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Join us on SA's boxing discord: https://discord.gg/FUmR3An Weight classes in boxing exist for a reason. Just an extra ten pounds on an otherwise evenly matched opponent can be the difference between brushing off a punch and going to sleep. Few boxers make the jump to a higher weight class successfully; even fewer make the jump without losing something in the process. For good reason the exceptions are often considered among the best pound-for-pound, as they have proven definitively that they can succeed across a variety of weight classes. It is no small accomplishment to defeat champions in more than one weight class, especially at the higher weight divisions which are separated by even greater weight disparities and are full of competitors who can really punch. Why do fighters take the risk? Sometimes there is simply no good competition left at a boxer’s preferred weight class, and bigger names (in more ways than one) can only be found by moving up the ladder. Andre Ward was a fantastic super middleweight (168 lb), but once he had cleared out the division of all reasonable contenders there was nowhere for him to go but up. Ward made the jump to light heavyweight (175 lb), got himself acclimated to the weight class, and went for the number one guy at the time, Sergey Kovalev, who he would go on to defeat in two high-level matches. Other times an opportunity in a higher weight class is just too good to pass up, to the point where the risk involved isn’t even a consideration. Floyd Mayweather spent years drawing up good fighters from lightweight (135 lb) and super welterweight (140 lb) with his ability to pay opponents more money than they would likely make in years. Finally, some fighters do it for the legacy, for the ability to claim that they have defeated opponents in several weight classes. In the course of his career Manny Pacquiao won world titles or championships in eight weight classes, spanning from flyweight (112 lb) all the way to super welterweight (154 lb). All three of these reasons motivate Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’ jump up two weight classes tonight, from middleweight (160 lb) to light heavyweight (175 lb). Having defeated Gennadiy Golovkin and Danny Jacobs, Canelo feels there are no real competitors left for him at middleweight, and feels he must find bigger challenges in the higher divisions. His opponent, Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev, represents a real name for him to defeat, which translates into eyeballs for his parent network DAZN and dollars for his cut of the fight earnings. If the Mexican champ defeats Kovalev it will add a fourth weight class to his collection of world titles, and will stand as one of his career’s signature wins. Alvarez has never shied away from taking on great risks to reap even greater rewards. But perhaps this time around he’s bitten off more than he can chew.  Saturday, Nov 2nd DAZN - Prelims 6:30pm ET, main card 9:00pm ET, main event 11:00pm ET or later Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev - WBO light heavyweight (175 lb) world title Ryan Garcia vs Romero Duro - lightweight (135 lb) Seniesa Estrada vs Marlen Esparza - flyweight (112 lb) Blair Cobbs vs Carlos Ortiz - welterweight (147 lb) Evan Holyfield vs Nick Winstead - junior middleweight (154 lb) Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Jorge Fortea - junior middleweight (154 lb) Tristan Kalkreuth vs Twon Smith - cruiserweight (200 lb) Meiirim Nursultanov vs Cristian Olivas - middleweight (160 lb)  Having begun his pro boxing career at the exceptionally early age of 15, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 KO) has spent the majority of his boxing matches on television in his home country of Mexico, and in recent years has become the standard-bearer of the country’s strong boxing tradition, succeeding the likes of Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez. At twenty-nine years old Alvarez already boasts a record of accomplishments that could rival any of those three, with a litany of wins against some of the best fighters of the last decade, and only a single loss to mar his record (and that loss came against Mayweather, perhaps the best boxer of the last twenty years). Over the last five years Canelo has transitioned into the middleweight (160 lb) division, establishing himself slowly but surely and eventually taking on pound-for-pound star Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin. Across twenty-four rounds and two very close matches, Canelo just barely edged out Golovkin, coming away with a draw and a win which could have easily been two losses (or two wins). For now Canelo has decided to close the book on that rivalry instead of seeking out a rubber match, but outside of Golovkin there is not much for the boxing superstar to do at middleweight, especially after his win against Daniel Jacobs earlier in the year.  