WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (34-3-1, 29 KOs), hosted an international media conference call to discuss his upcoming defense against Canelo Alvarez (51-1-2, 34 KOs) on November 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
“I respect Canelo because he goes right now up two divisions,” said Kovalev. “This is a huge goal for him and also for myself. Canelo wants to try get my title in the light heavyweight division, and if he will not get the title nobody will say, ‘Eh you lose.’ He has nothing to lose. He’s just trying…if I lose, I lose more than Canelo loses. Canelo is trying to make his history but I’m here. I’m in my position.
“Of course, I should beat Canelo, and the next fight I will be open for a unification fight. Right now, I have my concentration and focus on the Canelo fight.”
On whether Canelo is avoiding a third fight with Gennady Golovkin…
“I don’t think that he is avoiding the fight against GGG, but he now wants to make history. He wants to face me because I am the best in the light heavyweight division. His fights against GGG that happened or will happen, it doesn’t matter if Canelo wins the fight November 2nd or not. I think he just wants to try to make history.
“But we’ll see on November 2nd. Like I will be in the ring and we will be ready for everything what he will bring.”
On how long he’ll stay in the fight game at age 36…
“I am really motivated for my future boxing career. I would like two more great years. I can fight easy because right now I have a great team and great coaches like Buddy McGirt and Teddy Cruz who really help me.
“Right now, really big motivation to get victory over Canelo, because after this victory there are more opportunities that will be in front of me.”
On the Beterbiev-Gvozdyk unification fight…
“I will watch this fight for sure this Friday, and we’ll see who’s the best of these two guys. I think like one of those guys will get victory. (Laughter) Not like a draw. Somebody will win.”
If Sergey can educate his Jab [ alongside Buddy McGirt ] and develop [ operative word ] said arsenal to perform to his height and reach stratagem capacity [ for said bout ], while maintaining the psychological prowess to ward off Mr. Alvarez’ onslaught [ therein ] then Mr. Kovalev can definitely secure a points win. Copyright 2019 Coach Hilario
Canelo WILL NOT and CAN NOT loose….his “team” will make sure of it.
Too much money involved!
Loose or lose?
Both!
GrammarNazi 🙂
It’s LOSE not LOOSE Juan…dont post own hear know more til you lern to spell an some gramur.
Coach, I agree with your assessment. Kovalev can create problems for Canelo with lateral movement, using a reach, executing that counter right cross, and effectively jabbing his way to additional points. I can say to some degree that Kovalev’s reputation is on the line just as bad as Canelo’s. Why? Simple….Kovalev getting KO’d or battered by a smaller “star” boxer will haunt his pedigree / resume as a fighter. He will always be remembered as getting KO’d or battered by Canelo should that happen. However, if he beats Canelo, this adds some sweet spice to his boxing resume for bragging rights. The world will be watching! Kovalev better be serious about this fight and realize the oddities in this fight makes it a splendid matchup for better things to come for the winner!
comparing canelo to Kovalev is like comparing a mosquito to a Lion!! Canelo is the mosquito and Kovalev is the lion!!
If KO can go 12 rounds….
Coach Hilario. Why are you always trying so hard to come across as highly intelligent and articulate? There’s no need for the unnatural jargon. We understand perfectly well what you are saying but please just be yourself and quit the silly ridiculous way of trying so hard to make a simple statement by using symbols and silly wording to make yourself sound articulate.
How fickle have we become as a society when we think it’s acceptable to complain about what words a man chooses to use when he speaks?
Get over it, man up, leave your fee fees in the glovebox and let him enjoy whatever freedom of speech we have left before crybabies such as yourself foolishly work to eliminate it entirely.
Get off Hilarios’ back Bobby or be prepared to go 12 rounds with me…My left will put you in the hospital and i’m afraid of the right one myself…
but first you need to educate your jab and teach your right hand prowess therein primarily.
I just liked ur comment Bobby. I hope Croswell doesn’t give me the left too lmao
Some of what Kovalev says makes sense and is true. The gap in size and weight might be a fine excuse for Canelo to justify his loss, if Kovalev defeats him. Also, if he losses to Canelo, he will lose more than his title. Is not the same live with the feeling to have lost the title against a small man, than to have lost to a bigger man.
Canelo in 2!
I hope you’re joking. Canela only knocks out hand picked punching bags, not world class champs. He’s not even scoring knockouts at his current weight, no way he stops Kovalev. It’ll be the other way around.
You’re correct however Kovalev WAS hand picked exactly because he’s the weakest link in the LH division. He has a plethora of personal problems, just came off a war with Yarde less than 3 months ago, he’s lost 3 out of his last 7 fights, he’s been hurt several times to the body, his overall skills are diminished, etc.. NO WAY Canelos team would take this big a chance if they thought Kovalev was the dominant fighter he was several years ago.
