Sergey Kovalev defends his WBA, IBF, & WBO titles against mandatory challenger Nadjib Mohammedi

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Sergey Kovalev, 27-0-1 (24 KO) my favourite fighter in boxing, will be defending his titles against his mandatory challenger Nadjib Mohammedi, 37-3 (23 KO) on July 25th in Vegas. HBO is televising.

Kovalev is definitely the hardest puncher in boxing, and has looked nothing short of superb every single time I've seen him fight. What's amazing is that he is more than just a puncher though, he has proven to be an intelligent boxer who fights with a gameplan, employs a solid defense, and has great footwork and speed. He's my favourite boxer and he really looks almost flawless at this point.

Kovalev has left Florida and has been training in Big Bear, CA for this fight, and there's been speculation that he may be changing trainers. It's unclear if his former trainer - John David Jackson - will be in his corner for this fight. Sergey is supposed to be working with Russian coaches and has also stated in the future he would like to fight more in Russia.

I don't know much about his opponent - Mohammedi, an Arab from France - and I've never seen him fight. Looking at his record, he is coming in off a KO streak but in the past has shown chin issues. Because of that, it's very difficult to imagine him being competitive in this fight. His record seems to indicate he's pretty good, but unfortunately for him, "pretty good" won't be good enough VS Kovalev. Too bad for him, because he might have had a chance VS Stevenson.

Kovalev should make short work of his mandatory challenger. I'll be very surprised if Mohammedi makes it past round 6.

I'm going to be heading up to Banff, like I usually do, to watch this fight live. I can't wait, every time Kovalev fights it's awesome.

Thoughts/comments/predictions on this fight?

Press conference staredown:
[video=youtube;E6Tc8RF9u1c]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6Tc8RF9u1c[/video]
 

whiteathlete33

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Sergey Kovalev, 27-0-1 (24 KO) my favourite fighter in boxing, will be defending his titles against his mandatory challenger Nadjib Mohammedi, 37-3 (23 KO) on July 25th in Vegas. HBO is televising.

Kovalev is definitely the hardest puncher in boxing, and has looked nothing short of superb every single time I've seen him fight. What's amazing is that he is more than just a puncher though, he has proven to be an intelligent boxer who fights with a gameplan, employs a solid defense, and has great footwork and speed. He's my favourite boxer and he really looks almost flawless at this point.

Kovalev has left Florida and has been training in Big Bear, CA for this fight, and there's been speculation that he may be changing trainers. It's unclear if his former trainer - John David Jackson - will be in his corner for this fight. Sergey is supposed to be working with Russian coaches and has also stated in the future he would like to fight more in Russia.

I don't know much about his opponent - Mohammedi, an Arab from France - and I've never seen him fight. Looking at his record, he is coming in off a KO streak but in the past has shown chin issues. Because of that, it's very difficult to imagine him being competitive in this fight. His record seems to indicate he's pretty good, but unfortunately for him, "pretty good" won't be good enough VS Kovalev. Too bad for him, because he might have had a chance VS Stevenson.

Kovalev should make short work of his mandatory challenger. I'll be very surprised if Mohammedi makes it past round 6.

I'm going to be heading up to Banff, like I usually do, to watch this fight live. I can't wait, every time Kovalev fights it's awesome.

Thoughts/comments/predictions on this fight?

Press conference staredown:
[video=youtube;E6Tc8RF9u1c]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6Tc8RF9u1c[/video]

Where have you heard he is changing trainers? I assume John David Jackson may have possibly left him because of his "racist" comments regarding Stevenson.
 
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Where have you heard he is changing trainers? I assume John David Jackson may have possibly left him because of his "racist" comments regarding Stevenson.

John David Jackson seems to always be supportive of Kovalev which is awesome, and how a trainer should be. Actually it seemed to me like it is Kovalev who is the one trying to terminate the working relationship with Jackson.

http://www.boxingscene.com/kovalev-update-team-changes-mohammedi-russia--89096

In the above article Kovalev talks about adding a trainer from Russia that worked with him in the amateurs. Maybe it never materialized? I'm not sure.

I've also read, I can't remember exactly where, that he is looking to be fighting more in Russia and possibly training in Russia which would mean he would likely change trainers. If he worked in Big Bear for this camp, I'm not sure that it was Jackson who trained him.

It seems uncertain at this point.
 

whiteathlete33

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John David Jackson seems to always be supportive of Kovalev which is awesome, and how a trainer should be. Actually it seemed to me like it is Kovalev who is the one trying to terminate the working relationship with Jackson.

http://www.boxingscene.com/kovalev-update-team-changes-mohammedi-russia--89096

In the above article Kovalev talks about adding a trainer from Russia that worked with him in the amateurs. Maybe it never materialized? I'm not sure.

I've also read, I can't remember exactly where, that he is looking to be fighting more in Russia and possibly training in Russia which would mean he would likely change trainers. If he worked in Big Bear for this camp, I'm not sure that it was Jackson who trained him.

It seems uncertain at this point.

Thanks for the update BS2! I like John David Jackson, though of of course he will protect his "cash cow". Let's see how this turns out.
 

Wes Woodhead

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Kovalev trained in Big Bear for the Hopkins bout, and Jackson was the head trainer then. If there is a split between Kovalev, and Jackson then it is DEFINITELY because of his "racist" remarks. No matter what the official story might be.
 

werewolf

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Looking at the quality of Mohammedi's opponents, this should be a quick KO for K.
 

NWsoccerfan

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Looking at the quality of Mohammedi's opponents, this should be a quick KO for K.
I think so too. Mohammedi has a few somewhat impressive wins, but hasn't beaten anyone above a B level really. Kovalev has a complete arsenal and should get this guy out of there inside 6-7 rounds.
 
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Gonzalez dominated Pascal but judges must have been snoozing!

Not sure about that, I caught the last half of the fight, seemed to me Pascal was landing the better shots. From the half I saw, Id say Pascal was getting the better of it. Admittedly I didnt see the first half.

Doesnt matter much anyway. Kovalev KOs both of them on the same night.
 

werewolf

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Not sure about that, I caught the last half of the fight, seemed to me Pascal was landing the better shots. From the half I saw, Id say Pascal was getting the better of it. Admittedly I didnt see the first half.

Doesnt matter much anyway. Kovalev KOs both of them on the same night.



Gonzalez dominated the first half. An honest boxing judge decision in Las Vegas? Please. The most corrupt sport in the world in the most corrupt city in the world.

"Doesnt matter much anyway. Kovalev KOs both of them on the same night."

True.
 

Wes Woodhead

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3rd round KO. Sergay is the best pound for pound without question.
 
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