What's next for Sergey Kovalev?

[DrDuke]

There are some signs of the possible end of the great Kovalev's career. He was very impressive and has accomplished a lot, probably in many eyes he was an undisputed champion of the division. But now he is 35 and he has just lost for the third time and the second by a KO in the pretty troublesome fight against a top boxer, but still a solid underdog. Is it time to retire? Or there can be some opportunities?

[ValMar]

There are some signs of the possible end of the great Kovalev's career. He was very impressive and has accomplished a lot, probably in many eyes he was an undisputed champion of the division. But now he is 35 and he has just lost for the third time and the second by a KO in the pretty troublesome fight against a top boxer, but still a solid underdog. Is it time to retire? Or there can be some opportunities?

He should move up at CW, face Lebedev in Russia, and get the very decent retirement pay-day (Lebedev, too).

[DrDuke]

He should move up at CW, face Lebedev in Russia, and get the very decent retirement pay-day (Lebedev, too).

Maybe it can be a good option, though Lebedev is probably much bigger now and he will be significantly bigger in the fight. But he is also aging, so the idea can be good. However, it sounds kinda awkward. Perhaps more real will be a bout against Stevenson, who is also old and declining. That fight has some history in addition to everything else.

Anyway a veteran vs veteran followed by the retirement is most likely the best option for Kovalev. Sergey has shown some vulnerabilities recently, but he's not in the age to improve. His speed and reflexes aren't there anymore.

As a big fan of Kovalev I won't chose to see him being destroyed by younger and fresher competitors, so I'd stick to what I've said.

[Enlightened-One]

Kathy Duva claims that there's a rematch clause in the contract for Kovalev-Alvarez.

[ValMar]

He should move up at CW, face Lebedev in Russia, and get the very decent retirement pay-day (Lebedev, too).

Maybe it can be a good option, though Lebedev is probably much bigger now and he will be significantly bigger in the fight. But he is also aging, so the idea can be good. However, it sounds kinda awkward. Perhaps more real will be a bout against Stevenson, who is also old and declining. That fight has some history in addition to everything else.

Anyway a veteran vs veteran followed by the retirement is most likely the best option for Kovalev. Sergey has shown some vulnerabilities recently, but he's not in the age to improve. His speed and reflexes aren't there anymore.

As a big fan of Kovalev I won't chose to see him being destroyed by younger and fresher competitors, so I'd stick to what I've said.

He is finished as the top level fighter, certainly, so he has to think about the money, not about the titles.
I can not see the better solution than Lebedev, both of them are Russians, and passed their respective primes, but still they have the names, and can attract the attention of boxing fans (and take the money, of course).

[DrDuke]

He is finished as the top level fighter, certainly, so he has to think about the money, not about the titles.
I can not see the better solution than Lebedev, both of them are Russians, and passed their respective primes, but still they have the names, and can attract the attention of boxing fans (and take the money, of course).

If Stevenson somehow remains with the belt, the fight against him will be better probably.

[Enlightened-One]

Kovalev engages in a rematch against Alvarez, suffers another defeat and this will lead to Main Events and HBO cutting ties with him.

Sergey probably opts to continue his career and will be used as a stepping stone for young prospects.

[DrDuke]

Kovalev engages in a rematch against Alvarez, suffers another defeat and this will lead to Main Events and HBO cutting ties with him.

Sergey probably opts to continue his career and will be used as a stepping stone for young prospects.

He made a short video for the fans, while he apparently was in the hospital, and he said there, that he'll think about the retirement as a one of options.

[Enlightened-One]

Kovalev engages in a rematch against Alvarez, suffers another defeat and this will lead to Main Events and HBO cutting ties with him.

Sergey probably opts to continue his career and will be used as a stepping stone for young prospects.

He made a short video for the fans, while he apparently was in the hospital, and he said there, that he'll think about the retirement as a one of options.

Any fighter that suffers a brutal loss will inevitably consider retirement. However, Kathy Duva is claiming that Sergey has a rematch clause in the Alvarez contract.

[SenorPipino]

If he continues, he would be wise to pursue that elusive fight with Stevenson, who also appeared used up in his last fight with Jack.

It's winnable.

Kovalev is 35, probably lost quite a bit of confidence in being punctured by Ward, and can only continue to slip.

Taking on Alvarez again or daring to challenge Bivol, only figures to lead to another KO loss.

I don't see what a move to cruiser would accomplish. He would only lose whatever power advantage he might still possess at light heavy.

Realistically, Kovalev is at the point where he'll just be spinning his wheels by continuing in his career.

