Saul Alvarez Vs Sergey Kovalev: Staff Picks

For the third week in a row, boxing fans are treated to a superb high-level clash between two top-of-the-game talents as Canelo Alvarez challenges Sergey Kovalev.

Alvarez looks to add to his legacy by stepping up to light heavyweight against a dangerous, hard-punching opponent. Kovalev will be wanting to answer some questions that have recently been asked about his mentality and his potential fragility as age catches up to him.

Join the Fight Site team as we make our predictions below.

Lukasz Fenrych

I’ve had a last minute change of heart on this one. After believing all since the fight was announced until yesterday that the size and weight jump wouldn’t be that big a deal, and Canelo would find his way to Kovalev’s body often enough to wear him down, I’ve suddenly decided that actually Canelo will find the pop on Kovalev’s punches a bit harder to just deal with than we believe, and will either find himself broken up a bit throughout the fight, or the constant effort (although his tank is by no means bad Canelo has become an excellent manager of stamina, not necessarily a guy with excellent stamina) of getting to Kovalev while staying safe will start to drain him and Kovalev will take over later. That’s not dismissing Canelo’s chances at all, all his skills and toughness are still there and I’m not at all sure about this pick, but nonetheless, I will go with Kovalev by UD

Taylor Higgins

I’m still picking Canelo, but the weigh-ins yesterday were interesting. I thought Canelo came in slightly heavier than anticipated, and that extra mass may very well have an impact on his stamina (as Lukasz alluded to) as well as his speed. That being said, Kovalev also struggled with making weight which isn’t particularly promising, and the rehydration clause that Canelo has managed to sneak in under the radar will benefit the Mexican. As impressed as I was with Canelo making the jump from middleweight to light-heavyweight for this one, he’s pulled some sneaky A-Side bullshit and should be called out on it. Canelo will look to utilise his excellent upper body movement to slip Kovalev’s jab and get inside, but that may put him in the path of the right hand so it’ll be interesting to see whether he can handle the power of a big puncher at 175lbs. I have a feeling that he can, mainly because his thick build affords him extraordinary durability. Whilst some have questioned whether Canelo can hurt Kovalev, he’ll still be able to break the Russian down with consistent and well-placed shots to the body. If Alvarez can weather an early storm, I think his investment in body-shots will pay dividends late and Kovalev will fold once Canelo switches his attack to the head. Canelo by KO in the championship rounds

Philippe Pocholle Marchetti

If that fight would have been made three years ago, I would have picked Krusher without a doubt. Now of course, everything has changed. The first thing we have to mention is the size difference. I really don’t think it will be a problem for Canelo to fight a longer opponent. Yes, Kovalev’s best weapon is his jab but he’s just not consistent with it anymore and Canelo showed us in the Triple G rematch how good he was at countering jabs. So I can see Canelo getting past the jab and working Kovalev mid section all night. My only question is how Canelo on the other hand will deal with Kovalev’s power if he eats one too many right hand (or uppercut as he tries to slips the jabs). Kovalev is old but he still can punch. He also has that bad reputation of being a quitter but I don’t buy it. I think Kovalev will win some early rounds, and rocked Canelo before the seventh round but I can see the Mexican rallying big and finishing strong. Canelo by close Unanimous Decision