Their rivalry has been simmering away for months now – and although for the time being at least , both men are pursuing different avenues – the war of words between Russian knockout artist Sergey Kovalev and lineal 175 lb champion Adonis Stevenson shows no sign of abating – with Kovalev coming up with a blunt alternative to his rival’s “Superman” moniker.
Adonis “Piece Of Sh**” Stevenson was his offering to ES news reporting.
Ohh-kay…..
Yet in a chat with fighthubtv ahead of his July 25th clash with Nadjib Mohammedi, Kovalev has made it clear that there is really only one fight out there he wants – and that is the one against his Canadian-based rival.
Sadly for both fighters, it’s essentially differing broadcasting deals that have been the sticking point to making the fight happen – with Kovalev’s promoter Kathy Duva pulling out of a purse bid once already – as should they have lost said bid as expected, they would have then been unable to make the fight on Stevenson’s broadcaster, Showtime.
There is a separate debate to be had about broadcasting contracts, yet it seems Kovalev is acutely aware of his own contractual chains – however the Russian believes that as he owns 3/4 of the straps at 175 lb – it should be he (and Duva) that is calling the shots.
In his words, it’s HBO or no regardless of what Al Haymon, Canadian promoter/manager Yvon Michel and Showtime – who are all affiliated with Stevenson, think.
He said;
“This year maybe – maybe I hope – that Stevenson will say yes and he will come to HBO and make the fight. A unified fight for all four titles.”
“We can close this deal. Why not? Welcome to HBO – it’s the best channel in the world, in America you know? We can make this fight. Our purse will be split even – 50/50. What’s the problem? I have 3 title, he has only one.”
“What’s the problem? It means that he is scared. I have tweeted him, ‘let’s go’ but he offered to fight on his turf. No problem, I am ready to fight in Canada – if it is on HBO on your turf. No problem.”
For the fans, the money-men in suits will be – and still are – the ones who will determine the outcome of this fight happening or not. All we can do is apply the pressure.
Fight fans are being – and have been throughout the history of boxing – denied some of the biggest fights that can be put together for a host of “behind-the-scenes” reasons. People will say that the networks worked together as recently as May for Mayweather/Pacquiao – but one has to consider the sheer revenues involved for them to be able to do that and make it what they consider ‘worthwhile’.
And as a Brit, I’m probably not best placed to be talking about US broadcasting, yet such problems exist here too, with Matchroom and Frank Warren operating exclusively on the Sky and Boxnation platforms respectively
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Warren touches on the broadcasting/promoters/sanctioning bodies issue and the relationship between them in his latest interview with iFLtv. Well worth a look.
Yet as I said before, that’s really a separate debate.
As far as Kovalev/Stevenson goes?
The wait for the fans goes on….
Twitter @Undilutedpoison