"Breadman" Edwards says Kovalev is a top 15 light heavyweight ever

[ShoulderRoll]

Do you agree, does he crack your top 15 all-time 175 lber list?

[DuckAdonis]

Probably...I thought he clearly beat Ward the first time so he is up there in a personal list

[deanrw]

Do you agree, does he crack your top 15 all-time 175 lber list?

At his peak he was very good, where he stands is anyone's guess but I am old enough to remember the 70's and 80s Light Heavy's and there were many phenomenal fighters. The 90s had plenty good ones also and possibly had the greatest lt heavy of all time in Jones Jr.


Maybe top 25 for me? I have a hard time even giving that as 175 has always been a talented division.

[ShoulderRoll]

At his peak he was very good, where he stands is anyone's guess but I am old enough to remember the 70's and 80s Light Heavy's and there were many phenomenal fighters. The 90s had plenty good ones also and possibly had the greatest lt heavy of all time in Jones Jr.


Maybe top 25 for me? I have a hard time even giving that as 175 has always been a talented division.

This is a weight class that has been graced by the likes of:

Sam Langford,
Maxie Rosenbloom
Tommy Loughran
Harry Greb
Gene Tunney
Billy Conn
Archie Moore
Ezzard Charles
Bob Foster
Matthew Saad Muhammad
Michael Spinks
Roy Jones

I'm probably forgetting a few others as well. Off the top of my head I want to say that Kovalev doesn't make the top 15.

It would be a high honor to be in that company.

[Tom Cruise]

This is a weight class that has been graced by the likes of:

Sam Langford,
Maxie Rosenbloom
Tommy Loughran
Harry Greb
Gene Tunney
Billy Conn
Archie Moore
Ezzard Charles
Bob Foster
Matthew Saad Muhammad
Michael Spinks
Roy Jones

I'm probably forgetting a few others as well. Off the top of my head I want to say that Kovalev doesn't make the top 15.

It would be a high honor to be in that company.

Yeah agreed. Kovalev is good, but LHW, like all the original 8 divisions (barring maybe HW) is insanely deep historically. You have to be very special to make it near the top.

Late career unifications could be huge for his standing though if he can manage it

[HOUDINI563]

Kovalev cant “take it” which is an expectation for an elite fighter.

[billeau2]

Kovalev has to do something while he is still fighting. I could go down Shoulder Roll's wonderful list and say something good about virtually every guy on it... And regarding the notion of talent expressed by posters? what about guys like Michael Moore, who managed to beat Holy? cause there are plenty of guys in the division who beat heavyweights... Guys like Foster who could punch with the force of a heavyweight... The question becomes can Kovalev move up and fight low hanging fruit in the heavyweight division? Can he fight other guys and show domination of the division? Time will tell.

[BM dnobagaV]

Very good fighter at his peak. Unfortunate decisions against Ward.

Depends on his late career. Beating 2/4 Smith, Beterbiev, Browne, or Gvoz would raise his standing considerably.

[QueensburyRules]

Kovalev cant “take it” which is an expectation for an elite fighter.

--- Sure took it to alvarez and son of Gollum who was one of the most swaddled boxers in history.

For a Russian or any of the former Soviet states to come to America and make the splash they have shows more fighting acumen and daring than your larded darlings do these days.

Canelo and PAC currently the two most popular fighters in their countries and the US have endured countless dismissive slurs against them on forums even to this day.

American behinds still steaming after getting whipped!

[HOUDINI563]

No. The issue has nothing to do with nationality. We all know you favor European over American and white over black. I have no such prejudice.

Simple fact is Kovalev is excellent when he is in charge but is not durable when being hit and hurt.

He steamrolled through competition and all the newbies were talking as if he could beat Moore or Foster. True ATG that fully proved themselves. The true test of a knowledgeable boxing fan/historian is not to jump to conclusions but to be patient until all the boxes are checked. Kovalev has not checked all the boxes.