BoxRec

Kovalev looked impressive in the clearcut win in his rematch with Alvarez. He clearly has been helped by new trainer Buddy McGirt (recently inducted into International Hall of Fame).

Which fellow light heavy is likely to be the next guy to beat Kovalev, either soon or down the road?

its a very competitive division, kov could beat anyone yet also lose to guys like gvo,bivol, browne, ....

not fanlon meng though!

I would favor Bivol but not by much youth vs experience...I favor Kovalev over all others in the division..

Kovalev hits like a truck and at his best he boxes beautifully. He is a bit vulnerable though. I can see why a guy like Alvarez got to him, a solid chin guy who keeps coming and hits hard. Kovalev won't fight him again.

Gvozdyk has the most chances. But for the moment I won't pick anybody over Kovalev. Yet I'm not sure, that Kovalev won't ever lose, cause he probably won't be able to leave in time, his competetive spirit is too strong, he fights in the rematches immediately after losses. Looks like, the guy just won't stop by himself, unless the age comes for him and some other guy uses it.

Gvozdyk, Bivol probably beat him. Kovalev isn't a monster again simply because he won Saturday.

He still has lost 3 out of 6, 2 by KO. More likely that he's still on the decline, not getting better.

Beterbiev appears to have peaked. Only has a puncher's chance against Kovalev.

tbf no one around atm is as good as ward

At this point, I fancy Beterbiev over everyone at LHW.

why? hes so crude and open and hardly seems made of iron

I think Bivol has more chance than Gvozdyk. Bivol has the speed, decent power, and skills to do that. Size is the main advantage of Kov against him though. He's small for 175 tbh.

Kov might be content to just box at this stage of his career and not take risks like he would previously. I think he's realized he can't outgun guys at this level anymore. I still don't rate him against a guy who can either take his shot and outgun him (like a Beterbiev), or a cagey guy who can get inside and break him down (like a Ward). He has no inside game, and his body isn't built to absorb big shots.

not sure bert can take his shot

jamamb wrote: ↑06 Feb 2019, 10:46 not sure bert can take his shot

Kova definitely can't take Bert's shot plus Bert is a great inside fighter while Kova sucks at that.

Voted for yarde cause I like the guy and have met him a few times so I’m just being nice and putting his name out there as I feel it’s all gone a bit stale regarding his career lately (talking as an intrigued boxing fan) but I’ve got a feeling this fight will happen pretty soon. I hope so anyway.

I think yarde buatsi has to happen, I like them both but I think Bautsi looks sharp as fornicate and could be be the future of the division.

Was saying the same about yarde a year or two ago but the nonsense with British fighters not fighting each other does my head in and yarde fighting the guys he’s fighting at his skill level ain’t acceptable! Fight the fights the fans want to see, either buatsi, buglioni( before he called a day on his brilliant career, this fight should’ve happened)
Hosea burton or fight for European or world honours if you don’t wanna mix it at domestic level.

God bless you all!

jamamb wrote: ↑05 Feb 2019, 13:38 tbf no one around atm is as good as ward

I really wish Ward hadn't retired.

Fair play to him, he went out on top and on his own terms, but I can't help but think he went too early.

He hadn't shown any signs of decline and he's younger than Kovalev too.