Their first fight ended with a dramatic knockout that shook up the Atlantic City Boardwalk. The rematch between Eleider “Storm” Alvarez and Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev will bring two of the light heavyweight division’s biggest names to The Star.
Alvarez will defend his WBO light heavyweight world title against former unified light heavyweight world champion Kovalev on Saturday, February 2 at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys’ practice facility.
Alvarez (24-0, 12 KOs) scored a come-from-behind knockout against Kovalev on August 4 in a major upset to shake up the division.
Kovalev (32-3-1, 28 KOs), who has made nine title defenses across two reigns, will seek to become a three-time world champion and regain his position in boxing’s pound-for-pound top 10.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing‘s staff predictions for Eleider “Storm” Alvarez vs. Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev 2 and let us know who you think will win.
Round By Round Boxing Staff Predictions - 2020
| Name | Win | Loss | Total Fights | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Burgos | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0.5 |
| Hans Themistode | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0.66666666666667 |
| R.L. Woodson | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0.8 |
| Robert Contreras | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
Eleider Alvarez vs. Sergey Kovalev 2
CJ Halloran, Staff Writer
Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev hasn’t been the same since his undeserved loss to Andre Ward. I think he’s been unable to fully bounce back from that since.
Add that on top of the fact he’s fighting a massive light heavyweight who’s as quick as he is powerful, it could make for a bad night.
I have Eleider Alvarez winning by stoppage in seven.
Prediction: Alvarez
Joseph Hammond, Staff Writer
Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev doesn’t have much left in the tank, Eleider Alvarez by split decision in a far more tactical fight.
Prediction: Alvarez
Joshua Diaz, Staff Writer
The first matchup, Sergey Kovalev was cruising through the first six rounds before Eleider Alvarez caught Kovalev and eventually finished him off.
This wasn’t a case of a young contender defeating an older champion and ending his reign. They are one year apart in age and fight a similar style.
Sergey Kovalev makes the adjustments, and pulls out the win over Alvarez on Saturday night.
Prediction: Alvarez
Joseph Rodriguez, Staff Writer
In their first fight, Sergey Kovalev controlled most of the action and was clearly ahead on the scorecards. I think Eleider Alvarez will be too focused on landing the “big punch” and find himself getting outboxed.
Lets not forget Kovalev is a tremendous puncher in his own right. Look for Kovalev to have a great performance which results in a TKO victory.
Prediction: Kovalev
Amber Williams, Photographer
Prediction: Alvarez
Brandon Glass, Staff Writer
I’m picking Eleider Alvarez to win by stoppage again. Alvarez is more than capable and probably emboldened by his first performance against the Krusher.
Sergey Kovalev can still punch, but I think his best is behind him. Mentally, Kovalev doesn’t seem to be the same fighter since Andre Ward and with the possibility of a four year prison sentence looming, it seems logical to question what Kovalev’s mindset is going in.
I think Alvarez finishes this fight faster than the first.
Prediction: Alvarez
Andrew Kang, Staff Writer
I think Sergey Kovalev starts strong like he always does, but will wilt and mentally collapse as been his pattern since his second fight with Andre Ward.
Eleider Alvarez is beaming with confidence and eager to prove his stunning victory over Kovalez the first time was no fluke. I like the champion Alvarez to repeat and keep his title.
Kovalev’s days as a dominant champion and one of the best pound-for-pound fighters is over.
Prediction: Alvarez
R.L. Woodson, Staff Writer
Tough, tough call here. Extremely difficult to decipher what’s real here.
Sergey Kovalev’s startling Andre Ward-assisted rapid fall from pound-for-pound status wasn’t looking like the final word on Krusher through the first few rounds versus Eleider Alvarez back in early-August 2018. Then, in the seventh, it was as if the 35-year-old Kovalev hit a wall–a violent one.
Kovalev enters the rematch after a camp with a new trainer in HOF inductee Buddy McGirt, amid some potentially troubling times in his personal life. He deserves a lot of praise for quickly deciding to return immediately to face the guy who put him down three times in the last round he fought.
Across the ring, Alvarez is 34 years old himself, and was never considered a menacing power puncher. I started this take leaning towards Kovalev, I’d stuck with Alvarez all day, and I don’t care to rock with a fighter who gives off bad vibes regarding his decency as a human being, but I’ll take Kovalev to weather this storm.
Prediction: Kovalev
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Regardless of what he says, Sergey Kovalev didn’t accidentally get stopped by a lucky punch from Eleider Alvarez in their first fight on August 4, 2018.
Sure, Kovalev was doing well and winning in most peoples eyes, but Alvarez kept coming and kept fighting and when you stand up to Kovalev, he seems to have trouble with that.
His aura of invincibility is long gone, so Kovalev has to rely on his ability since he can no longer scare people into losing (thanks Andre Ward).
Kovalev is no longer the Krusher, his best days are behind him and with the added personal-life pressure I don’t think this one ends well for Kovalev.
I love his attitude in saying he won’t go out a loser, and that he must get revenge. That’s a true fighters spirit and something fans crave–but father time is undefeated and for Kovalev I just think his best days are behind him.
Prediction: Alvarez
