HEIGHT ADVANTAGE: Kovalev bullies the shorter Pascal, who is two inches taller than Canelo
Photo: ERIC BOLTE-USA TODAY SPORTS/REUTERS
THE CHAMPION
SERGEY KOVALEV is a dangerous boxer-puncher whose ring craft tends to get overlooked. He is mobile, athletic and intelligent – not stiff like some Eastern European boxers. His jab has been one of boxing’s most effective weapons for the better part of a decade. Thrown to the head and body, it disrupts the opponent’s balance and rhythm, dictates the range and tempo of a fight, and sets up the Russian’s potent right cross. Kovalev also likes to end combinations with the jab. For instance, by reversing the order of a traditional onetwo and throwing the right cross with less weight behind it, he gains leverage for a more powerful jab. Technically, it is more of a left cross due to Sergey’s right shoulder being in front of his left before he throws it. Kovalev uses the two-one or one-two-one combination to take advantage of opponents who move straight back. Because a right cross is typically a finishing punch, the final straight left catches opponents off guard.