Canelo KOs Kovalev in eleven

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside
Photos: Tom Hogan-Hoganphotos/Golden Boy

WBC franchise and WBA middleweight/super middleweight world champion Canelo Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) became a four-division world champion by knocking out WBO light heavyweight world champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 KOs) on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Canelokovalev Hoganphotos3
After a rather technical fight, a left hook by Canelo in the eleventh staggered Kovalev and Alvarez followed up with a crushing right that made Kovalev go limp as he fell into the ropes forcing referee Russel Mora to immediately wave it off at 2:15.

As expected the taller Kovalev jabbed from the start as Canelo slipped the jab and pawed then closed the opening round landing a hard left hook followed by a left hook to the body. The second round saw Canelo dig downstairs as Kovalev pumped the jab and fought from a distance.

Canelo started round three connecting with an overhand right as Kovalev kept using the jab, Alvarez countered with a solid left hook but the Russian continued to work. Alvarez began the fourth landing solidly and stalked the jabbing Kovalev although Canelo was cautious in the process.

The fifth round saw Canelo tag Kovalev with the left hook to the body off a counter but Kovalev’s reach continued to be key for the Russian. At the halfway point in the sixth, Kovalev’s jab continued to be the choice as Canelo stalked throughout the round and went to the body. Past the halfway mark in the seventh round, the champ continued to work the jab as Canelo landed a short right hand inside getting Kovalev’s attention. The Mexican superstar appeared to be frustrated in the eighth as Canelo swung wildly and missed, Kovalev’s jab was the key.

Canelo continued to swing and miss with wild punches in the ninth as Kovalev’s jab was consistent. Late in the fight in the tenth round, Canelo landed an overhand right as Kovalev pity patted his punches. The Mexican closed the round strong landing a solid right and body shots.

Canelo’s patient game plan paid off in the eleventh round when he finally got to Kovalev and brutally knocked him out.

At the time of the stoppage, scores were 96-94 2x for Canelo, 95-95.


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    • What set up the KO was not Canelo. It was Kovalev’s aging 36 year old body declining after round 7. Not sure this would have happened if Kovalev was younger in the same era when he fought Hopkins. I had Kovalev winning by simply being busier with the jabs, but when he started moving that head less, holding more often, and “pitty patting” his punches, I knew the age factor was setting in. As mentioned prior to the fight, Kovalev’s battered mileage on his body was the key for Canelo to set up the victory in the fight. I am sure Oscar was glad they cherry-picked Kovalev over a younger more-active contender in the LH division. Canelo still needs to improve on stepping in with the jab instead of reaching “for the hills” with it and getting slightly flat-footed when he throws it.

      • Hopkins was like 45 when he fought kovalev and Floyd was 36 when he spanked Canelo. No excuses! If you get in the ring. It is what it is. Don’t make excuses for Kov unless you’re going to make excuses for everyone. What about how old Rigo was when he fought Loma?

        • Noracists, facts are facts. Last I checked, 45 and 36 are “past your prime” for boxing. No excuses, simply facts. Facts can be supported via observations.

      • That was 5 years ago, so it’s still the same “era” what are you talking about!?

    • Agreed man. Most that will still hate on this fight don’t know how hard it is to close the distance on a bigger fighter. He did it perfectly. I felt Kovalev was slightly ahead but needed 2/3 of those last rounds by landing some big rights. He knew it too. That made him wide open. What an impressive win. Canelo should be considered P4P #1 after this. Holding belts across 15lbs is amazing. I don’t see him at 160 anymore. He should settle in at 168 for a while. Canelo showed why he’s the best draw in boxing.

      • Yeah, Canelo will really settle in at 168. I see him fighting a fringe contender at 168 but no way he goes near Callum or Benavidez. He would also never in a million years fight Bivol or Beterbiev. This was a fixed fight and only simple-minded people can’t see it. Canelo is not even top five p4p. He’s not even the pound for pound best fighter in Mexico. Estrada is.

        • Lol. If it was fixed Kovalev wouldn’t have started to come on string on the cards late per every judge. Great win for Canelo. P4P number 1. Your wrong Chris.

          • I agree with you Anthony that it was not fixed. I disagree that is was a great win. He just, once again, added another belt from the least dangerous opponent that held a title. Canelo is a high quality fighter, I just wish he would choose opponents that would prove his greatness not hint at it!

          • Agree! Kovalev was the least dangerous of the 4 Russian Champions. I don’t think Canelo would ever call out Beterbiew or Bivol.

        • Chris, it was not fixed, it was just a very uncharacteristic performance from Kovalev. He was tapping with his jab and backing up all night long. I don’t think he was even 50% of his former self. I believe he is done!

      • Yeah, it was just a very uncharacteristic performance from Kovalev. He was tapping with his jab and backing up all night long. I don’t think he was even 50% of his former self. I am glad he finally got a payday. I hope he retires with his health.

