Quote Originally Posted by Greenbeanz View Post
Quote Originally Posted by Gandalf View Post
I'm disappointed with that performance. Cleverly just had no idea what to do and was flopping around like a fish. The commentator talks about granite chins, but a granite chinned fighter doesn't get stopped in 4. If anything Cleverly perhaps reminds me more of Enzo Mac rather than Joe Calzaghe.

A terrible showing and you have a hard time seeing Cleverly doing all that much now that the chin has been checked.
I think you have to give Kovalev a bit more credit. Yes Cleverly didn't box to plan but he was never going to be Joe. Kovalev is VERY good. Cleverlys dad is a dick.
No, fair play to him and his power is clearly unpleasant, but Cleverly never really showed any gears or versatility. He started cautiously and as soon as he was hurt he lost it. He could have retreated and tried to survive the 3rd round and just clear his head, but instead he got himself brained and in boxing you have to have savvy otherwise you are just another number, which might well turn out to be the case. I just think it is such a shame.

It's sad that Cleverly is more Enzo Mac than Joe Calzaghe. He was utterly. Still, you are right Kovalev deserves his credit and though I don't think he can box especially well, he will fuck you up given the slightest sniff. If anything Hopkins should avoid this fight, but it would be fascinating to see if he can play the matador.