Sergey Kovalev v Saul Canelo Alvarez 2/11/19 Sky Sports/DAZN

[TIC]

fighter of the year

[powerpuncher]

Just announced that the scores before the stoppage were 95-95 and 96-94 on two for Canelo. It’s unfortunate that we can’t just let Canelo win without controversy. I could maybe see it at best a draw, but Canelo was not winning.

These announcers were the worst. Maybe they should just call the fight.

[powerpuncher]

I don’t want to take anything away from Canelo, but Kovalev is damaged goods. He is done. Getting knocked out like that shows that his chin is completely gone. He really didn’t get hit much that fight or didn’t get hit by that many big shots

[palmerq]

How do you not have Alvarez winning that on the cards, he was clearly landing the better stuff and more often and kovalev was just jabbing into his gloves. Alvarez landed some really good body punches guarded well and kovalev apart from a few rounds was marching to his beat... I mean sure if you want to score it for whoever throws more(like my mate Fatboxingfan would, great poster btw) then give kovalev every round but jimeny Christmas Alvarez landed the better stuff nearly all fight.

[Gandalf]

Just announced that the scores before the stoppage were 95-95 and 96-94 on two for Canelo. It’s unfortunate that we can’t just let Canelo win without controversy. I could maybe see it at best a draw, but Canelo was not winning.

These announcers were the worst. Maybe they should just call the fight.

Ouch I suspected as much with the card they kept showing. I was all 'Kovalev is 5-1 up here, what am I missing?' I quickly went online and most were similar. The cards were BS as was the commentary. Where do they get these people from?

[p4pking]

I thought it was basically even before the KO, but also a pretty underwhelming fight. Canelo was clearly so much stronger and fresher, Kovalev was doing a good job controlling distance but didn't have any real intention to do more than that in order to avoid taking punches. He can't really take any punishment now and he fought like a guy that knew it the whole way. A rematch would be completely pointless, Kovalev wouldn't want it anyways. I highly doubt Canelo stays at 175, suspect he and his camp thought this would be an easier task than it was. There are a few good opponents for him at 168 also.

[Fatboxingfan]

Kove chin has no resistance anymore
Canelo is a real tenacious mofo
Kov landed nothing of note
Canelo axed him

[Fatboxingfan]

Kove chin has no resistance anymore
Canelo is a real tenacious mofo
Kov landed nothing of note
Canelo axed him
All she wrote

[Fenster]

Did anyone else instantly think Toney-Nunn? Fuck me, Kovalev even went face first over the ropes like Nunn. Talk about history repeating itself.

I had it even, however, always thought the little man was in charge. Anyone who had him way behind should give him credit for spectacularly turning it around. And also credit to Canelo for recognising Kovalev was limp and needed help.

[Alpha]

Ward seems happy in retirement, but would he return for a Canelo clash at 175 or Cruiser?

[Spicoli]

Took me 10 minutes to get a reply window ffs. Damn good thing we're so stubborn! Great close by Canelo. Kov showed good discipline but crumpled like a pile of dry tree leaves. Good scrap. Usyk v Canelo..just make the fight

[Gandalf]

I had Kovalev significantly up. The early rounds were easily won by dictating the fight with distance and an effective jab. Canelo was doing little. Then as the fight warmed up both had their moments, but I still felt Kov was winning his share of rounds. Something was off for me with the weird card they kept showing and the punch stats. It didn't seem to reflect what I saw which was Kovalev mostly fighting on his terms. Not always effectively, but on his terms. You cannot argue with a knock out, but he got sloppy and paid a price.

Kovalev deserves a rematch as he didn't have a full camp and then the weight clause and still he was significantly up at the time of stoppage (though I am sure the cards will say otherwise). I think Kovalev should have made use of his power early, but clearly he has been told to go the Gatti way which is to only box. He could probably have got Canelo's attention early and made it a different fight, but he was still the much better boxer. It was just that Canelo did so little he was fresher at the end and hadn't really been battered. Kovalev worked harder and obviously showed the effects of a shortened preparation.

Like with the other stoppage he can return and outbox Canelo over 12, but doubt it will ever happen.