  • Ok I’m gonna admit Canelo looked good and he destroyed Kovalev in the 11th! Wow! Talk about a vicious and brutal knockout! Congrats Canelo!!!

    • Not on the judge’s cards or mine,I had Canelo slightly ahead. I do like Sergy and he seems to has mellowed and maybe has lost that edge, please call it a day dude.

  • HATERS… what do you have to say now? what is your excuse? yes, you Juan Valdez and the rest of them. hahahahahaha.

      • AZ he’s not going to. They made it clear the would move up or down but not stay.

        • I think they realize at 5″9 canelo would have a hardtime beating any of the other top lhw’s. This was just to make history which he did now he can go back down. Very similar to Roy Jones jr moving up to hw to fight Ruiz.

      • He would never fight him or Bivol. Either one would beat him. Bivol with his size, superior defense and pure boxing ability would wear him down. Beterbiev would steamroll him. The guy hits like a mule.

    • Kovalev’s age, high mileage body, and exhaustion set up that KO. As mentioned prior to the fight, Kovalev was selected since Oscar knew he was on the down hill in things. Kovalev wore himself out simply boxing setting up the counters that KO’d him. Not sure Oscar would have selected Kovalev had he been the same age as Canelo in this division.

    • Lets be honest here. Canelo is a good fighter. The reason Canelo NEVER gets credit even in Mexico is for these reasons:

      1. Canelo has NEVER fought a fighter who meets the following conditions- someone who is the best of the division (like in this case), in his prime (like in this case) and was at his natural weight (like in this case where Kovalev had a weight limit clause).

      2. Canelo has lost several fights, but the corrupted judges had saved him giving a draw. Canelo clearly lost to Lara and GGG (1st fight).

      Boxing is dead! Boxing today is just a business that bamboozles casual boxing fans for their hard earned money. Real boxer fans that know the game would never pay to watch this false of a fight. If Canelo wanted to be GREAT…..why he fought the weakes champion at 168 and 175? Specially when Kovalev just fought a hard fight a mere 10 weeks ago? Let that sink in…for a second…or 2.

      • You are either stupid or blind. He fought Floyd Mayweather when NO ONE ELSE WANTED TO. He fought Mayweather, one of the greatest boxers of this generation. He lost but he didn’t get knocked out or shout out. Why don’t you watch boxing instead of going on here and talking shit you know nothing about.

        • But Floyd is naturally much smaller and I suspect that the much older Mayweather would decline against a younger And much stronger Canelo. Ended up getting boxed to death.

          • My point was, when they fought, Mayweather was considered pound for pound the best fighter in the world and that was when Canelo was still young and at a much lower weight. Rod said Canelo has never fought anybody in there prime and he avoids fighters. I am saying he fought Mayweather when no one else wanted to.

          • — Sorry JP, but your responding to a toddler mindset stewing on their BigBoys.
            Kov #1 boxrec, #2 Ring beyond their capacity.Canelo more than double the ring rounds of Kov. Toddlers don’t do math!

        • He was shut out. I don’t think Canelo won a round against Floyd. Judges are bribed

        • Everyone wanted to fight Floyd are kidding! He was the dream fight for anyone. Get to fight a legend and make at least 4 times what you normally make and worst case scenario you leave with an L but barely look like you were in a fight.

          • I was wrong on that account to say that nobody wanted to fight him. People wanted to make money. The ones that didn’t want to fight were the ones that didn’t want to risk an ‘L’ on their record. Canelo fought him. Yes he lost but and he didn’t make record amount of money. My point is that Canelo has fought someone in their prime and who was the best in the world.

          • JP and now canelo does the same thing. Fights only those whom he knows he can beat. Floyd fought him because he know he was still green. And to saul’s credit he took the chance to try and beat him.

          • — Nelo made huge money vs Floydy with record shattering PPVs.

            Tens of millions and now the the $$$ man in boxing. When backdated TUE was 23 he was making peanuts fighting goobers…

        • No one else wanted to fight Mayweather (for a huge payday, win or lose)? Are you really THAT dumb?

      • There is still the olympics. 8 months!!! Professional boxing is GARBAGE. I have been watching for 20 years. Its TERRIBLE and nothing more to say.

      • I’m not a fan but he said he wanted to be a 4 division champ and Kovalev had a belt. While the weakest of the present champs at light heavyweight he’s the most accomplished and notable. The rehydration clause seemed to weaken Kovalev. Kind of reminds me if how Pacquiao destroyed a weak dehydrated past peak Delahoya

        • You can’t always fight everyone in the divsion. ESPN has the rights for Beterbiev. Bivol I think is one showtime. You are handicapped by promoters and networks. There is a reason we have over 4 title holders in each division and they rarely fight each other. If you are going to blame anyone on these match, blame the networks. If Beterbiev fought Caneleo, who’s network would show the fight? DAZN paid a shit ton to Canelo to have him fight on the network. They won’t let ESPN show that fight.

