Weekend Action

Morning gents.

Don't know if this has been done yet but just wondering what peoples predictions are for this weekends big fights really and what they see happening with them.

The two in referring to is obviously Cleverley vs Krusher Kovalev and Darren Barker Vs Geale.

Im predicting a barnstormer with the Clev fight to be honest. This is a close as it gets to JC vs Lacy for Clev. Is kovalev just an over rated power puncher or is he a genuine contender against a champion who is yet unproven??

I think Cleverely will box clever n the first few rounds, working the body and throwing combinations. I think Kovalev will then tire and be taken out late on or lose on points. I see it as a coming out party for Nathan and a well respected victory.

Darren barker seems to have overcome his injury issues and in his last few fights has thrown some spite with his punches. Geale had good wins against Sturm and Mundine and looked good in doing so. Not the hardest puncher but tends to throw a hell of a lot of punches which Barker may struggle with down the stretch.

Im going for a Barker UD, i think technically he is the better "boxer" and hits that little bit harder.

Thoughts gents?

Cleverly by late kayo..........I'm not sold on Krusher and Clev has a great chin........Fancy him taking over late......

Hope he fights the winner of Bellew/Stevenson after.........

Barker by decision..............Good luck to the kid..

Wonder what all the hype is then Truss? Are we seeing a similar Lacy situation?? Quite a lot of people in this weeks predictor are picking Kovalev via EKO?

Im rooting for a Barker UD as well. Deserves it and would set up (potentially) a big fight domestically with either Murray or Macklin.

I picked Haye to beat Wlad...........

Explains why you're so down on him.

Shame you're not more tolerant...like, for example, ME!

The reason I'm down on him was the post fight conference and the manner of his defeat..

I picked Biggs to beat Tyson also.

I know but you need to try and be more understanding. This nasty streak doesn't become you no matter how hard you try and convince us otherwise.

Settle down and enjoy the Premiership...your lot might just get 2nd again...unless Chelsea implode and then the title is yours for the taking (or throwing away)

DAVE667 wrote:I know but you need to try and be more understanding. This nasty streak doesn't become you no matter how hard you try and convince us otherwise.

Settle down and enjoy the Premiership...your lot might just get 2nd again...unless Chelsea implode and then the title is yours for the taking (or throwing away)

Mate I'm not being nasty..........I'd rather have Haye as champion than the Klits......

It's just the guy is deluded..

Clev has shown a very poor defence in many of his fights. For me, it is all about how he shores that up early on against Kovalev. I have gone for Kovalev by KO, because I feel like Clev will get involved in a tear up and he has no power of his own. I also think he is poorly trained as I have seen no improvement since his very good performance against Morat. That said, I hope I am wrong.

Barker points! Come on Dazzler.

Not really, Audley is deluded. Haye has admitted he under-performed against Wlad and knows he needs to prove himself worthy of another shot. He's under no illusions that Fury is the ideal fighter to help him beat the K's (his soundbites that Fury's build mimics the K's is pure hyperbole for the cameras) but he's fully aware that beating him puts him in line for another shot at them.

As a fighter with a finite career that's also subject to the fickle hand of fate, I wouldn't be jumping up saying, "Hey give THIS guy the big pay day over me" and I suspect that whilst Haye knows it's hardly fair, he's also pragmatic enough to appreciate how boxing works.

Seanusarrilius wrote:Clev has shown a very poor defence in many of his fights. For me, it is all about how he shores that up early on against Kovalev. I have gone for Kovalev by KO, because I feel like Clev will get involved in a tear up and he has no power of his own. I also think he is poorly trained as I have seen no improvement since his very good performance against Morat. That said, I hope I am wrong.

Barker points! Come on Dazzler.

Agree about his training being poor...I have it on good authority that Clev's old man is a sycophantic knob jockey.

I think people maybe underestimating his chin a little....he was taking full blown shots from heavy weights in his last training camp and came through them fine.

Both Clev and Dazzling Daz to win by a 3 round UD.

Small Time wrote:

Seanusarrilius wrote:Clev has shown a very poor defence in many of his fights. For me, it is all about how he shores that up early on against Kovalev. I have gone for Kovalev by KO, because I feel like Clev will get involved in a tear up and he has no power of his own. I also think he is poorly trained as I have seen no improvement since his very good performance against Morat. That said, I hope I am wrong.

Barker points! Come on Dazzler.

Agree about his training being poor...I have it on good authority that Clev's old man is a sycophantic knob jockey.

I think people maybe underestimating his chin a little....he was taking full blown shots from heavy weights in his last training camp and came through them fine.

Both Clev and Dazzling Daz to win by a 3 round UD.

Here's hoping. I commend Clev for taking this and wish him the v best

Small Time wrote:

Seanusarrilius wrote:Clev has shown a very poor defence in many of his fights. For me, it is all about how he shores that up early on against Kovalev. I have gone for Kovalev by KO, because I feel like Clev will get involved in a tear up and he has no power of his own. I also think he is poorly trained as I have seen no improvement since his very good performance against Morat. That said, I hope I am wrong.

Barker points! Come on Dazzler.

Agree about his training being poor...I have it on good authority that Clev's old man is a sycophantic knob jockey.

