Sergei Kovalev won again without noticing the opponent – RBC

Sergey Kovalev won again without noticing the opponent

«If you ask for – give!” – Sergei Kovalev said after the fight with Jean Pascal nearly a year ago. Despite the beating in the first fight, and to put it mildly, questionable reductive duel with Cuban Yuneski Gonzalez, former world champion by the WBC he continued to ask for a rematch, which no one was needed. Even him. But Kovalev could not refuse.

The fact that the fight with the boxer of the top five of their weight was initially seen as a formality – it is a plus champion and record the level to which reduced his opponents. Pascal, how do you it does not include this mark of quality and the measurement of the seriousness of the claim and the value of ambition – at least in the light heavyweight division. When such an opponent is considered to be continuous, which means that the champion himself crossed certain limits, given its category.

Sergey Kovalev for a long time is not measured by the standards of the division in which he acts, and throughout professional boxing and dozens its best representatives. In the light heavyweight Sergey have someone to meet, but these meetings (vs. Andre Ward and Adonis Stevenson), if they take place, also turned its weight.

Pascal is expected to grow themselves last year, but he did It did not work, even with Freddie Roach. This was predictable, and this determines the character of the whole match, as well as expectations from him. From Sergei expect a bright victory of Pascal – inevitable, but beautiful defeat. But if Kovalev has surpassed the expectations of the Francophone clearly not justified.

The fight went completely one-sided, and Pascal, from which Kovalev squeezed all the juice back in March of last year, sad and helpless. But it’s not his fault, but the merit of Sergei, who even in the face of limited opponent could find an opportunity for a pleasant surprise. In terms of pure boxing, it was perhaps his best performance.

Something like we saw in the fight with Hopkins: full control of all the variables, the systematic, unilateral producing pressure in compliance with all the canons of classic boxing. Kovalev throughout the match and prevented the Canadian breathe – is not free, but in general – terrorized and tugged him to the point of exhaustion. The only difference is that Pascal is not Hopkins, and a resistance like Santa in it, although the strength of Jean still decent.

During the whole match bidder failed to win a single segment, could neither never to surprise the champion and take it out of your comfort zone. Kovalev also dominated, showing why it is now called the old school still of yesterday. Her new stronghold in the day today. And the fact that a victory by knockout is reached – because of this defeat host ring surrender “in the chair” looks even more humiliating. To the delight of Sergei, who teach the good will utter filth Pascal before the fight.

The Revenge of Canadians should be considered as something self-sufficient and point (albeit from a very low value). For this fight it was not and could not have any career consequences. Just fight in which it was necessary to look good, and that is precisely what has made and Kovalev – fear Adonis Stevenson and review Andre Ward. Casting made and seal affixed – now waiting for feedback. After the presentation, it may not be.