What was your scorecard at the time of the Kov-Canelo fight stoppage?

[Master]

It seems it is easier for Canelo to relax and take his time, not having to worry or stress about judges not scoring for him, than most other boxers who do not have that privilege.

Had it 8-2 Kov

[powerpuncher]

I had it 7-3 for Kovalev. I thought a draw was the best you could have it. Kovalev dictated most of the fight pretty clearly. I thought maybe it was just bias, but I found many boxing experts and fans who agreed with me. Canelo didn’t throw much and didn’t land many big shots despite the commentators acting as if every shot was monstrous.

Kovalev and his trainer knew that he was damaged goods so they fought extra cautious. I won’t get into Canelo’s advantages for the fight, but needless to say, Kovalev’s chin is completely gone at this point. The shot he got hit with wasn’t that big and it’s not like he was getting blasted with shots all night.

Overall it was a legit win for Canelo, but what we all see at the end is exactly why they picked Kovalev to fight.

[p4pking]

Wasn't carefully keeping score, just felt it was about even and that there wasn't much in most of the rounds. It was clear as day Kovalev didn't want it to become a fight and was playing keep away, I also thought Canelo was way to patient considering so. Expected the scorecards to be more lopsided for Canelo at the time of the stoppage, but was fine with how the judges had it and I think Canelo knew he had to turn it up as the stoppage didn't just come to him as he had hoped. Not sure why Kovalev was talking about fighting on, he must have been paid nicely for that and he is finished.

[Ron Swanson]

I think many score with their hatred of Clanelo, maybe Klanvelev was slightly up but it seems to be ignored that the combination with :57 left in the round culminating with the chopping right with :54 left in the round staggered Klanvelev. It’s really no surprise he was KOed soon after.

At some point Clanelo has to get respect for having BY FAR the best resume in the game. Some debatable decisions but you get that when you fight SO MANY top guys.

Would love to see a more talented fighter like Loma or Crawford start fighting the quality opponents like Clanelo does.(without stacking the deck as Clanelo does)

[Spicoli]

Had it 7-3 for Kovalez as well at the time of the stoppage. Talk of Kovalez fighting like a terrified fragile little ol man is a bit much but in fairness he did collapse like the ceiling fell in on him. He was boxing behind the jab maybe preserving a lead and working a smart plan, it happens after all. It was known he could be a disciplined boxer going in regardless of all the 'Krusher' stuff. Canelo has matured to be pretty methodical and calculating but he was pretty straight line and the vaunted body attack was largely left back at the hotel suite. Loved the conclusion either way as clearly it was headed to yet another three blind mice iffy reading of the cards. Didn't think it was so boring and the feel of 'just a matter of time before he gets clipped' never really kicked it, probably one of the more sudden and rapid turn arounds I can remember lately and all credit to Canelo for lowering the boom.

[powerpuncher]

I think many score with their hatred of Clanelo, maybe Klanvelev was slightly up but it seems to be ignored that the combination with :57 left in the round culminating with the chopping right with :54 left in the round staggered Klanvelev. It’s really no surprise he was KOed soon after.

At some point Clanelo has to get respect for having BY FAR the best resume in the game. Some debatable decisions but you get that when you fight SO MANY top guys.

Would love to see a more talented fighter like Loma or Crawford start fighting the quality opponents like Clanelo does.(without stacking the deck as Clanelo does)

Agreed about Loma but Crawford cleaned out his division and is wanting to clean out welterweight too. Crawford could jump up and weight drain J rock and beat him too. I’m more hoping that other welters will actually fight him.

It’s easy to get the fights you want when you are giving everyone their biggest payday and you dictate all of the terms. So I agree that he does have a better resume, but as I’ve said many times before, there are a handful of fighters that could do the same thing or even better if given the same opportunities.

Canelo is really good, but I would much rather him just clean out a division instead of jumping around and picking and choosing who he gets to fight to make “history.”

[THE THIRD MAN]

96 - 94 Kovalev...

[Gandalf]

It seems the consensus is that Kovalev was up by between 2 to 6 points with a few arguing it was even. Nobody had Canelo up. I still think Kovalev fought a strange fight and something about it all felt a bit off for me. I can understand wanting to use a jab, but only the jab and not jab to the body more and not to use it with any degree of force at all?

Something about it doesn't sit right with me. Was Kovalev gun shy after being hurt again in the last fight and being stopped a year before that too? Was he scared about his stamina? If so it is strange as Canelo has stamina issues and if pounded to the body or head would have had to take note himself. I won't say fix, but it was odd and even with that oddness Kovalev was still winning the fight handily by sparring and seemingly not trying to hurt his opponent.

He seemed too happy before and after and maybe he is at peace and was happy with the payday and knows his time is up. I hope it wasn't the case, but it would have been nice to see some intensity and to try a few different looks. It was a weird latter day Wlad style showing. Effective, but kind of underwhelming.

[Yuzo]

needless to say, Kovalev’s chin is completely gone at this point. The shot he got hit with wasn’t that big and it’s not like he was getting blasted with shots all night.

the funny thing about the hook that hurt him was canelo never turned the punch over. he hit him with his palm. you dont see guys hurt by a palm strike a lot.