I totally agree. It is without a doubt an attempt to beat a big name and win a belt in another weight class then claim to be the best ever. It’s all a scam. I really do hope they’ve underestimated Kovalev and he annihilates Canelo.
You bring up some interesting points Juan.
if kovalev lose to canelo he will probally lose his pride also.
Interesting choice of words by Kovalev: “I should beat Canelo” instead of “I will beat Canelo”.
The fight is still a farce for me and I would need to get paid a lot to watch it. But there are millions who are really curious how a blown up PED user and a faded champ will fare in the ring. #boycott fake hype fights.
You’re absolutely right about Canelo using PED, this explains his stamina and ability to take punches for 12 Rounds like he did against GGG in both fights. When he moved up in weight against Floyd he looked very slow especially by the later rounds. Oscar has everyone on the committee bought that’s why Canelo is able to use PEDs without any consequences
You are 100% correct.
Yes….and I think it would be helpful for some Canelo fans to look at his physical progression over the years: its literally impossible to change a physique that much without HGH and/or steroids.
You may also be interested in checking out the link I provided below that shows Canelo’s questionable stacking technique for his wraps in order to turn them into bricks.
I noticed those words as well, not a lot of confidence on Sergeys part.
So you wrote all of that but aren’t going to watch? Horsesh1t. Everyone on here will. 2 of the most talked about fighters of the last five years, 1 in decline, 1 going up in weight again. Gotta be worth a walk to the pub for a few pints at least and watch for free
@Richard: I have been watching boxing for a few decades, and I know exactly what I am going to watch (and pay for) and what not. I can guarantee you 100% that I will not watch this fight. Its a sad circus show for me. But if you want to prove me wrong, make me a very good financial offer and I may change my mind :))
A farce? I really don’t like Canelo and his team, but the only reason this could be considered a ‘farce’ is because Canelo is exceptionally good. What would you be saying if it was Daniel Jacobs fighting Kovalev? or someone like Billy Joe Saunders. I realise Kovalev may have faded, but you act like anyone with two arms can just power through him now. He lost 2 to Ward (i believe only 1) and fought like an idiot in the first Eleider Alvarez fight. As soon as he boxed against Eleider Alvarez it was a walk in the park. The Yarde fight was tough, but we don’t really know how good Yarde is. Canelo is the favourite here, but this fight is not a farce.
@ CB: here’s my simple answer: show me any fight of two honest boxers who are not juiced up and who fight for the right reason and against an appropriate opponent, and I am the first to watch the fight.
I have no interest, however, in paying/watching repeated PED users with highly manipulated fight records, and I don’t like watching faded champs either. Put Kovalev in the ring with Gvozdyk, Bivol or Beterbiev and you will know what I mean.
just watch for the small possibility Canelo gets sparked out 🙂 DAZN is cheap anyway
@ CB: thanks for the encouragement :))
If Canelo really gets knocked out, I may watch a replay later. I think its important to boycott BS fighters/fights. ODLH & Canelo can get away with a lot of shit because they are both worth hundreds of millions of $$ paid by gullible boxing fans.
Uhmmm please tell that to fellow fallen boxing brothers who’ve lost Their lives in the ring!!!!
“Nation Wide is on his side” (Nation Wide being Adelaide).
I’d watch it for free, but certainly won’t pay for it. I’m not convinced Canelo is even the best Middleweight in the world. It’s one thing if he can’t make the weight, but another if he’s unwilling to prove he’s the best.
On beating Kovalev: if Canelo gets a Decision, then it’ll more than likely be controversial. A KO would be impressive, but very hard to imagine. He’s not knocking out the Middleweights (the Fielding fight was a farce).
There is a really cool video out (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HTIdKOKqfk) that shows Canelo’s stacking technique when wrapping his hands. Its an illegal technique that turns the wrap into a brick but for some reason, no one says or does anything about it. In fact, quite the opposite: millions are still buying his corrupt fights.
I think he said those words to downplay the situation. Truth be told, I bet Kov comes out ripped like no other ready for war. McGirt doesn’t play. Hes gonna have him in the best shape of his life. Regardless of age, hes still powerful and possesses tons of skill. Anyone that can have 2 fights with Ward has to be a bad ass… I like Canelo BUT I think he is biting off more than he can chew on this one. Kov will be ready, let’s hope he can take those body punches though.
My overall feeling here is there is no way golden boy would make this fight if they didn’t feel Canelo would win. Canelo by decision. At least the Krusher will get a record pay day and for what it’s worth I hope he wins.