          • JP, yup. Similar to MMA. You’re signed with one promotion and cannot fight with fighters from other. In boxing the tv networks are the promotion.

        • — PAC the emergency replacement after Floydy ducked out on Oscar in the middle of promotions of their rematch. PAC fought under the same conditions as that fight and made the same $$$ that backdated TUE ducked.

          Only difference is Oscar still wanted the Floydy rematch but wouldn’t touch Manny again for all the tea in China…

      • Rod, so there was a weight limit clause? That’s The BS that I thought was going to happen.

    • Oh come on. Do you really think Kovalev was the best light heavyweight in the world? He was crushed before a couple of times, barely won with an up and coming guy in his last fight….. If Canelo wants to prove himself, then go against Beterbiev or Bivol.

    • Not hating anyone here. I believe Canelo is a good boxer-puncher but if he wants to prove his greatness, the Mexican should challenge either Bivol or Beterbiev.

  • Damn. I thought Canelo was a bit overrated but now IDK. That combination was brutal.

    • Don’t be impressed by that brutal combination. Kovalev’s physical abilities have deteriorated, in other words, he is in the “twilight” of his career.

  • He got LUCKY against and older, diminished Kobalev in a fight he was loosing.

    Beterbiev DESERVES a fight against Canelo!

    • you’re butt hurt Juanito. btw its not loosing, its losing.
      aprende a escribir.

        • That makes it even worse. An american that CAN’T even spell. hahahahah… now that’s a shame.

          • Sanchez, please be courteous! We all make mistakes in life! Last I checked, we are not being paid or graded (as in school) posting on here. Technically, Sanchez, your post says “american” and that is a proper noun. It should be American. Just sayin’…….

    • Lucky? Wow, maybe turn off the cartoon network and watch the fight. All Kovalev did was jab the WHOLE fight. Punch stats show that Canelo landed more punches and harder punches. You can’t win a fight with just a jab unless you are Ali but he at least had a right hand. All Kovalev hand was a weak jab and he held it out like he was Kilitchsko. That is illegal. This isn’t the amateurs. The harder and more effective punch scores more than a jab. Kovalev was losing the fight at the time of the stoppage. Canelo could have knocked him out earlier put showed too much respect. Kovalev should retired but at least give Canelo credit for the knockout. He deserved the win.

  • Very respectful,tactical fight by both guys.I had Kovalev ahead on the cards by 5 or 6 rounds at that stage but a very patient Canelo finally caught up with him.
    Respect to both fighters

    • I had Kob up but not by 5 or 6 rounds. Forgot what I had exactly but Kov was winning… and then he lost.

      • Well,even if i’m being generous over the closer rounds and it was more like 3/4 rnds up,I don’t see how the judges has Canelo ahead.
        Kovalev was the busier man all night and even if not all were landing it still beats, in my mind, just walking in with your gloves up high and putting pressure on.
        Still it’s all by the by now anyway after that finish but in this day and age I think it’s a shame that scorecard shenaningans still exist

        • Punch stats show that Canelo landed more. Just because someone throws more does not mean they are landing anything. I had Canelo up by one. If you look at how fights are supposed to scored, the harder more cleaner punches are worth more. All Kovalev did was jab. Look at the percentage of what he threw and you will see that he mostly threw jabs. You can’t win a fight like that. The other factor in the close rounds was that Canelo was moving forward and initiating the action. What Kovalev was keeping him at bay with his jab. Sometimes in illegal when he just held it out. He was warned several times early in the fight for that and should have been penalized. They rarely penalize that infraction but it is illegal. Kovalev percentage landed was FAR less than Canelo. Canelo’s body punches hurt Kovalev. At no point in the fight was Canelo ever hurt. The more damage was being inflicted by Canelo. He won the fight and was winning the fight.

  • Ok give him credit. Now Bivol or Beterbiev. Two in their prime. Not a washed out fighter who 4 years ago would of destroyed him. Fck. Golovkin at what 36 37. Fight the other guys in their prime you fcks.

      • Bivol floats between 168-175. They can fight at a catch weight. Same for Beterbiev but there’s a reason Beterbiev has only 14 fights(14-0 14 KOs)…no one wants to fight that beast. He hits like a freight train.

  • Kovalev did box well, but was too cautious and wasn’t going for the power right hand. Good defense and patience by Canelo, brutal knockout! Great champ Canelo! Happy retirement Kovy, great champ too.

    • Great champ Canelo?

      He’s spent his career AVOIDING the best in his divisions!

      He fights the weakest, oldest “champions” and expects respect?

      • Oh Juan.. ur soooo full of hate my dude. Let it go.. or go fight Canelo, maybe when he knocks ur ass clean out, u cld give him even jus a lil respect

      • Juan Valdez, I have to agree with you on that one. He’s pulling a mayweather since losing to mayweather.

        • I’m sure Oscar has lots to do with it but the boxer can also demand fight. Julio César Chávez said it himself on the tv show that he does. He demanded certain fights from his promoter in his career and any top fighter can demand a fight with another top fighter. And I don’t see Saul complaining.

