We can thank Adonis Stevenson for this preview: Sergey Kovalev vs. Jean Pascal
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We can thank Adonis Stevenson for this preview: Sergey Kovalev vs. Jean Pascal By Joseph “The Mad Boxing Genius” Torres, Doghouse Boxing (March 12, 2015) TweetFollow @DoghouseBoxing
Video Below: Sergey Kovalev vs Jean Pascal Face-Off Altercation.
We can thank Adonis Stevenson for this preview: Sergey Kovalev vs. Jean Pascal
By: Joseph “The Mad Boxing Genius” Torres
There’s an old belief that opportunities are never lost. Because if you miss one or even waste one, there’ll be someone right behind you to take it.
And that hasn’t been more evident in the world of professional boxing than in the current light-heavyweight landscape.
Adonis Stevenson, who was arguably the “The Man” at 175lbs. not that long ago, has seen his stock deteriorate at the speed of light. Because of several “business decisions” he’s made, he has not been able (or not willing depending on who you ask) to capitalize on any of the in-ring achievements that crowned him The Ring’s “Fighter of the Year of 2013” (defeating four opponents that includes Chad Dawson and Tavoris Cloud).
This once emerging superstar is quickly gaining a reputation as an uber talented fighter who now just wasting his talent like so many others before him.
In 2014, Stevenson was in negotiations to face Sergey Kovalev, another titleholder who is considered his equal in the division. A win would have catapulted him into the upper echelon of boxing’s absolute elite. However, Stevenson decided to jump ship from the HBO network over to Showtime to instead negotiate a fight with the “Ageless Wonder” Bernard Hopkins - missed opportunity number one for Stevenson.
And, although Hopkins was more than game, for reasons that only he knows for sure, Stevenson balked again - missed opportunity number two.
Leaving two high profile, life-altering, career defining and big money fights on the table, nothing was actually wasted though.
As Stevenson toyed around with two of the biggest names in the division, Hopkins and Kovalev decided to make a fight between themselves (which Kovalev won by UD).
Now, you’d think after being left out in the cold, one would be more determined than ever to bounce back harder than before and make up for lost time and income. But this wasn’t the case as Stevenson turned down another huge showdown with fellow Haitian-born Canadian fighter in Jean Pascal - missed opportunity three.
But as stated before, opportunities are never lost because the man known as “Superman” will yet again be left out in the cold as his loss becomes two men’s gain.
This Saturday night, Jean Pascal and Sergey Kovalev are facing off against each other, in what is easily one of the most interesting fights in boxing for this year.
Kovalev is the unified IBF, WBA and WBO champion. He’s one of boxing’s pound for pound most devastating punchers, 26-0-1 (23 KO’s). What made this man so devastating in the past is his power.
But after his most recent fight against future Hall of Famer Hopkins, he showed that he can follow a game plan. He’s not a one trick pony power puncher. He’s a maturing fighter. And to couple his natural abilities with his ever growing boxing IQ, it becomes an even scarier feat for any opponent who dares tries to tame this Russian beast.
As for Pascal, the former lineal champ at 175lbs comes in with significantly more experience, athleticism, speed and skill-set, 29-2-1 (17 KO’s). He has the ability to do what Hopkins couldn’t do - which is keep him off balance, counter punch, and simply outbox and outsmart the defending champion. He also possess more than enough power of his own to earn the respect of the man known as “Krusher” if he tries to muscle him.
Now, I know this isn’t Kovalev vs Stevenson. And no, we’re not getting Pascal vs Stevenson. We’re not getting Stevenson period. But what we are getting Kovalev vs Pascal. And that’s more than enough for any real boxing fan to schedule their Saturday night around.
