Sergey Kovalev returns to Saul Alvarez after a tough loss. In 2019, Canelo was in no rush to go anywhere, but still won by knockout. In 2022, Kovalev returns, fighting in a new category against a larger opponent where victory is ten times more important.

How realistic it is for him to return without going to the Knockout is an interesting question.

The last time Sergey boxed was almost three years ago. Even then he looked like a former boxer

At a certain period of his career, Sergey Kovalev turned from a man who crushed and intimidated the light heavyweight to a champion who constantly complained about his fate. Either Andre Ward offended him or you can’t tell the judges.

These two defeats in a row broke Kovalev and most likely put an end to the “Crusher”, which in Sergei’s dreams was supposed to scare American children. He is a good boxer, but he did not attract the most elite of his generation. However, for some reason this situation demoralized the Russians.

Two mediocre victories followed, against the Ukrainian Vyacheslav Shabransky and the Russian Igor Mikhalkin. Opponents that a boxer like Kovalev had to beat, and again a far cry from puncher Eleider Alvarez. Then Kovalev came back, but then it became quite clear that he was everything.

The title belonged to Sergey, but he took out more than the skills of the new coach and what he had all his life. The new coach forced the veteran to train in moderation, box sensibly and not push things. So Alvarez was defeated in a rematch and Anthony Yarde – an awkward knockout after one punch.

But Canelo failed. And not to say that the Russians failed in the duel against the Mexicans. Kovalev shot well, moved, attacked, but the inevitability of Saul’s actions caught his opponent from round to round. As the three minutes approached the championship, Sergey was tired of running and Alvarez had just stepped up. In the eleventh round, first the left side, then the right straight, finished the Russians on the ropes.

This took Kovalev out of boxing for more than two years. Now – back to the ring, but a strange role. For some reason, Sergey decided to change the category – to go to cruiser weight, where the guys were heavier, larger and stronger. They can park in most heavyweights and don’t feel bad there. And the Russian, as you can immediately understand, is not heavy at all.

Kovalev has never been a very sensible boxer, but you can find logic here. First of all, it is money. Triller is overpaying and Sergey described his goals as:

“The thing that motivates me in boxing above all else is money,” he said.

Then it is clear and there are no questions.

So who is your favorite in the fight?

Tervel Pulev is a good amateur. He has a bronze medal at the London Olympics and many strong victories there. London did not bow to Tervel because of two precious words – Oleksandr Usyk. Bulgaria lost in the semi-finals with a score of 21:5. He also lost to the Ukrainian in 2011, where Usyk took the gold of the World Championship. Pulev didn’t work with Usyk, what can you do.

In professionals, their success does not even come close to Kovalev. He wasn’t a champion, he didn’t beat anyone serious. The recording is excellent. 16 wins with zero losses and thirteen knockouts. But let’s be honest, Kubrat’s brother has never seriously beaten anyone. Unlike Russians There you can share your experience with three such Bullets.

However, everything else is on the Bulgarian side. He’s taller, has longer arms and is bigger than Kovalev. Fresh – not dragged around the ring and not as hard and beaten as a Russian.

As for the technical conflict, it is not clear. On the one hand, Kovalev is a good boxer. And now and 75 years old. There is a punch, punch, defense. If he’s in the mood, he’s disciplined enough. The bronze medalist of the Olympics, on the other hand, is not a kid to play in the sandbox. Pulev was not tested in the pros, but therefore he is unlikely to forget about boxing.

Both are already old – each is 39 years old, but if Sergey’s career is on the decline, Pulev can jump on the championship train with a victory and finally find something. But the freshness and dimensions can give Kovalev real pain.

Surprisingly interesting duel with intrigue. Even the bookies do not know what to do – they both give 1.87.

Sergey Kovalev v Tervel Pulev will take place on Sunday, May 15, in Inglewood (USA).