  • That was BS
    .. I think it was paid off!!!! 100% the hard punch did NOTHING.. but the glancing blows knocked him cold!? He just KOd anthony yarde yet(JUST LIKE GOLOVKIN)THREW NO HARD PUNCHES.. AT ALL!!!!… PLEASE WAKE UP PPL!!!

    • You might want to ask Kovalev if the right hand glancing blow. If it was Kovalev us a damn good actor.

      • No, Kovalev did take a really hard shot, but he actually ‘took’ the shot is what i’m saying. $10 million bro. It’s a lot of money and Kovalev wasn’t set for life before tonight, but now he is. Get it?

    • Caligula…if u think that was a glancing punch, your an idiot and uve obviously never have boxed. And then u say paid off?? Im a Kov fan douche bag, and Kov wldnt take a dive for anyone. Hes not a punk ass like you

      • “Punk ass” sparred with him in Sunrise Florida when he lived in Hollywood, Florida and trained with JD Jackson.. Thats what “Punk was” did. ; )

    • I completely agree. Kovalev touched gloves like it was a sparring session, didn’t sit down on any right hands and didn’t throw one uppercut i.e. he didn’t throw any punches that could have done real damage and detailed the plan. Very suspect.

    • Did they show the scorecard? Cause I had Kovalev winning for sure. Canelo won perhaps two rounds before the 11.

      • Ok just saw the official score. Horrible jeez! I won’t blame Canelo, he’s just the boxer, but Golden Boy smells real bad…

  • GOLOVKIN THREW HARD FIRST FIGHT.. THEN BACKED UP WHEN HE HURT CANELO… IN THE SECOND GOLOVKIN FIGHT… GOLOVKIN DID WHAT HE HAS NEVER DONE IN 300+ AM AND PRO FIGHTS.. BACKING UP THE ENTIRE FIGHT! KOVALEV KOD YARDE AND THREW ZERO HARD PUNCHES TONIGHT AND KEPT TRYING TO HUG. THEN THE HARD SHOT DID NOTHING CROM CANELO BUT GLANCING BLOWS PUT HIM TO SLEEP?!? ACTING AT ITS VERY FINEST!!

    • You must didn’t watch the fight. That last right hand was perfect. No acting there.

      • And that left hook that shook Kovy, put him off balance to being open for that perfect right hand to the jaw. Oufff that was a mean shot!

    • He was tired bruh.. that’s what draining a fighter does. Plus his “instructions” were to basically jab the whole fight and not hurt canelo. I hinted on the fact that this might happen because even though I like buddy as a trainer.. I didn’t trust it. I knew he wasn’t going to give him any useful instructions

  • Ain’t happening. Fight Golovkin already past mid 30s both fights. Fight a washed up Kovalev damaged goods. Fight Beterbiev. Oh i chose Kovalev because hes the best in the division. BS!!!!!!!!! You gullible fcks buy into this BS!!!!! Now hide and jump down 2 divisions right Oscar?

    • Delahoya is the absolute scum of boxing not only for his moral ineptness and seedy character, but refusing to put a fighter in his prime with the cream of the crop in their prime. Biggest example of a built up fraud. Bad era in those divisions. Hearns and Hagler would od destroyed him. Dwight Qwawi. Monzon. Isnt his fault though.

    • Why are you so mad? Are you jealous of Canelo? Calm down buddy. It’s will be alright.

  • Well, now we know why Conelo was a 4-1 favorite. This was like watching a mafia fight in the 40’s, LOL. Kovalev was having his way keeping Conelo at bay with 50% of his power and never even attempted to throw a mean intentioned punch. Then, all of a sudden Kova makes some clumsy foot movement and gets iced? Hmmmm, these dumb casual ‘fans’ on here might think this fight was legit, but you cannot fool grown men who know this ‘sport’ from the inside like I do. $10
    million can buy anything. I really want Conelo to fight Beterbiev now, but i’m not as stupid as most on here to think it would actually happen.

  • Did kovalev ever hug yarde(or anyone else)like he wanted to intercourse him …all night? Why in the world would he keep hugging a small guy and throw ZERO HARD SHOTS?!?!? WAKE UP!!!

    • Because Kovalev has a suspect chin. He does not have fast hands. He is 36 years old. He has been knocked out twice in his last what 4 fights? He also has serious stamina issues. Only once in his career has he knocked someone out after the 8th round. He was being cautious to not over commit on punches because Canelo is one of the best counter punchers out there. Their strategy was to box to a victory but it did not work. His stamina and suspect chin came to life. Not a dive. Not some hollywood movie you fantasize in your head. This is what I suggest you do, ask Canelo if he would like to punch you in the head with a right hand and left hook. Keep your hands down like Kovalev and let see if it hurts you. I suspect you would be put to sleep but then again, you might be an internet tough guy.

  • Man a lot of butt hurt commentators because CANELO WON.! He just went two weight classes above his weight and knocked out a champion!

