Via Dan Ambrose: Former light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev believes 175-lb WBA champion Dmitry Bivol can win over Canelo Alvarez on May 7 because he is “new” and he has plenty of time to “get ready”. ” for their fight two months from now.
Kovalev, 38, contrasts Bivol’s time (19-0, 11 KOs) with the rush of work he had to deal with when he battled Canelo in November 2019, just three months after the fierce fight with Anthony Yarde in August of that year .
Kovalev had to go back to training camp right after his tough fight with Yarde, and he looked exhausted for the battle with Canelo. Canelo took advantage of the weakened Kovalev and stopped him in round 11.
After two and a half years out of the ring, former IBF/WBA/WBO 175-lb champion Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 KOs) will face Tervel Pulev (16-0, 13 KOs) in a 10-fight round of divisional matches. cruiser on May 14 at the Forum in Inglewood, California.
Bivol’s undefeated record is something he will be motivated to defend, Kovalev said. Given Bivol’s undefeated record and WBA title, he will fight hard to try and keep both games against Canelo.
Additionally, a win for 31-year-old Bivol would increase his chances of earning a lucrative rematch with Canelo. If Bivol loses, he will likely never get another chance against Canelo unless the contest results are controversial.
Kovalev: New Bivol and ready for Canelo
“I don’t like to make predictions, but I’m happy for Dmitry [Bivol] because right now, he’s new, he hasn’t fought in a long time and is ready for the war,” said Sergey Kovalev to Fighthype in the preview of the fight between Canelo vs. Bivol on May 7.
“He has a lot of time to prepare, and he has great chance to get a win what i didn’t [against Canelo],” Kovalev said when discussing the time that Bivol had to prepare for Alvarez. “For now, I am happy for Dmitry, and good luck to him.
“It was a difference for me in both games,” Kovalev said, comparing the way he performed against Canelo to the way he performed against Andre Ward. “I fought Canelo with an empty energy pot.
“With Andre Ward, I appreciate him in coaching. I over-trained myself. Canelo is Canelo, and Andre Ward is Andre Ward. Everyone is different. They are boxers just like any boxer,” said Kovalev.
Kovalev was arguably the winner in his first matchup against Andre Ward in 2016. In their rematch, it looked like a series of fast-paced lows stopped Kovalev in round 1. /8 before the original player from Oakland, California.
Some fans feel that Kovalev was given a rough deal during his battle with Ward. Too bad neither of the contests took place in a neutral venue outside of the US
Dmitry can win
“I think Bivol has a great chance to win against Canelo, and that makes the fight very interesting for me and for all boxing fans,” Kovalev said.
“Bivol is undefeated and motivated because he has zero, and this will is a good motivation for him to save this zero. I can tell him good luck, and I believe he can get a win against Canelo“Kovalev said.
There’s a great chance Bivol can beat Canelo if he fights like he did in the best wins of his career against Joe Smith Jr. and Jean Pascal. Canelo looked unimpressive in his recent battles with Caleb Plant and Billy Joe Saunders in 2021.
Canelo’s work rate is low, and he has no mobility. He lunged forward with high protection and managed to close so he could throw heavy shots with full force. A boxer with the ability to move like Bivol would be a nightmare for Canelo.