Enter Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (34-3-1, 29 KO), former world champion at light heavyweight (175 lb) and currently considered either the best or second-best active fighter at the weight, depending on who you ask. Kovalev gained fame and prominence as a knockout artist, ending most of his fights within the distance, and was considered by many fans to be among the top ten pound-for-pound. Indeed, Kovalev fought with an aura of invincibility similar to Golovkin two weight classes below him. It took a great fighter like Andre Ward to end the Russian boxer’s win streak, but with it Ward also took Kovalev’s aura of invincibility. In their first fight Ward found the edge against Kovalev in a controversial fight that many felt the Russian deserved to win, and their immediate rematch also ended controversially when Kovalev was stopped on what appeared to be a low blow. But many observers felt that Kovalev had lost something in that second bout, and they would soon be vindicated when Kovalev went on to fight Eleider Alvarez, and was knocked out in a fight in which he was supposed to be the heavy favorite. Kovalev has since avenged his loss to Alvarez, but he has never quite looked like the fighter he was before those Ward fights.  Even though Kovalev has many physical advantages over Canelo, this match is thought to be somewhat of an attack of opportunity by the younger, smaller challenger. While Alvarez has looked better and better in every one of his recent fights, possibly as a result of the high level of his recent competition, Kovalev has arguably looked worse with every showing. A recent match between Kovalev and Anthony Yarde, a relatively unknown journeyman, saw Kovalev taken into deep waters from Yarde’s body work, and it is arguable that had Yarde a little more experience he may have been able to stop Kovalev. Instead, the Krusher found his own stoppage, which was enough to preserve his crack at Canelo. Popular thought around this matchup is that Canelo and his team have seen something in Kovalev which they believe they can exploit for a very high-profile, if risky, legacy-boosting win. The calculus for Canelo is as follows: Kovalev is a hard hitter, has a great jab, and will outrange Canelo from the opening bell. But Canelo has fought hard hitters before, and has shown he is capable of fighting successful at midrange as well as on the inside. On the other hand, Kovalev has shown against Ward and others that he is vulnerable to the body, reacting badly when hit there and with a defense that also seemingly leaves him sexposed downstairs. Canelo is a brutal body attacker, so if he can get inside on Kovalev and land some damage it could very well be an early night for him. The major risk for Canelo is that he cannot get to Kovalev, cannot get past his jab, and cannot get the bigger man in this bout to respect him. It is certainly what Kovalev, who has been dismissive about Alvarez belonging in his division, is counting on.  Unfortunately for Kovalev a knockout against Canelo will likely be his only path to victory in Las Vegas, which is practically a hometown for the Mexican superstar. Alvarez showed both times against Golovkin that he is more than capable of holding his own in a boxing match, and the judges in both fights showed that as long as he holds his own he will get the benefit of the doubt on the scorecards. Sergey Kovalev knows how to trap and finish opponents, but truth be told he isn’t as effective at cutting off the ring as Golovkin, and Alvarez proved very hard for Golovkin to trap. Kovalev therefore may find himself with just a puncher’s chance in the bout, hoping for a lucky punch that could turn the dynamic of the fight around or end it outright. But twelve rounds is a long time for him to find such a punch, and twelve rounds is a long time for Canelo to avoid getting hit, especially if it turns out he cannot get Kovalev to respect his power in turn. This will be a very tense fight for as long as it lasts, especially for fans of Canelo hoping their fighter doesn’t get hurt. My Prediction: I believe the fight will start with both men showing respect to each other, neither guy wanting to commit especially. Canelo will soon feel the range disadvantage but may feel uncomfortable moving in on Kovalev, especially against the bigger man’s jab. Once Canelo figures out his opponent’s timing, perhaps around the third round or so, he will begin to assert himself, trying to hold the center of the ring and possibly moving up on Kovalev. He may also just try to get in and clinch, giving him the opportunity to rough Kovalev up to the body while on the inside. Kovalev may start looking for big head shots, but I think Canelo will be more elusive than the Krusher expects, and in better condition than the Russian fighter can keep up with. As the fight enters its second half, I think we will see Kovalev begin to wilt as Alvarez keeps up the pace and pressure, and as Canelo’s body work accumulates and begins to pay off. To be honest, I don’t think Canelo will need the help of the judges in this one, and in the later rounds I see him as being too much for the declining Kovalev to hang with. Saul Alvarez by round 9 stoppage. 
