Unification Time at the Light Heavyweight division
Posted: 03 Feb 2019, 06:06
There has already been the talk about possible Kovalev vs Bivol bout prior to their double-header, when Kovalev fought Alvarez for the first time and Bivol fought Chilemba. But all the plans were ruined with an upset win of Alvarez. Now Kovalev is back to the WBO throne with the convincing revenge over Alvarez. Bivol is to fight Smith Jr next month.
Actually the potential Kovalev-Bivol matchup is more real now. However, even if Bivol lose (which won't be something very extraordinary, as Smith Jr proved to be a tough fella), Kovalev-Smith Jr matchup sounds good too. And also likely to happen, cause both Kovalev and Smith always seemed ready to fight anybody.
Gvozdyk is now a WBC champ, which is also good. Cause Stevenson was well-protected and Gvozdyk probably won't have the same careful managment. On the other hand, he trained with Kovalev and they weren't very eager to face each other in the ring. Even now, after winning Alvarez, Kovalev said, he would fight anybody, but mentioned only Bivol and Beterbiev.
Although in the whole situation only Beterbiev really looks like a competitor, who won't be much willing for unifications. He hasn't fought anybody highly ranked yet. He had a talk about Smith Jr bout, but his side withdrew. But the other three are more likely to accept tough fights including unification bouts. I guess, even Kovalev and Gvozdyk will agree to fight each other at some point. Kovalev is in need of unification bouts more, than anybody, cause he is the oldest of the champions, his time is more limited.
What do you think about this situation? What bouts are likely to happen soon? What would you like to see first? Who has more chances to win and unify?
Actually the potential Kovalev-Bivol matchup is more real now. However, even if Bivol lose (which won't be something very extraordinary, as Smith Jr proved to be a tough fella), Kovalev-Smith Jr matchup sounds good too. And also likely to happen, cause both Kovalev and Smith always seemed ready to fight anybody.
Gvozdyk is now a WBC champ, which is also good. Cause Stevenson was well-protected and Gvozdyk probably won't have the same careful managment. On the other hand, he trained with Kovalev and they weren't very eager to face each other in the ring. Even now, after winning Alvarez, Kovalev said, he would fight anybody, but mentioned only Bivol and Beterbiev.
Although in the whole situation only Beterbiev really looks like a competitor, who won't be much willing for unifications. He hasn't fought anybody highly ranked yet. He had a talk about Smith Jr bout, but his side withdrew. But the other three are more likely to accept tough fights including unification bouts. I guess, even Kovalev and Gvozdyk will agree to fight each other at some point. Kovalev is in need of unification bouts more, than anybody, cause he is the oldest of the champions, his time is more limited.
What do you think about this situation? What bouts are likely to happen soon? What would you like to see first? Who has more chances to win and unify?