I think people maybe underestimating his chin a little....he was taking full blown shots from heavy weights in his last training camp and came through them fine.

Both Clev and Dazzling Daz to win by a 3 round UD.

Good authority? You mean you heard it from someone in the pub, who had heard it from someone in the local chip shop, who had heard it in the post office from a guy who had heard it from next doors dog?

hampo171 wrote:

Small Time wrote:

Seanusarrilius wrote:Clev has shown a very poor defence in many of his fights. For me, it is all about how he shores that up early on against Kovalev. I have gone for Kovalev by KO, because I feel like Clev will get involved in a tear up and he has no power of his own. I also think he is poorly trained as I have seen no improvement since his very good performance against Morat. That said, I hope I am wrong.

Barker points! Come on Dazzler.

Agree about his training being poor...I have it on good authority that Clev's old man is a sycophantic knob jockey.

I think people maybe underestimating his chin a little....he was taking full blown shots from heavy weights in his last training camp and came through them fine.

Both Clev and Dazzling Daz to win by a 3 round UD.

Good authority? You mean you heard it from someone in the pub, who had heard it from someone in the local chip shop, who had heard it in the post office from a guy who had heard it from next doors dog?

Ah you have the same "moles" as I have I see  and the guy in the pub was pished so he may have said sick elephant  

Must admit the Cleverly fight has my intrigued. If Cleverly wins, and wins easily then people will talk down the victory and just say that Kovalev was overrated and hadn't fought anyone. I personally see him hitting the deck in first three rounds before going on to win on points.

Has the potential to be a great weekend for British boxing.

For Cleverly, it is, without doubt, the biggest test of his career so far and it really is very close to call. Fingers crossed for him, his career could really explode into life if he wins tomorrow.

As for Barker, my fingers are similarly crossed, and I think he is a favourite against Geale - Barker by UD for me.

Rule Britannia!

Geale 1/2

Barker 13/8..........

Just got back from Somerset

Have Clev tickets for tomorrow not far from ringside  

Steffan wrote:Just got back from Somerset

Have Clev tickets for tomorrow not far from ringside  

Be ready to jump out the way when Kovalev knocks him outta the ring then!

John Bloody Wayne wrote:

Steffan wrote:Just got back from Somerset

Have Clev tickets for tomorrow not far from ringside  

Be ready to jump out the way when Kovalev knocks him outta the ring then!

Bet you hope that happens hey

Just seen way in, Cleverley looks pumped and ready for it. Kovaloev looks calm composed and destructive. Interesting.

Still picking Kovaloev, but hoping for Cleverly

Steffan wrote:

John Bloody Wayne wrote:

Steffan wrote:Just got back from Somerset

Have Clev tickets for tomorrow not far from ringside  

Be ready to jump out the way when Kovalev knocks him outta the ring then!

Bet you hope that happens hey

I've no affection for either if I'm honest. Having Cleverly taking a run at unifying the division would bring more interest to British boxing so I hope he does it, but with no real conviction. Still don't think he will though.

Steffan wrote:

John Bloody Wayne wrote:

Steffan wrote:Just got back from Somerset

Have Clev tickets for tomorrow not far from ringside  

Be ready to jump out the way when Kovalev knocks him outta the ring then!

Bet you hope that happens hey

Should be a good one, I'm looking forward to it!

Kovalev by KO inside 6 rounds

Geale by SD

Gerry SA wrote:Kovalev by KO inside 6 rounds

Geale by SD

My thinking as well.

Clev does have a good chin but he is all too willing to test it in fights which does not speak well for his longevity inthe sport or his ring acumen. This coupled with the fact he has very questionable corner advice from his father and his readiness to have a tear up mean he could well have a very tough nights work ahead of him. On the plus side, his punch output is excellent and he has a great engine. Hope he pulls it off but strikes me as one of those fighters that is waiting to get found out.

Two tricky fights to call. I've never rated clev but he has good whiskers. If they're good enough, and given how much leather he ships we'll find out soon enough, I fancy him to take a close decision down the stretch on work rate. Could get starched early though.

I like barker, although he's never actually beaten anyone of note. Not going to win on work rate but if he boxes smart i think he can win if his stamina holds up 50:50.

I wonder if Enzo will get KTFO yet again ?

Morning mate. Yes he will.

Barker to win by late (and fairly lucky) KO after falling behind on points.

Clev I have never really been sold on - I just don't think he's anything special. However, I think he genuinely wanted this fight and knows he can beat Kovalev so I will go for another late stoppage, with a bloodied and exhausted Krusher saved by the referee's timely intervention.

McKenzie to KO Maccarinelli late in the 2nd round.

Don't know much about Kovalev aside from his KO record. A step in the right direction for Clev if he wins and wins well but I must say I'll have zero sympathy if he gets put to sleep, will only have himself to thank for growing fat fighting stiffs over the last 2-3 years.

I've always enjoyed Freddie Roach's opinion on fighters once of course he's not talking about one of his own. Roach called Kovalev one of the most complete fighters in the world, high praise indeed.

From what I have seen and read it doesn't seem Kovalev is a hype job. Still there's a nice bit of intrigue in this one.