I go back and forth. I can honestly see either winning. Kov was more talented, but more fragile. Both these guys were mental midgets actually, but DM had much better stamina. I can see DM drowning him in deep waters, but I can also see Kov's offense being too good for DM's leaky defense. I make 2013 Kov a slight favorite. DM's prime was longer, but I don't think he was as good as the Kov who thrashed Cleverly.
Kovalev at his best had the confidence to stand up for Dariusz' aggression and Michalzewski's porous defense would be an inviting target for Kovalev's hammers. Kovalev by stoppage, but the boozing version obviously gets steamrolled. Also, I don't see Kovalev as a mental midget at all. The poise he showed against Hopkins and the way he beat Ward (according to most) are not signs of a clueless fighter. Dariusz had a rather basic style but I don't know about his ring intelligence as I find the concept puzzling
DM wasn't low IQ, but yes, he was basic. Also, had zero head movement, which isn't a great thing against prime Kov. What DM did have was an excellent, and consistent jab, and if that can throw off Kov's smoother offense, then DM has a chance. And what's puzzling about IQ? It's not hard. Some fighters are simply more intelligent in the ring than others.
On second thought, Kov is more than a slight favorite. He's a solid favorite, but DM isn't without a chance. I just think Dariusz' defense was too leaky for a guy as offensively devastating as prime Kov. And DM had a solid chin, but it wasn't great.
I can't tell the difference between a skillful and smart fighter on a world level. Can you name an excellent technician who was stupid as a fighter? To me they seem to go hand in hand
There aren't too many excellent technicians who are low IQ. There are guys with certain skills who were low IQ - I.E. Amir Khan and Jermain Taylor. You got guys like Oscar and Mosley, who had skill and were EXTREMELY talented, but neither were very bright as fighters. Not as dumb as Khan and Taylor, but not ring geniuses. There are guys who see the sport better than others, and perhaps that's just natural talent more than brains. A Sanchez, Duran, Carlos Ortiz, or Floyd are four examples of guys with off the charts ring IQ.
I think Dariusz' upper-body movement was actually quite fluid vs Hall, and even though Hall was hardly highly skilled, he damn sure threw a lot. Even still, I'd take Kovalev. Aside from being much more potent offensively, he was an excellent judge and manipulater of distance. It isn't easy out-jabbing, and consistently timing Andre Ward.