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Nov 2, 2019 23:59
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| # ? Apr 19, 2024 15:54 |
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gently caress it, war kovalev
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Nov 3, 2019 01:50
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That Holyfield stop was kind of quick
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Nov 3, 2019 01:55
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Pretty bad cut on one of the ladies in this fight that I'm not paying a lot of attention to
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Nov 3, 2019 03:37
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LobsterMobster posted:Pretty bad cut on one of the ladies in this fight that I'm not paying a lot of attention to https://twitter.com/metaljohnradio/status/1190823907038814209?s=19 goddd drat.
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Nov 3, 2019 04:12
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Worst part was, after the ref called it between the 9th and 10th, and Esparza lost a technical decision, she was interviewed while holding a towel to her head for like 5 minutes
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Nov 3, 2019 04:20
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Ryan Garcia is the future. He should fight often, he’s got it all!
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Nov 3, 2019 04:36
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dazn is so loving stupid. how has they not started this fight?
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Nov 3, 2019 05:30
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Boxing needs an enema. There is no justifiable reason to poo poo around for an hour interviewing everybody in the dang arena.
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Nov 3, 2019 05:37
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i'm probably going to bed after the diaz masvidal fight and then going to laugh when i read both fighters got injured after being cold because they had to wait an hour and thirtyminutes before they got to fight
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Nov 3, 2019 05:45
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let’s see how shot kovalev is
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Nov 3, 2019 05:56
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how loving long is this anthem
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Nov 3, 2019 06:00
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hey its punchmans
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Nov 3, 2019 06:01
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gently caress...THREE anthems???
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Nov 3, 2019 06:04
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Two hours of anthems. Please go on to sing the super racist verse of the US one, my man.
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Nov 3, 2019 06:06
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god the american anthem is bad enough at the best of times let alone when it’s not needed and it’s following 2 long as gently caress ones
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Nov 3, 2019 06:06
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i predict this boxing fight match is going to end via doctor stoppage in the 3rd round
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Nov 3, 2019 06:08
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still impressed that days inn managed to run a boxing channel
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Nov 3, 2019 06:10
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Middelweight??
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Nov 3, 2019 06:11
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Has canelo fought at 168? or is he jumping straight from 160?
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Nov 3, 2019 06:12
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He expended too much energy and got tired
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jesus get to the loving fight already
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Nov 3, 2019 06:12
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it’s gonna be a 6am start at this rate
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Nov 3, 2019 06:12
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Dangersim posted:Has canelo fought at 168? or is he jumping straight from 160? he’s skipped 168
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Nov 3, 2019 06:14
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don trella julie lederman and dave morettie kovalev hosed
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Nov 3, 2019 06:16
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kov needs a knockout for a draw
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Nov 3, 2019 06:16
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ok so 1 punch = 1 point right?
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Nov 3, 2019 06:18
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is there a more boxing name than buddy mcgurk
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Nov 3, 2019 06:21
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canelo looks so much faster
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Nov 3, 2019 06:24
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uhhh kovalev's pitter patter shots look like they are having way more of an effect than they should
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Nov 3, 2019 06:30
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canelo’s shots always sound so heavy. maybe that explains the judging
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Nov 3, 2019 06:35
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Wow these announcers are on canelos dick
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Nov 3, 2019 06:39
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Dangersim posted:Wow these announcers are on canelos dick they're sponsoring canelo so
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Nov 3, 2019 06:39
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what the gently caress is a swing round lol
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Nov 3, 2019 06:40
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Dangersim posted:Wow these announcers are on canelos dick also bill simmons, the innovative sports theorist that he is
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Nov 3, 2019 06:41
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Zyla posted:they're sponsoring canelo so Didn't Canelo's giant insane contract have a stock stake in dazn or something
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Nov 3, 2019 06:41
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CarlCX posted:Didn't Canelo's giant insane contract have a stock stake in dazn or something probably
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Nov 3, 2019 06:42
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saul coming on now
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Nov 3, 2019 06:44
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Lol at this nevermind the man behind the curtain. poo poo
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Nov 3, 2019 06:44
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is kovalev even trying to win
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Nov 3, 2019 06:45
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| # ? Apr 19, 2024 15:54 |
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Zyla posted:is kovalev even trying to win I think he is
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Nov 3, 2019 06:47
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