I think Kovalev is my new 2nd favorite currently

[Beanflicker]

I didn't know much about him until the Cleverly fight but he's the kind of guy boxing needs, a brutal puncher who can also pace himself if he gets in there with a defensive guy like Agnew.

And to simply call a guy who's ducking him a "piece of shit" in the post fight interview hahaha. Quick and to the point, no subtly at all. Kovalev RULES.

Current faves...

1. Provodnikov
2. Kovalev
3. GGG

[Vendettos]

Kovalev is a punch, that is about it.

He will lose sooner or later to a more skilled, less powerful fighter.

[armin]

I didn't know much about him until the Cleverly fight but he's the kind of guy boxing needs, a brutal puncher who can also pace himself if he gets in there with a defensive guy like Agnew.

And to simply call a guy who's ducking him a "piece of shit" in the post fight interview hahaha. Quick and to the point, no subtly at all. Kovalev RULES.

Current faves...

1. Provodnikov
2. Kovalev
3. GGG

Agreed he's awesome been high on him for a while, I don't know why people keep thinking he's just a puncher with no skill. people who are just a "punch" tend to lose rounds till their "miracle" punches, kovalev doesn't loose rounds and is busy and doesn't just look for that one punch.

[Beanflicker]

He's not just a "punch", he can hurt you with multiple punches from both hands.

He knows how to get inside and land his shit.

That being said, is there a chance of him getting schooled by a slickster like Ward? Sure. But I'll always be a fan of the two-fisted KO artists.

[J_Undisputed]

Usually guys with no skill but just big punches dont make it far out of amateurs or win medals. Here's something interesting I found on wikipedia while looking for his amateur record. If its true, it appears as though the guy has a bit of humanity too.
"During a 2011 fight, Kovalev knocked down his opponent Roman Simakov in the 6th round. The fight was stopped one round later and Kovalev was awarded a TKO victory. Simakov was taken to hospital, where he lapsed into a coma and died 3 days later.[5] Kovalev went to church with his wife Natalia to pray for Simakov while he was in a coma. He bought airline tickets for Simakov's parents to get from Kemerovo to Ekaterinburg where the fight was held.[6][better source needed] After Simakov died, Kovalev apologized to Simakov's parents and promised to give them the prize money from his next fight.[7] "

[Beanflicker]

Yeah Kovalev has NASTY power. Guys like him and Golovkin break guys mentally with their two-fisted power before they break them physically. You could see it in the Cleverly fight. Cleverly was posturing and beckoning him on but you could tell by his body language that his heart left the building.

When Kovalev hits a guy the guy regrets taking the fight almost immediately.

[Master]

Yes I became a fan of his after the destruction of Nathan. I think he is a top fighter far better than Prov but not as good as GGG.

[Ron Swanson]

I like his form but I think people are going a step too far. He needs a few top fights before he gets the credit he's getting. We've seen feared monsters come and go come and go come and go. He's good, let him earn his accolades if he can. I'll end up hating him because I don't believe in the soap opera fear stuff but the drama folks haven't driven me to that yet.

[FinitoElDinamita]

Its funny how Provodnikov is even being mentioned alongside Kovalev ans GGG.

kovalev and GGG are educated punchers who are skilled in their own ways.. they are not the type that eats 3 punches to give one like idiots.. they are far from " just punchers "..

Guys like provodnikov and maidana are just crude brawlers with no skills at all.. like none.. mayorga can fit In this group too although he could be in a class of his own lol.

Point is, kovalev is skilled, offensive fighter..

[Rantcatrat]

I like his form but I think people are going a step too far. He needs a few top fights before he gets the credit he's getting. We've seen feared monsters come and go come and go come and go. He's good, let him earn his accolades if he can. I'll end up hating him because I don't believe in the soap opera fear stuff but the drama folks haven't driven me to that yet.

Everyone likes a puncher and they tend to get overrated because of it. Some day he'll meet a boxer that will figure out the puzzle he presents. Until then though, he's damn fun to watch.

[Master]

I like his form but I think people are going a step too far. He needs a few top fights before he gets the credit he's getting. We've seen feared monsters come and go come and go come and go. He's good, let him earn his accolades if he can. I'll end up hating him because I don't believe in the soap opera fear stuff but the drama folks haven't driven me to that yet.

Everyone likes a puncher and they tend to get overrated because of it. Some day he'll meet a boxer that will figure out the puzzle he presents. Until then though, he's damn fun to watch.

I think Ward could be that boxer.

[Spicoli]

I like him a lot. He is a very cagey guy who varies him punches from all angles, he is far more than 'just a puncher'. You gain a new appreciation for some fighters when you spend a fight watching there feet. Dude has very savvy footwork and unlike some 'huge punchers' his feet and hands communicate.

[Beanflicker]

I'm not overrating him at all, I'm just saying he's one of my favorites, not that I think he's the greatest fighter out there.

How am I giving him too much credit? I'm not saying he's going to dominate the sport and retire undefeated. I'm just stating facts - that a) He's a BRUTAL 2 fisted puncher and b) he's exciting as hell to watch.

Personally, I think Andre Ward would beat him. I'm not saying he's unbeatable.