Boxing_News__November_24_2017

the best
upcoming fights
PREVIEWSPreviewing
around the world
Photos: TOM HOGAN/HOGAN PHOTOS/ROC NATION SPORTS
★★★★★ OUTSTANDING ★★★★ GOOD ★★★ FAIR ★★ DISAPPOINTING ★ RUBBISH
The star ratings indicate how well the writer believes the fighters match up, the fight(s)’ contextual significance, and how good the fight(s) will be
IT’S TIME TO REBOUND:
Kovalev is desperate to get
back into the win column
DAMAGE LIMITATION
Kovalev’s
future
hangs in
the balance
following
back-to-back
losses to
Ward, writes
Chris Walker
★★★
★★★
MAIN EVENT
UNDERCARD
HO knows how
W
Sergey Kovalev
is feeling heading
into Saturday’s
(November
25) meeting
with Ukraine’s
Vyacheslav Shabranskyy? The aura of
invincibility that surrounded the Russian
for 31 fights was craftily removed by
Andre Ward a year ago, and then the
same man obliterated whatever was left
when the pair met again in June.
Such losses can leave scars on such
seemingly indestructible fighters. On the
other hand, Kovalev may watch the first
contest and believe that shoddy judging
let him down. And he may sit down and
study his second clash with the Oakland
native and remain convinced that he
was hit low several times before being
stopped in round eight. This weekend,
inside The Theater at Madison Square
Garden, could provide the answer.
Joining Kovalev in a battle for his
old WBO title at 175lbs (now vacant)
is Shabrankskyy. The Eastern European
pair enter this bout at different stages
of their careers. Kovalev has occupied a
lofty position at light-heavyweight since
becoming world champion in 2013, but
his reputation was fearsome well before
that coronation versus Nathan Cleverly,
when he punished the Welshman
viciously for four rounds.
Sergey’s reign brought impressive
wins against high-level opponents like
Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal (twice)
– as well as three world crowns. His
double setback against Ward underlined
weaknesses in Kovalev though, including
his lack of ability fighting on the inside,
and the vulnerability of his midsection to
a sharp blow [detailed by former trainer
John David Jackson on page 5]. Ward was
able to exploit Kovalev in both areas, but
does that mean Shabranskyy can?
The evidence renders this scenario
highly unlikely. Through 20 contests,
mainly facing average opposition,
Shabranskyy has looked devastating at
times, but his sole loss to Sullivan Barrera
(seventh-round KO) highlighted alarming
deficiencies. The Cuban’s accuracy in
December was outstanding as he hurt
Shabranskyy several times before the
corner and referee united to prevent any
further punishment. Round after round,
Barrera landed freely and Shabranskyy
26 l BOXING NEWS l NOVEMBER 23, 2017 www.boxingnewsonline.net