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How Would Sergey Kovalev Stack Up Against the Magical 1980’s Era in the Light Heavyweight Division?

UEFA Women's Under 17's DrawBy Donny Lalonde

I like watching Sergey fight! He is very exciting and takes risks. He is open enough to be in a good fight and has the internal fortitude needed for this style. Because he has limited experience, I am a bit handicapped in supposing wars against the likes of Dwight Braxton, Mathew Saad Muhammad, Virgil Hill, Leslie Stewart, Marvin Johnson, Michael Moorer, Prince Charles Williams, Bobby Czyz…… and dare I say Donny Lalonde.

From the limited exposure of seeing Sergey in fights with great fighters, I envision an 80’s Virgil Hill outpointing Sergey. Marvin Johnson maybe a bit too exposed and Sergey may get him out of there but he hasn’t had a chance to show his durability like we know Marvin has, not to mention heart, chin, conditioning, etc.
Leslie Stewart did not show to be so durable and it appears Kovalev may have enough to get him out of there.

Michael Moorer has had a phenomenal career, both as a heavyweight and a light heavyweight. At this point in his career, Sergey doesn’t have the skills or the ability to absorb a Moorer level of physicality in a long hard fight which that would be. If it took 10 rounds for Foreman, one of the greatest punchers of all time, to stop Moorer and the fighters he beat and was able to out gut at light heavyweight, I have to go with Moorer in this one as well. Like a Braxton or a Prince Charles Williams or Bobby Czyz, I see these guys as too strong and technically skilled to lose to a Kovalev at this point….

Let me stress that I love to watch Sergey fight. I feel he has a lot more to show us but has not yet had the chance. His fight against Hopkins was impressive but Bernard makes it hard to look great even if winning every round. Sergey was as competitive against Hopkins as anyone ever was, and that is saying a lot. Bernard’s age takes a bit off of that and until we see Sergey against some live young legend types, it will be hard to give him the credit he may be worthy of against this crew.

I pick Sergey to dominate and eliminate what appears to be an past his prime Jean Pascal, that would be a good start toward his adding credible names to his résumé. A loss to Pascal would be a huge set back. Both are very good fighters.

Lalonde Vs Kovalev? Sergey is a very physically strong fighter and my body has taken a beating over the years. I had stamina and the ability to take a punch as evident when I fought Czyz with a broken forearm. I feel Sergey would be too physically strong for me and he may have stopped me or it may have been a long night as in the Hamsho fight, but Sergey is a better fighter than Hamsho was when I fought him, and he hits much harder. I would pick Kovalev over me in this one due to styles. He has a clever way of getting in his power punches and brutal physicality. My fight with Willie Edwards comes to mind. I may do well for most of the fight, but it may not have ended so pretty for me.

(Publishers Note: The Team at RSR prides ourselves on always being honest, and telling it just like we see it. I encourage that amongst the ranks. Well, Donny just proved that and more is this outstanding article….)

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