reservoirdogs
Superstar
a few thoughts about yesterday
Kovalev turned back the hands of time here, the last time I've seen hi box so well was at the first Ward fight not counting his quick demolition of Shabranskyy where the opponent just didn't belong.
As for Alvarez he fought like a guy lost his identity after a few rounds. Uncharacteristically he shuffled forward behind a guard to try to walk Kovalev down and break his will, I think his recent KOs got him thinking he is a one shot killer and he forgot to use his quick footwork. They don't exactly fight alike but something similar happened to Jermell Charlo recently too. He went from a tricky fighter to a one tricky pony in just a few rounds. For this Kovalev boxing better than him and being more active was needed cause that got Alvarez to press forward so much imo... Kovalev boxed better than I thought frankly I thought the only way he beats Alvarez is by KO cause otherwise Alvarez is sharper and faster than him at this stage of their careers.
Kovalev's gassing was not that bad either, maybe he was right about overtraining afterall? Admittedly I was ridiculing him because of saying that shyt over and over again like some bad old excuse but who knows... Alvarez's stamina was also not impeccable though so there's that too.
Valdez got himself an easy "welcome back" win, I didn't see too much change in his game on this fight. I guess he won't change completely just after one camp with Canelo's team though so let's see what happens going forward but to me he looked pretty much like the Valdez we know.
Lopez's victory was nice, I don't make a fuss about his post fight shyt. Not really my taste but I don't act like shyt like that would be so harsh in a sport like boxing, the wild west of sports. It's a minor stuff...
I'm wondering though how Lopez gonna matchup with the elite where his athleticism alone possibly won't be enough. Does he have what it takes to learn new stuff and hone his skills or he gonna get off of athleticism until he won't be able to anymore? Will he be a legitimate big shot of his generation or he will be like a 135 Jean Pascal, a good fighter who wins fights off of his athleticism alone but lacking what it takes to be a great.
I still have Haney and Stevenson as the frontrunner prospects/young contenders of the USA in the near future but Lopez is an entertaining guy in the ring no doubt about that, and I can see the appeal. Outspoken, charismatic, explosive, fun style in the ring, from Brooklyn NY, latino... in other words a promoter's dream.
Commey impressed me with how he just washed Chaniev in 2 rounds even though it seemed like Chaniev is clearly not up to pair. I can see Commey causing problems to Loma even if he won't win. It's often said that Loma boxes worse on his backfoot than front foot and if anyone can force him backwards it's Commey. Big for a 135er, tough, doesn't mind to get physical in the ring, big puncher... It won't be a cakewalk to Loma imo, if it will be I'll be impressed. I can't see Commey quitting either, seems to be a genuine tough guy in there.
Kovalev turned back the hands of time here, the last time I've seen hi box so well was at the first Ward fight not counting his quick demolition of Shabranskyy where the opponent just didn't belong.
As for Alvarez he fought like a guy lost his identity after a few rounds. Uncharacteristically he shuffled forward behind a guard to try to walk Kovalev down and break his will, I think his recent KOs got him thinking he is a one shot killer and he forgot to use his quick footwork. They don't exactly fight alike but something similar happened to Jermell Charlo recently too. He went from a tricky fighter to a one tricky pony in just a few rounds. For this Kovalev boxing better than him and being more active was needed cause that got Alvarez to press forward so much imo... Kovalev boxed better than I thought frankly I thought the only way he beats Alvarez is by KO cause otherwise Alvarez is sharper and faster than him at this stage of their careers.
Kovalev's gassing was not that bad either, maybe he was right about overtraining afterall? Admittedly I was ridiculing him because of saying that shyt over and over again like some bad old excuse but who knows... Alvarez's stamina was also not impeccable though so there's that too.
Valdez got himself an easy "welcome back" win, I didn't see too much change in his game on this fight. I guess he won't change completely just after one camp with Canelo's team though so let's see what happens going forward but to me he looked pretty much like the Valdez we know.
Lopez's victory was nice, I don't make a fuss about his post fight shyt. Not really my taste but I don't act like shyt like that would be so harsh in a sport like boxing, the wild west of sports. It's a minor stuff...
I'm wondering though how Lopez gonna matchup with the elite where his athleticism alone possibly won't be enough. Does he have what it takes to learn new stuff and hone his skills or he gonna get off of athleticism until he won't be able to anymore? Will he be a legitimate big shot of his generation or he will be like a 135 Jean Pascal, a good fighter who wins fights off of his athleticism alone but lacking what it takes to be a great.
I still have Haney and Stevenson as the frontrunner prospects/young contenders of the USA in the near future but Lopez is an entertaining guy in the ring no doubt about that, and I can see the appeal. Outspoken, charismatic, explosive, fun style in the ring, from Brooklyn NY, latino... in other words a promoter's dream.
Commey impressed me with how he just washed Chaniev in 2 rounds even though it seemed like Chaniev is clearly not up to pair. I can see Commey causing problems to Loma even if he won't win. It's often said that Loma boxes worse on his backfoot than front foot and if anyone can force him backwards it's Commey. Big for a 135er, tough, doesn't mind to get physical in the ring, big puncher... It won't be a cakewalk to Loma imo, if it will be I'll be impressed. I can't see Commey quitting either, seems to be a genuine tough guy in there.
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