    • Avoiding Beterbiev, Bivol and Smith. Kovalev is so old that he did roadwork with Paavo Nurmi.

      Oscar and Clenbuterolo are real all-time greats!!

  • @MrCEO… You must didn’t go to English class. Stay asleep sheep. This sport has you by both stones. Stupid is expensive.. Unless you’re on the propaganda payroll

    • What the fuck your talking about. Are you jealous of that Mexican man? That’s what is sounds like.

    • “You must didn’t go to English class.”

      Read that again, slowly. Twice, please.

  • Most of these comments seem fake af. This was a setup wwe fight. Didn’t even make sense.. Kovalev is known for his power and he threw maybe three power punches. He was worried about his body because he was tired after the first round. Either that rehydration killed him or he just sold a loss on his record to them. Either way, this did not look like a fair fight at all. Drained tired fighter with no steam behind his punches vs a younger fighter who couldn’t get passed the jab until he somehow felt like it in the 11th round. Even the interview was awkward.. real fans know the truth.

  • Tony, we can do without the name calling. And you dont know how long I boxed.. But you run your face.. This is coming from a guy(meaning you Tony)that likely thinks wwe is real also.

      • MRCEO, You must got your eggs scrambled if you boxed.. Cause you talk like you must dont have all your chromosomes.

        • You’re the one that sounds ass hurt over a fight that doesn’t have shit to do for you. You sound like a real jealous prick. Guess you didn’t get your shot when you was boxing in the pee wee League.

      • Tony, I apologize.. I must have somehow made you feel like your opinion mattered to me.. So sorry.

  • Congrats to Canelo. Also good that they didn’t make it at catchweight so the LH win is authentic.
    I just wonder where he’ll go from here? Flittering between weights could be his downfall. Cruiser is surely too big. I’d like to see him fight Callum Smith at SM.

    • “Champ” could try his power against Beterbiev and Bivol. Except Oscar does not allow that. Maybe Arthur Abraham is next.

  • A good clean finish that was impressive so a good win even if this was a second tier Kovalev. Kov no longer the Krusher is still hard to beat. Plus Canelo hard and patience won the fight that Sergey was winning.

  • Kavalev looked pathetic. Canelo should have blown him out in the 3rd or 4th round. A boring fight!

    • It took Ward two fights to beat him and you can argue that Ward lost the first fight. Kovalev at his age is still dangerous. Canelo is at a different level now especially his defense.

  • MrCEO, IS THAT WHAT YOU TOOK AWAY FROM WHAT I SAID? THAT IDENTITY POLITICS CARD IN YOUR BACK POCKET MUST HAVE BEEN GETTIN HEAVY, HUH?

    • Caligula, It is what it is. Did you have some money on Kovalev? If not why the hell you so damn mad? Sound like you’re jealous? Keep it real.

      • Why am I mad? I dont like fixed fights; Sounds like you do though. Is that where we’re at here?

      • Only a fool would have had even a dollar on Kovalev. DAZN has 365 million dollars on Canelo. I don’t see the Mexican ever losing again to be honest, and I for one am not really interested in any of his fights and I wasn’t really interested in this one tonight because I knew the outcome. I don’t like watching fights where I already know 100% the outcome. Inoue vs Donaire is next week and may the best man win, because in that fight it will have to be the best man winning.

  • Oscar was right. Avoiding Beterbiev, Bivol and Callum Smith paid off. Kovalev is so done.

  • What a Crock of Shit!
    Never thought Kovalev would’ve taken a 13 million dollar pay off!!

  • This thing is funny, how Canelo was up on the cards is mind-boggling. Given it was a good right hand, but even before he hit the ground the ref. was calling it off. I remember a few months ago Fury flat out on his back and look like he died, but was allowed the time to recover and get up. The way the ref was over the Russian, he could not have gotten up even if he wanted to. There is something stink about this game.

    • He was out.. he went limp. The Fury move was dumb of that ref.. cld he, maybe…OR worse….he cld have gotten seriously hurt

      • He got up and won the rest of the round. Besides the knock down Fury would have won the round.

        • I agree. Im saying refs arent taking as many chances anymore due to recent deaths and hospitalizations. Their gonna stop it much faster than usual. Kovs stop was good. He was obviously extremely hurt. Holyfields son was premature.

    • It was a little different. Kovalev looked out as soon as he hit the rope. Fury, although laying out flat, looked a little more alive.

  • Canelo Puts 2nd Rehydration Clause on Sergey Kovalev Kovalev Can’t Weigh More 190 in The Ring!

  • I had the fight even going into the 11th. I think Kov was boxing beautifully in the second half of the fight, but you can hear Canelo’s trainer urging him to turn it up and he did. Again it was that ear punch that got Kov same one that got Joshua

    • What script? Canelo brutally knocked out Kovalev, he was out cold on the ropes. Haters gonna hate because Canelo beat Kovalev easier than Ward lol

  • Canelo Puts 2nd Rehydration Clause on Sergey Kovalev He Can’t Weigh More 190 in The Ring This is Fight is Fixed

  • Read my prediction of this fight and how it was going to play out. It went exactly as I envisioned.

