HBO Tonight: Kovalev vs Caparello and Rios vs Chaves

Nothing up for rbr so here we go. Looks like a split card via satellite and could turn into some interesting moments for the heavy underdogs.

Jesse Vargas 24-0 (9) defends against Anton Novikov 29-0 (10 ) in opener. Brandon Rios 31-2-1 (23) tries to get back on track taking on Argentine Diego Gabriel Chaves 23-1 (19) in one that surely will produce fireworks. Chaves was last seen going to war with Keith Thurman, Rios was last seen overweight and outclassed by Manny in one where he left his fire at home. He has to decide if he wants to be a gatekeeper or a serious player and it begins here. Chaves looks to be much more well suited at this natural weight.

Sergey Kovalev 24-0-1 (22) vs Blake Caparello 19-0-1 (16) in what I hope is the main, but with HBO you never know. Caparello comes in the heavy underdog and a mystery from the land of Oz. Southpaws are nothing knew to Kovalev but with Blakes cagey style I can see him frustrating him for a short time. The biggest concern here for Kovalev...cuts! Caparello whips his punches and has decent hand speed, but can be and has been hurt by left hooks before. The signing of Hopkins showdown WILL be in the back of Kovalevs mind as he literally has everything to lose here. These are the scenarios made for upsets, but they are always the ones that produce concussions. I'm leaning towards the latter.

Cheers gents, enjoy the fights :beerchug:

Evening everybody. UK telly isn't showing the Kovalev fight. Is it on after the Rios fight on HBO?

Magdaleno punishing Rodriguez here :-\

Merciful stoppage there ;)

Novikov comes in a Jr middle. He's a mystery and cannot recall seeing him at all?! Hopefully he watched Vargas fight vs Khabib and has a fast start. Vargas has yet to impress

Kovalev vs Caparello follows. Andre Ward calling this. Wonder if he is looking to make this permanent..

Both guys pretty evenly matched here :) Vargas maybe slightly ahead after two ;)

He's not a bad fighter, but Vargas just bores me

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

He's not a bad fighter, but Vargas just bores me

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Yea but the guys he has been fighting doesn't help :-\

Vargas hurts Novikov early in the fifth :) but Novikov keeps coming forward even coming on at the end :D

Tough round 5th! Vargas rattled him early but man Vargas looks like he fell apart the last half..feet crossing, unsteady and trying to switch southpaw. Vargas corner lying to him

I have Vargas up, but I am supporting the Russian. He seems determined.

This is a pretty good fight so far :) Vargas starting to land that right but Novikov keeps coming back, good work to the body and land some solid lefts :)

Those body shots are sapping Vargas, fun gritty scrap. Back and forth

Exactly how many times can Lampley yell Harrrd right hand :scratchchin:

You cab hear the difference in the pop here in the arena. Poor Jesse is trying though.

I have Vargas up 4 rounds to 3

It's a good fight. 4-3 Vargas, but I am seeing back and forth close rounds.

Good round for Novikov :)

Vargas is just taking these constant chin swiveling touches , legs look worse and worse

Another close round :) Vargas got it slightly :)

Vargas looks to be sagging somewhat. Still close, but he's having a tough time.

Better workrate there from Vargas, 5-4 Vargas.

A handful of close rounds in this fight, I wonder if that will reflect on the judges cards :-\

Honestly think its Novikovs to lose if he stepped up the pressure, but he is eating that straight right...WTF is Bayliss doing???

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Originally Posted by La Cucaracha

A handful of close rounds in this fight, I wonder if that will reflect on the judges cards :-\

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Novikov will not win a fight this close in this arena.

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Originally Posted by IamInuit

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Originally Posted by La Cucaracha

A handful of close rounds in this fight, I wonder if that will reflect on the judges cards :-\

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Novikov will not win a fight this close in this arena.

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Your probably right :( but Novikov is stating his case :)

Neck and neck fight, Vargas just seems negative to me now though. Whoever wants it most.

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Originally Posted by La Cucaracha

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Originally Posted by IamInuit

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Originally Posted by La Cucaracha

A handful of close rounds in this fight, I wonder if that will reflect on the judges cards :-\

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Novikov will not win a fight this close in this arena.

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Your probably right :( but Novikov is stating his case :)

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Indeed

Good scrap! Vargas looks like a drained guy who lacks the pop and defense to go up in weight. He better take some selfies with that trinket belt for memory. Both gutted it out but I think Vargas has lost his last two fights...but he wont.

Good, solid, gruelling fight :D Vargas but extremely close ;)

I don't know. Either man can have that and I want to see a rematch.

118-111 x2, 117-111 :o

BS cards :mad:

Those scores were criminal and an embarrassment, absolute trash!!!

Those scores were rediculous

Fucking judges. Novikov would have needed a KO to get a draw there.

LOL:vd::vd:

118-111! Hahahahahahahaha

WTF were they watching :confused: sure I had Vargas ahead but not by that nonsense ;)

Fuck off, the anti-Russian propaganda is over the cliff. :rolleyes:

This is why boxing makes you drink, more. Texas looks good right now. Terrible

Some of these judges should at least be honest about being blind. Or crooked. That was atrocious.