physical and stylistic flaws, because it’s clear that Krusher’s weaknesses are stamina and vulnerability to body shots.

Therefore, I expect to see the veteran use his experience, coupled with the implementation of one or two new techniques, to focus on gaining the victory in the most efficient manner possible, rather than recklessly trying to stop his opponent quickly in order to excite fight fans.

Of course, I could be wrong about my prediction, but I’d be personally disappointed if Sergey Kovalev’s approach hasn’t changed against Shabranskyy, because it would mean that he hasn’t learned anything from both defeats to Andre Ward and his surprisingly competitive bout against Isaac Chilemba.

By the time Sergey Kovalev inevitably defends his newly-acquired WBO title, he’ll be 35 years of age. So now’s the time for him to adapt his fighting style in order to extend his time at the top of the sport, because I don’t think his physicality alone will be sufficient enough at this stage of his career to defeat his fellow elite-level 175lb-ers.

[Heretic]

There have been times while watching Sergey Kovalev both on tv and watching him live in person in Las Vegas against Andre Ward that's about the most intoxicating spectacle in sport.
Reason I brought up perhaps a bad attitude and grudges is I hope he doesn't go that route.
This is an important fight for him, he's under review and I hope he doesn't blow it.

The reason he lost the second Ward fight after being robbed in the first one was low motivation. Of course, there were multiple low blows and no reaction from the ref, but it was also clear that Kovalev was gassing and would most likely have lost anyway. He didn't train well, and I am not sure if he has enough fire left to train well enough to be able to get on the very top.

Do you have some kind of proof to back up your claim that Kovalev was not training properly for the rematch? Or is it just a feeling of yours? Rumors you hear?

I find it hard to believe that Kovalev would have had motivation issues for the rematch...

[NateJR]

I expect to see a broken man. As big of a bully as Kovalev is, he doesn't seem to be the most mentally of strong people out there. He just seems to be one of those people, that once he gets taken off the throne, he just doesn't get back to the form that put him on top.

Kovalev is a recipe for disaster from here on out. Wouldn't be surprised at all if he ends up losing again in the near future to someone he would have stream rolled prior to the Ward fights. I'm quite confident that Stevenson would knock him out at this point, but damn I still really, really want to see that fight.

[Tanzio]

I hope Krushedner returns to form.

[littlepug]

Nothing...he has shown his hand and it wasn't good enough

[greg]

..indeed it will be interesting to see how much toll home-town decisions and Nevada-style imcompetence took on the boxer..

[Tanzio]

..indeed it will be interesting to see how much toll home-town decisions and Nevada-style imcompetence took on the boxer..

Still crying, greg? Don’t fret, at least your lord and saviour has a ginger cock sock.

[greg]

..indeed it will be interesting to see how much toll home-town decisions and Nevada-style imcompetence took on the boxer..

Still crying, greg? Don’t fret, at least your lord and saviour has a ginger cock sock.

missing the point as usual, over and out

[Tanzio]

..indeed it will be interesting to see how much toll home-town decisions and Nevada-style imcompetence took on the boxer..

Still crying, greg? Don’t fret, at least your lord and saviour has a ginger cock sock.

missing the point as usual, over and out

It is ok, greg, you are crybaby among crybabies on here.

[boxing_rocks]

There have been times while watching Sergey Kovalev both on tv and watching him live in person in Las Vegas against Andre Ward that's about the most intoxicating spectacle in sport.
Reason I brought up perhaps a bad attitude and grudges is I hope he doesn't go that route.
This is an important fight for him, he's under review and I hope he doesn't blow it.

The reason he lost the second Ward fight after being robbed in the first one was low motivation. Of course, there were multiple low blows and no reaction from the ref, but it was also clear that Kovalev was gassing and would most likely have lost anyway. He didn't train well, and I am not sure if he has enough fire left to train well enough to be able to get on the very top.

Do you have some kind of proof to back up your claim that Kovalev was not training properly for the rematch? Or is it just a feeling of yours? Rumors you hear?

I find it hard to believe that Kovalev would have had motivation issues for the rematch...

He kept saying that he overtrained for the first fight and is now doing it a right way. We saw results of that.

[Jip]

Past prime

[Ruthless-RKO]

He'll win the WBO title.. Whether he keeps it long term or unifies the division.. I'm not so sure.. Stevenson is older, but at this rate, I reckon he beats Kovalev today..

He never always had the best of defences, but his opponents were always credible enough.. More recently.

[gilgamesh]

Shabranskyy will have his moments, but Kovalev will stop him I figure. Will have to see how he looks against Shabranskyy before I can guess how he'll do against tougher opponents

[3132DW]

Live On Sky Sports in UK

[In the know 85]

Brutality at its best hopefully, he's far less impressive when he try's to box, I'd rather see him walk opponents down and let his hands go

[Perseus]

I expect to see a broken man. As big of a bully as Kovalev is, he doesn't seem to be the most mentally of strong people out there. He just seems to be one of those people, that once he gets taken off the throne, he just doesn't get back to the form that put him on top.

Kovalev is a recipe for disaster from here on out. Wouldn't be surprised at all if he ends up losing again in the near future to someone he would have stream rolled prior to the Ward fights. I'm quite confident that Stevenson would knock him out at this point, but damn I still really, really want to see that fight.

Yep, Kovalev either dominates or he gets beat.
He doesn't have it him to gut out a tough fight and never did.

[Oiky]

Kovalev is going to stop shabransky

[Ossyrules]

Typically when a knockout machine in the bully mould of kovalev gets beat, it’s exposes the aura a bit and a bit of the fear factor for opponents goes. I feel a lot on here don’t rate him too fairly as they get swamped into the whole controversy with ward etc. Let’s be fair, kovalev was one of the top p4pers at his best.

It’s clear that he wasn’t in a great place as far as his day to day training was going. Namely the turbulence of his relationship with JDJ. Whoever is at fault isn’t my point, the point is a happy boxer is a dangerous boxer, and you need to be at one with your corner.

I suspect kovalev is probably going to be on the slide post ward. Disagree with those who think Stevenson beats him. I think kovalev has got that one. I actually still think he’s best at 175 now Ward has gone, but I don’t expect him to be as good or at the top for many more years

[ElJefe]

Kovalev at 60% of what he once was should still be enough to beat Shabranskyy comfortably, probably by knockout. From his reaction to things getting tough in the 2nd Ward rematch and things you hear about him in terms of training, lifestyle and attitude, I'd be very surprised if we ever see Kovalev look as good as he did when he tore through the 175lb division before coming unstuck against Ward.

[lazboy]

Yea have to agree with the above two comments. I’m not convinced he is training hard. Basically I don’t see him as a gym rat and Ward, who beat him on paper twice, received more money, was allowed to foul including the tackling and grappling could have really dissuaded him from boxing and the politics involved. Either it’s lit a fire in him or he’s succumbed to anger and bitterness even denial. Or neither. We shall see but I’m think yea he won’t be at his bets but should win however I have never heard of his opponent.