  • Credit to Canelo, a great victory against an ageing Kovalev even if his best is now behind him. The scorecards were a joke mind. I think Kovalev was a couple of rounds up before that last round. Just shows you need to knock Canelo out if you fight him in Vegas. I hope Canelo drops back to 154, I doubt he has the power or reach (at 175) against the divisions bigger hungrier fighters.

  • I honestly can’t believe how some people still hate after that brutal ko! Let’s just up the anty and call a canelo vs Ruiz/Joshua fight. As long as neither of those guys are past they’re prime or some other bullshit.

    • Lets be honest. Canelo is a good boxer. The reason he gets flack is because he face opponents that either are not the best of the division(like in this case), past their prime(like in this case) or having weight stipulation ( like in this case where Kovalev had a 10 pound clause). To make matters worst: Canelo has the backing of corrupted judges. When Canelo lost to Lara it was a draw. When Canelo lost to GGG in the 1st fight it was also a draw. Therefore the criticism is well founded. Boxing is dead. It is just a business where the goal is to bamboozle the casual boxing fan. Sad state of affairs….

  • I believe Kovalev threw this fight. He wasn’t trying to win, was only throwing a jab, no hard ‘Krusher’ right hands. Braced himself on the way down. Canelo walking forward with his gloves covering his head without much of a care. Something was obviously off with this fight. Ref was warning Kov for no apparent reason but to remind him of the fix. Kov was controlling the fight with the jab but the announcers made it like Canello was pitching a shutout. Kovalev was winning this fight 7-3 with a JAB. Soon as he came out for the 11th he looked wobbly like he was getting into the act. Weve never seen Kov fight like this, only jabbing – gunshy and still gave him trouble. Kov sold his title obviously, too much at stake with Canelo $365m contract. Thats that!!!

    • Notice how Canelos gloves looked bigger than normal. Better to cover with! Padding probably thinner in middle. You are right that the deck looked to be stacked. If Ward offers to fight Canelo lets see how they respond. Ward and his team are too smart for a stacked deck scenario.

  • They might could lure Andre Ward out of retirement. One tune up fight and then Canelo. I never saw Ward fade late in a fight. Wear and tear on Kovalev made a difference. Why didn’t he ever set down on some power shots? Credit to Canelo but I believe a Ward fight would be another level of a challenge.

  • Canelo is a very good fighter, everything he does he does it well but he isn’t one of the greats because he avoids every real tests possible since the Mayweather fight… Only fights, smaller fighters or fighter who are no longer in their prime. You can all watch on boxrec and give me just one name of a fighter in his prime who he’d beat ? Sorry i will never be a Canelo fan anymore i let that to the casuals… He’s a light heavy and he took a weak title and yet he’s gone… he’s the Mexican Kaiser Sauzee !!! You Will hear about him but toi Will never see him fight a decent fighter !! Lol

  • Now for the truth.

    Kovalev is washed up. Canelo would get creamed against one of the better Light Heavyweights. Canelo is top 5 at best. Roy Jones Jr would have destroyed Canelo.

    • Roy Jones would destroy or clearly outpoint anybody in his prime. Jones was the best P4P of all time in his prime. Doesn’t mean Canelo isn’t the man right now.

  • I fell asleep waiting for the fight to start—-Espn Dan Rafael had the fight 97-93 Kovalev at the time of stoppage—-yes he ran out of gas but maybe troublesome that canelo was being beaten before the ko. Not many people talking about this.

  • canelo did a good job winning the fight,but i would love to see how he he fights the top dogs at that division,his team knows who to put him in against older fighters that at the ending of their career.

  • I’m very interested to see if Canelo would go back to Super middleweight and fight Callum Smith.
    It’s a fight i’d love to see.
    I think Callum would give him all sorts of problems personally.
    Kovalev is 6ft with a reach of 72.5″ whereas Smith is 6 3″ with a reach of 78″-incredible really for a super middleweight.
    Who would people here pick?

    • I think Callum will need to get in the spotlight to get the fight. 168 and cruiser have always been the dead divisions. Not sure why. Seems like most only camp there at 168 to shoot up to 175 very quickly. Not sure how many PPVs have been at either. But it’s not a lot.