But it usually takes several pounding before aging fighters they finally get the message.

Kovalev has lost 3 of his last 5, and 2 by KO.

That should be message enough.

[klitoris]

He was winning the Alvarez fight before getting hit by that punch. See no reason why he wouldn't want to rematch him if he still wants to fight. If he beats Alvarez in the rematch, then retire. I think winning a rematch would do a lot for his legacy overall.

[Loki]

Kovalev was never a durable fighter, he has been rocked before and stopped.

I’d say he should retire or have one last fight to cash out; against who I don’t know.

[Grand_Cru54]

I would be surprised it there was a revenge. If it had been to the judgecards, probably he would have asked for a rematch, but with a KO like this, I don't think they will meet again

[Sequitorian]

Dancing with the Stars ...

[Boxerbeetle]

Still holding out hope that he has enough in the tank to fvck up Stevenson, if Adonis ever gets the balls to fight.

[jujigatame]

He's 35 years old so retirement has to be a consideration, but I'd still like to see Kovalev/Gvozdyk.

I do not want to see an immediate rematch and I hope Duva does not force it.

[Thomastearns]

One guy was boxing behind a defence the other didn't think he needed to and kept his hands down.

Guess which one won?

Kovalev's reflexes were useless against the speed of Alvarez's counters. So often he just didn't appear to see them, he kept walking onto them hence the shock of impact was even greater. Time after time until the inevitable inevitably happened. The days of him fighting like the Krusher are over for sure.

He could easily do much better in a rematch by just keeping his hands up next time but maybe a cash in fight against Lebedev (or Stevenson who might just finally fancy it now) is best if he has lost his mojo for good.

[Enlightened-One]

One guy was boxing behind a defence the other didn't think he needed to and kept his hands down.

Guess which one won?

Kovalev's reflexes were useless against the speed of Alvarez's counters. So often he just didn't appear to see them, he kept walking onto them hence the shock of impact was even greater. Time after time until the inevitable inevitably happened. The days of him fighting like the Krusher are over for sure.

He could easily do much better in a rematch by just keeping his hands up next time but maybe a cash in fight against Lebedev (or Stevenson who might just finally fancy it now) is best if he has lost his mojo for good.

Kovalev has an exclusive contract with HBO, which seriously restricts his opportunity.

The Stevenson fight won't happen now, because there's not enough financial motivation for Showtime and HBO to work together.

[Redback Rasta]

It appears to me as though Kovalev's punch resistance is starting to desert him. There was a jab earlier in the fight that had Kovalev's eyes roll back into his head. It just about dropped him.

I have heard a number of fighters say that punches didn't really hurt them during their fights, and then later in their career all of a sudden they do start to hurt. Jeff Fenech was one I heard say that. I think he was referring to post the Nelson fight in Vegas. He said that all of a sudden it hurt every time he got hit. Whereas previously it hadn't. I think Kovalev may have just reached that point himself.

[Blodhemn]

Probably retire. Mentally just seems all over the place - always making excuses. Too much of a loner and has developed bad habits and laziness. Needs a trainer to drill him but he seems too hard headed for that. I think he's done.

Personally, if he went back to his blitz style of going for the KO from rounds 1-4 he'd still beat many by KO but his style has developed into a slow paced, low activity one. I'm sure he knows he doesn't have the stamina for 12 hard rounds, and that's just not going to cut it vs the elite. Retire.

[Evander]

Exercise his right to an immediate rematch.

[NateJR]

Kovalev will continue to be stopped when he fights other championship caliber opposition. He's a beaten fighter Mentally and physically. All his opponents will do is fight to survive the early storm, wait for Kovalev to fatigue and more than likely will be rewarded with a mid to late round KO/TKO of Kovalev. Kovalev has never been the most durable and his stamina has continued to be on the decline, it's a up hill battle from here for Kovalev.

With that being said he was a very good champion and had a pretty good career. But I think his days as Champion are over, too many younger, fresher and more hungry fighters on the horizon. There would be no shame in retirement at this point.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Alvarez stops Kovalev, the rumours that surround Kovalev’s alcohol consumption looking more fact than fiction now. #KovalevAlvarez pic.twitter.com/1MpaWuKKVp

— Frank Buglioni (@FrankBuglioni) August 5, 2018

[Sequitorian]

In a few years he'll be all but forgotten ...

... (nothing Marvelous about him) ... ...

[gilgamesh]

I'd be wanting to get a rematch with Alvarez if I were him, but they might not be able to pull it off.