Bob: great observation but I don’t think ODLH wanted this fight for Canelo. Oscar is already in hot water with Canelo so hes gonna give him what he wants win/lose to make his cash cow happy. This where I say, it could go really bad for Canelo… but ur right either way Kov jus won!! $$$ and he deserves it lol
Can’t wait for this fight. It will be awesome to see if Canelo can fight at this weight.
Let’s face it, only way The Killer wins is if he K.O’s Canela. We all know Delaho has every judge aware of his largess (money). They’re already on board, if Kovalev beats Canela to a pulp for 12 rounds, at best he gets a draw. And OF COURSE afterwards then they will tell you the REMATCH is on. Anyway this goes Canela wins because the most corrupt promoter in the games history wants it this way.
@ Steve: if ODLH already officially the most corrupt promoter in boxing history? I thought he is still tied with Don King?
Stone Delaho was a fine fighter and had honor when he fought. Since becoming a promoter has has become a WWE aficionado, his purpose is clear, cheat all opponents, use PEDS for his fighters, make it his business to buy every judge in the U.S, then cry about how badly his organization is viewed, and is destroying the game continually with his phony decisions. Don King made incredible fights, and I can tell you this, DLH never will let his fighters go into the ring unless everyone and everything is on his side, say what you like about King, any of his fighters fought and were great champs. Hey King at least had personality, DLH is like a FISH in his fishnets, and his drugging has destroyed any memory he had of being honorable.
This is what’s gonna happen. it’ll be a somewhat entertaining fight. Outcome 1: Kovalev wins decision but Canelo will be rewarded the controversial win by the judges. Outcome 2: Kovalev ahead of points gets somewhat stunned/hurt and the referee stops the fight by controversial quick stoppage to hand Canelo the win. This is what oscar and the judges will do, guaranteed. The ONLY way for Kovalev to win is by stoppage and w all know that. Canelo and Oscar don’t mind the judges helping them out. #Fixisin
Kovalev should KO canelo. Jab jab jab , right hand boom! Cinnamon has to take all of the chances to get in punching range. Easy work for Kov if he uses his reach, jab, and footwork properly. I don’t see how canelo can win to be honest. Unless he has the ref and judges in the bag.
I honestly dont think Kovalev is going to be right mentally for a fight of this magnitude come november.
Consider the fact that shortly after the fight he has pre trial then trial begins late November
thats for the criminal assault matter then he is also facing a 8 million dollar civil lawsuit all of this as he heads into the richest fight of his career against a kid who can fight
Looking forward to the day when Beterbiev KO’s both Kov and Canelo.
The way for victory for Kovalev is to starch him right from the start. Hurt him. Not let him gain confidence and gain momentum. That happens its over. Kovalev needs to truly rock him the first two rounds. FACT.
Canelo has a rock jaw…don’t think Kovelev has the power to stop him right now…Canelo has sparred with light heavyweights and it is almost impossible to hurt that big head and jaw of his…Beterbiev might have the power but DLH will never make that match….
The Krusher could (and would) have done that. Kovalev…that’s another story. He barely got by an inexperienced fighter with only 16 fights.
But you are right, that would be an excellent tactic for someone who has more power than juiced up Canelo.
I think people will be blown away by Canelo’s new bulked up physique, courtesy of HGH/steroids. But instead of realizing the real cause of his current physique, most people will be naive enough to think that he was just training hard.
I strongly believe that The Krusher will win the fight. And i will be honest with anyone that feels different….but it will NOT be an upset to me when it happens. I fully expect for him to beat Canelo. I don’t know how,i think if he lands flush,that he’ll hurt Canelo badly. He’ll come in significant bigger than Canelo which he should,he’ll be stronger than the smaller Canelo. He’ll walk through Canelo’s shots and i believe he should make it rough on Canelo. Maul him,lean on him,beat his body as hard as he can while making it rough. I think people will be surprised at the result of this fight.
I think this guy has already been bought.. Another win for canelo via purchase in my opinion.. Look at how Kovalev is talking.. Ive never heard him be so unsure of himself ever.. Let alone against a guy coming up far in weight..
This fight physically should be a mismatch! Kovalev has the height n weight advantage big time. You are talking a natural light heavyweight v.s. A natural jr. middleweight/middleweight. I understand Canelo will gain weight after the weigh in but so will Kovalev. Unless Kovalev is completely SHOT he should win this fight. Canelo does have the hand speed advantage n that’s where his advantages stop. Canelo will not bring anything to the table that Kovalev has not seen. Having fought Ward twice he should not be worried about anything Canelo has to offer. Like I said unless Kovalev is shot he should bully Canelo around the ring n win this fight.