  • Comrade Kovalev, are you sure you know the script? Why of course!!!! Comrade Kovalev we want you to go down like KING KONG hit you, and make sure you have that QUEERS LOOK on your face while going down. Yes Comrade I understand. Remember make no problem for the FISHNET in his WWE promotion understand??? Yes COMRADE I know the capabilities of the KGB. And make sure you play with his cinnaman B#TCH for at least 8 of the 10 rounds. Yes COMRADE I understand very well. B.T.W when do i receive my HELLO? Do not worry about the HELLO, make SURE you say GOODBYE in the 10th round, yes COMRADE I UNDERSTAND by the 10 th round. But can I go until the 12 th round please, because I need to give this man a beating before I leave this sport for good. NO BEATINGS to Canela, just make him know he is lucky to find you at this time of need, for you and your FAMILY!!! O.K, O.K I understand COMRADES but please can I just put him down like the lil MUTT he is? NO NO NO!!!! The Fishnet wants this to be a ROBERT DE NIRO raging bull type ending, NO putting the CINNAMAN on the floor!!!!!! Please let me give him a BIG BANANA in 1 of the rounds,No BANANAS,NO DILDOS,NO RECTUM FINDERS!!!!Stick to the WWE script and make SURE you know KGB, FBI ,CIA ,NSA,MOSSAD and JESUS CHRIST, Mohammed,and MOSES himself wants you to GO DOWN. Please COMRADES I need another 10 million extra on top of the 15 million and throw in another 12 million to help me sleep better. COMRADE KOVALEV if there any MISUNDERSTANDINGS, do you know who KGB is/was/and will FOREVER BE!!!!!! O,K but make sure those bought judges have me in the lead because I will play CZAR with him for 80-90% of the rounds, it’s a good thing i’m doing RIGHT KGB????? ZATS RIGHTS COMRADE!!!!!! Remember look like KING KONG hit you, the ref will stop the fight BEFORE you hit the ground!!!!! And all will be well in the KOVALEVS family!!!!

    I just watched this EPISODE of the FRAUDS and the FAMOUS. The FISHNET is the LOWEST PROMOTER of all time, and he wrote this episode, with his COMRADES the KGB. WHAT B.S

    • Right! Kovalev never put his weight behind a punch. A sparring session. Then a academy award losing dive.

      • Anthony if you think Canela is the man now, perhaps you need to put on the FISHNET stockings like DelaHO? You are aware (perhaps not) that most of the better people on this site all predicted a loss for Kovalev because of a FIX by the ho? Are you this unaware of what happened. And please don’t try to fool anyone with your being a judge,a fighter, a sage or anything else that shows you in a position of knowing. Why do you think the sport and DAZN has to bow their heads to the UFC? Because most of those that watch and know the sport UNDERSTAND the fix was in, most figured it was going to be the judges that would perform the robbery, however it was Kovalev himself that decided he would lay down for the payday. The REF performed EXACTLY on cue, the second he fell he stopped the fight,before him even hitting the canvas. And the cinnamon boy had his phony victory. As for my other post it was written in jest about the KGB,CIA etc, it’s UNFORTUNATE you would not or cannot see the irony of the post. You need to see past your nose for what has happened in the sport (if you can even call it that at this stage) The WWE is more real than this SHYTE they call boxing.

        • Your fishnet comments really make you sound homophobic. You should probably look into that. And yes I do have experience. More than most. Also most were predicting a KO. But most didn’t see Kovalev come on stronger the 2nd half, he actually was leading the 2nd half I think on all scorecards even with the puff jab he was throwing. Also most predicted he’d fold from body shots. And I predicted Loma over Cambell, that doesn’t discredit the fact he picked up a strap, buyit doesn’t equate to what Canelo just did. Hope this helps. Hope you enlighten yourself on life as well.

          • Very nice reply, with you defending your fishnet wearing friend. I suppose you’ve had your time with that, Congrats, as for whatever else you’re rambling on about, the Loma/Campbell forum has passed by, so no one really cares about your predicting that fight except you and your ego.As for the rest of your post it’s much like your lack of any insight. The facts could hit you in your face, and then you would say it’s raining outside. Good luck to you,what you know would not fill a thimble, what you do not know would fill the universe.Boxing is very limited at this point because of the continual payoffs of judges, refs and other officials who have their hands out and mouths open,a federal boxing Czar is needed,many on this site know exactly what is going on, many predicted this fix, the WWE/Delaho promotions is alive and well with fans like yourself, they say ignorance is bliss, man you prove it whenever you ramble on.

          • Once again I feel you need to come to terms with your homophobia. The Loma/Campbell analogy was simply put to show any fight can be predicted but it doesn’t strip the significance. The only ramblings come from you. There are not payoffs and fixes the way you say. Canelo is the man right now and that’s a fact. And you countered non of my points. Across 3 cards between rounds 8-10 Kovalev won 7-2 . Noone predicted that. If you need to be taught about boxing, I could teach you. Just ask next time. Hope this helps.

