Kovalev vs. Pascal II Preview

Sergey Kovalev currently rules the roost in the light heavyweight division and is one of boxing’s most feared pugilists. For one of the weight class’s hardest punchers, there’s smoothness to his work. He doesn’t load up with his shots; instead, his punches are released with fluidity in twos, threes and fours. He keeps himself balanced, poised and controls the distance well. He’s a smart fighter too- perhaps the most technically proficient 175-pounder bar Andre Ward. For much of his career, Kovalev fought for little reward away from the attention of the mainstream broadcasters. Now, however, thanks to his fan-pleasing style and promoter Kathy Duva, he’s risen from relative obscurity to become one of HBO’s biggest stars.

Tomorrow night he puts his 28 fight unbeaten record on the line against the awkward and strong Jean Pascal. Pascal now lives in Canada but heralds from Haiti, and has been in with some of the division’s finest, including Kovalev. Their first fight proved highly entertaining; a great stylistic matchup and well worthy of a second run. For the most part, Kovalev dominated the bout, landing the most hurtful punches and sending Pascal to the canvas for the first time in his professional career. But there were moments in the fight where the momentum swung. Pascal had the Russian visibly wobbled in places before the fight ended in the 8th with the referee stopping the contest.

So should fans expect the rematch to deliver a different result? Both fighters have weighed and are in fantastic shape, as we’d expect. Pascal has made the most noticeable changes to his camp, bringing in hall-of-fame trainer Freddie Roach. Quite what Roach can add to Pascal’s performance with just this training camp for the two to gel is uncertain. Roach has a wealth of experience and is a great tactician. But even if he can refine Pascal’s style, tighten up his punches a bit, and bring a bit more boxing to his game, is that going to be enough to trouble Kovalev. If Pascal’s game plan is to outbox Kovalev, I don’t see it working. To my eye, the better boxing skills lie with the Russian. It’s hard to get past Kovalev’s jab for one. He uses it as a weapon, directing it to head and body. Once he’s softened you up with the jab, he brings in behind it brutal straight rights and hooks. Will Roach be able to bring some refinement to Pascal’s game, and even if he can, how much will that benefit him. Much of Pascal’s success in their first meeting came from slipping inside and under Kovalev’s shots, launching his big bombs around the side of Kovalev’s guard. He did have some success with the straight right counter too. Injecting a bit more method to Pascal’s attacks would stand to reason. Coming in behind a jab would surely help. And keeping on the front foot too, I see as key. When Kovalev is backing you up, you’re in trouble. I believe Pascal needs to pressure Kovalev, make use of the jab more and bring in his power shots behind it. If he can unsettle Kovalev’s rhythm and make it uncomfortable in there for him, he could have some success. He has the power to hurt Kovalev. I can see Roach bringing improvements to Pascal; whether those improvements will bring a greater degree of competitiveness rather than a change in result is unsure. Pascal will no doubt have moments in the fight, and Roach’s work may be enough to stop it ending in a knockout. Ultimately, though, I see this as Kovalev’s night.

Kovalev defeats Hopkins

Last night Sergey Kovalev proved he is the man to beat in the light heavyweight division by dominating a defiant but overmatched Bernard Hopkins.

From the start, Kovalev showed why he was the bookmaker’s favourite by flooring his older opponent with an overhand right. Kovalev looked the bully throughout, forcing his older opponent to use constantly his legs to avoid his heavy punches. We’ve seen Hopkins fight this way before. However, Kovalev never presented openings for Hopkins to capitalise on. Hopkins seemed wary of throwing his trademark lead right hands, and the few times he did let his hands go he never really troubled his opponent.

Hopkins wasn’t able to outwit his opponent either. Kovalev’s offence remained controlled throughout; displaying his brains and brawn in front of a sold out Atlantic City crowd. When Hopkins did rally he had the crowd on their feet, but his success was short-lived as Kovalev came back with his own more hurtful shots. Ultimately Hopkins was unable to assert himself at any point during the fight, coming up short against a bigger, stronger and better man on the night.

Kovalev’s dominant victory proved he’s the real article. How he advances from here is unclear; is anyone going to want a piece of the 31-year-old following that performance? And what about Hopkins? Should Hopkins decide to draw the curtains on his fantastic career, then he leaves with his pride, fully intact. Yes, he was hurt, but in withstanding the onslaught of Kovalev and a climactic 12^th round reinforced his legendary status. A new star has arrived in the light-heavyweight division.

Hopkins-Kovalev Preview

 A blockbuster November kicks off tonight from Atlantic City, USA when Bernard ‘The Alien’ Hopkins takes on the undefeated Sergey ‘Krusher’ Kovalev.

Hopkins’s story is fascinating. He earned his tough-guy reputation on the mean streets of Philadelphia, but one too many brushes with the law were to land him in the state penitentiary facing a lengthy sentence. Inside jail Hopkins developed the discipline that has allowed him to dominate fighters in their mid-twenties. Few fighters eat, sleep and breathe the game like he does. He is in no doubt a different breed to most. Alien, perhaps not.

But longevity is just one of the remarkable things about Bernard Hopkins. His professional career spans 26 years and 65 fights and is sprinkled with victories over future Hall of Famers. De Le Hoya, Trinidad, Tarver; the list goes on. Hopkins’s experience, style and mental toughness make him elite in one of the world’s toughest professions. But the threat posed by Sergey Kovalev is deemed to be very real.

Kovalev brings to the table 26 victories (23 coming inside the distance). He’s operated under the radar for most of his career, but the way he’s steamrolled through the division has made him one of the most avoided and feared fighters in the sport. The way he tore through undefeated Welshman Nathan Cleverly sent a clear message to everyone in the light-heavyweight division. Much is made of Kovalev’s power, but his boxing brain and timing are underrated. Come tonight, Hopkins will need all the ring smarts he knows to keep the relenting Kovalev at bay.

It’s an intriguing matchup; one in which age doesn’t play a big factor. Hopkins has looked fired up and is utterly convinced of his ability to win this fight. Why else would he take it? He’s far too smart to take a fight he thought he couldn’t win. I don’t believe it’s the money either; this is for his legacy. A victory over the younger, harder hitting Russian would put another layer of polish to his career. So what are Kovalev’s chances? He’s the bookies favourite; I also believe he has the tools to get the job done. Much is made of Kovalev’s power, but he’s not reckless either. What is unknown is how he will react if he can’t get to Hopkins. What happens when the older man makes him miss and stings him with counters?

Hopkins can take the life out of fights. I believe this fight will be one for the purists. I predict we see a smart, mobile and aggressive counter-punching Hopkins surprising Kovalev. Though Kovalev will have his moments, I can’t see him putting Hopkins into retirement. Hopkins to pull off a career defining victory and unify the division.