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Staff Predictions: Adonis Stevenson vs. Tony Bellew and Sergey Kovalev vs. Ismayl Sillakh

Saturday, November 30, 2013, HBO boxing returns with a heavy-hitting doubleheader–starting at 10:15 pm, EST. Read on for Round By Round Boxing‘s staff predictions.

Kovalev Photo by AP/The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot

Sergey Kovalev vs Ismayl Sillakh

Gabe Rivas, Contributing Writer

Sergey Kovalev is a beast. Kovalev will be defending his WBO Light Heavyweight belt for the first time after taking it in dominant fashion from Nathan Cleverly. Kovalev has also beaten Darnell Boone twice and looked even better in his second fight with him, knocking him out in the third round. This may mean that Kovalev is getting better. The full extension and power with which he throws his punches has me predicting he will win in similar fashion. Ismayl Sillakh presents a tough challenge, but he has lost to a lesser opponent in Denis Grachev—a man who was knocked out in the first round by Edwin Rodriguez and lost via decision to Lucian Bute. Sillakh couldn’t take Grachev’s power, it is likely he won’t be able to take Kovalev’s.

Prediction: Kovalev

 

 

Gabe Polanco, Contributing Writer

Playing second fiddle to the main event is Sergey Kovalev taking on Ukrainian born Ismayl Sillakh. Sillakh, a journeyman in his own right, has stepped up in competition once. It was the only loss of his career where he was TKO’d by Denis Grachev in Texas. Sadly, this fight will turn into a showcase event for HBO to steer the masses into wanting Kovalev s next fight to be with his hard hitting counterpart, Adonis Stevenson.

Prediction: Kovalev

 

 

Lenin Acevedo, Photographer

With both fighters comparable in abilities, it is bound to be a competitive fight. However, I don’t think it should be that tough of a bout for the Russian Krusher.  I see Ismayl Sillakh winning some early rounds, but ultimately he’ll fall to the pressure of Sergey Kovalev.

Prediction: Kovalev

 

 

Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer

Sergey Kovalev will have a tough time with Ismail Sillakh, but will eventually extinguish him with a late KO in the 10th or 11th round. Will this eventually lead to a matchup between Kovalev and Adonis Stevenson?  Maybe, or maybe something more lucrative like the winner of Lucian Bute vs. Jean Pascal. Or perhaps Andre Ward if he dares to come up to 175 for that type of challenge.

Prediction: Kovalev

 

 

Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer

Kovalev looks to keep his ascension to the top going vs. Ismayl Sillakh. If Sillakh can put his TKO loss to Denis Grachev in the rear view mirror this could be a good fight. Kovalev has been on a role and has been a wrecking ball as of late. Sillakh is no slouch and can crack a bit himself. I think Sillakh will have his moments, but Kovalev’s relentless attack will prove to be too much. I see Kovalev wearing down Sillakh in the mid rounds.

Prediction: Kovalev

 

Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief

The Krusher, Sergey Kovalev, is a beast and in my opinion, he is the best at 175 pounds. I think he makes quick work of Ismayl Sillakh in highlight-reel fashion and sets himself up for a big fight against Adonis Stevenson in early 2014.

Prediction: Kovalev

 

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