          • Anthony J, nearly 70 % of the guys on this site predicted a fix by DLH. Most predicted it would come from the judges voting for a DLH fighter, in this case Canela. It’s UNUSUAL that a newbie like yourself comes onto a site to vigorously defend a fighter like Canela who has been in many fights that had him winning, when in fact the fans, fighters,and the voting public had him losing, GGG in the 1st fight saw a 77% margin of him winning the fight, and 65% had him winning the 2nd fight. Not to mention his PED use and getting a suspension from the WBC. Now you show up to tell everyone how there are no fixes in boxing, and make it seem like you’re selling something for DLH, the WBC, or the WBA??? In your last post you mentioned there are no payoffs or fixes in the game. Perhaps I can interest you in buying the London bridge. You might also be able to become a salesman for the DLH fishnet line. Congrats on your new enterprise.Please be aware of what you know, could not fill a thimble, and what you don’t know could fill up the ENTIRE UNIVERSE. Have a great day.

          • Your remarks make no sense and hold no water. Yes most on the site predicted the winner, but most not by the means it actually went down. I think that’s fact. Also fact him being predicted to blow away a LH champ only shows how awesome he is. He is an awesome fighter and this proved it.

  • Kovalev can use his purse money to supplement his monthly old-age social security payments. He has been a shell of himself for several years. Golden Boy Promotions aren’t stupid when they choose opponents.

  • I thought Kovalev was ahead on points until the stoppage. I am disappointed to see that Canelo always seems to get an edge in scoring by the judges. Going into the 11th round, two judges had Canelo winning 96-94 and one judge had it a draw at 95-95. None of the judges had Kovalev winning the fight. In essence, Kovalev faced two opponents – the judges and Canelo.

  • 36 and trying to jab your way to victory while fighting off a great offensive fighter? His camp was well aware he didn’t have the stamina. Shoulda been the bigger guy in the ring and threw bombs from the start. Maybe he woulda got countered or maybe he coulda landed something. At least he would have earned some respect from me. Terrible game plan. I had the fight even after 10 in a boring ” can’t believe I stayed up or this ” snooze fest.

  • Canelo proved he’s the best P4P fighter in the world right now. Crawford, Loma just aren’t taking these types of risks.

    • Who is Crawford running from??? What risk did Canelo take?

      Fight was announced and everyone already picked the winner.

  • “[After this] the plan was to go down to 160, 165, but why not — maybe 175 again,” he said. “We have to see what happens. We have to do what’s best for us. We have to look for the best fights, the big fights, but obviously give the victories to Mexico.” OK then Bivol and Beterbiev to unify. That is what the public wants. Best for you and Golden boy? Drop down and fight washed up GGG again who is a faded fighter who you didn’t fight until his mid 30s and past his prime. The pussy Mexican who shunned the best of the best fighters in their prime. Rings bells of Mayweather. Definitely Canelo is a top fighter, but will go down as ducking the cream of the crop in their prime. Except Mayweather who thumped his A$$.

  • I have to eat some crow…I said it would go the distance and Canelo proved me wrong. It’s a solid win for him plain and simple.

    With that said, Canelo is a really good fighter who’s never really been a true Champion in my eyes. I feel he clearly lost the first GGG fight and at best earned a Draw in the second and that after being caught cheating. For me, he needs to pick a weight and clear it. He could get props with one fight at Light Heavyweight by beating Beterbiev. He’d then be the lineal Champion and hold 3 belts. If he feels that’s untenable, then go down to 168 and clean it. Just become a true champion instead of a paper one.

    Again, this was a solid win. I give him his due and hope he chooses wisely.

    • Not according to the judges’ score cards. Two of the judges favored Canelo going into the 11th round and one had it a draw. I had Kovalev ahead on points entering the 11th round.

  • Bottom line………………boxing isn’t what it used to be in the 70s and 80s. The best fighting the best all in their prime. Now its all business with little regard for the fans who are the gullible idiots. Oscar has the cash cow and can basically do what he wants and manipulate fights. You don’t agree to terms you don’t get a good payday. The casual fan doesn’t realize the “KRUSHER”, is spent goods. Bivol or Beterbiev would of been much more lucrative, but they knew youth would prevail over a burned out fighter in addition to a recently hard fought bout. Canelo has not fought one cream of the crop fighter who is a champion, but the worst one in the alphabet soup of belts, who therefore isn’t considered the lineal champion. Nuff said.

  • And what is guaranteed? Dropping down in weight class and hiding. A light heavy unification fight? Ain’t happening. They got the cur in the division which is usually WBO. When Bivol and Beterbiev put on another 3-4 years of age while Canelo is still fairly young maybe. After DAZN paid him 300,000,000.00 I would think the fans should have a say in who he fights. The consensus appears to be to unify the light heavy weights. The real belt holders. Not the offshoots. When your a cash cow though not happening. Oscar is a great businessman I give him that. Knowing how to pick the ones with little chance of winning, but look good in the public eye. Then put forth all kinds of stipulations all but guaranteeing victory. Sorry to burst your bubble but you don’t become a champion by winning one alphabet soup belt. You unify. Not by beating the crappiest one available. Already beat up 8 weeks ago, made to dehydrate, stay dehydrated. Lets see some Mexican balls and fight Beterbiev. Hes no heavier than Kovalev. Oh but wait hesa hard smart puncher in his prime. No MAS for sure.

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