Sergey Kovalev

Virgil Hunter to Kovalev: ‘Nobody Has Ever Walked Through Andre Ward!

Virgil Hunter to Kovalev: 'Nobody Has Ever Walked Through Andre Ward!

Andre Ward’s trainer Virgil Hunter says that if he is to become a fully fledged 175 lb fighter and sign to fight Russian banger Sergey Kovalev, it will happen when they are ready to do it and not the other way around.

Ward returned after 19 months out at a catch-weight of 172 lbs in June, beating up on overmatched British challenger Paul Smith and there is strong rumour that the Roc Nation star will next appear against a TBA opponent on the undercard of November’s Cotto/Canelo mega-fight, as he prepares for an eventual move to 175 good and proper.

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‘Tick Tock Adonis, 50/50 on HBO PPV Sounding Generous’ say Duva and Main Events

'Tick Tock Adonis, 50/50 on HBO PPV Sounding Generous' say Duva and Main Events

After last Friday’s maligned Adonis Stevenson v Tommy Karency PBC on Spike fight from Toronto pulled in a series average of 581k viewers, Main Events boss Kathy Duva – promoter of WBA/WBO and IBF light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev, has again asked Stevenson to consider coming to Kovalev’s broadcaster HBO for their heavily demanded unification fight.

Kovalev is tied exclusively to the broadcasting giant, and that is proving – technically at least – the sticking point in putting together the fight, which Duva and Kovalev have stated they are willing to travel to Canada for, as well as give Adonis 50/50 in terms of the purse split.

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Kovalev v Stevenson – Will Failure to Negotiate Fight Tarnish Krusher’s Legacy?

Kovalev v Stevenson – Will Failure to Negotiate Fight Tarnish Krusher’s Legacy?

Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev is rapidly becoming the most dominating force the 175 lb division has witnessed since Roy Jones Junior began hoovering up his collection of world title belts at the tail end of the 20th century.

Super middleweight king Andre Ward is being considered as a potential opponent for Krusher. Victory over Ward would be a significant scalp but it would not complete his supremacy at light heavyweight. If Ward were to lose he would presumably return to his natural weight division at 168 lb, explaining that the difference in size was too great, and some of the sheen would be wiped from Kovalev’s triumph.

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Sergey Kovalev v Artur Beterbiev Is a No-Go

Sergey Kovalev v Artur Beterbiev Is a No-Go

It shouldn’t really come as much of a surprise but, Kathy Duva – promoter of WBA/WBO & IBF 175 lb champion Sergey Kovalev – is not going to get her sought-after Thanksgiving dust-up in Moscow between her man and fellow Russian puncher Artur Beterbiev.

Duva had stated after Kovalev battered mandatory challenger Nadjib Mohammedi that she was taking the “Krusher” to Moscow in November, and had approached Beterbiev’s promoter Yvon Michel about the fight.

In an email to Duva yesterday, Michel politely refused Main Events “honest offer” which would have guaranteed the (9-0, 9ko) Beterbiev a career high half million dollar payday, although he refused to rule out the fight possibly happening in the future.

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Sergey Kovalev continues to impress; Jean Pascal shouldn’t plan any trips to Cuba

Sergey Kovalev continues to impress; Jean Pascal shouldn't plan any trips to Cuba

The best compliments concerning Sergey “The Krusher” Kovalev come from a very knowledgeable source. A fighter could not ask for a more creditable person. It’s none other than Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins. The boxing hall of fame just wishes he would retire so they can induct him into a place of honor. He’s fought them all, done it all, and knows it all. When he speaks we listen, even if he sometimes rambles and gets off track. When it comes to The Krusher, Bernard doesn’t roam or traipse off target a bit. Without hesitation he described The Krusher in simple, but glowing terms.

Hopkins tells us that The Krusher is a destroyer. Bernard tells us he punches with tremendous power. HBO’s Jim Lampley asked if you feel his power? Bernard said yes, you feel one or two and then you don’t feel the rest!

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If Ward Fights Kovalev, He’s In Trouble says John David Jackson

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Last night Sergey Kovalev was at his destructive best in Las Vegas, blowing away mandatory challenger Nadjib Mohammedi with consummate ease inside three one sided rounds.

After the fight, Kovalev’s promoter Kathy Duva stated her man will be out in November, in a big homecoming fight in Russia, possibly against countryman Artur Beterbiev, who they are eyeing as the potential opponent.

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Kovalev Hammers Mohammedi to Retain Position as Stevenson’s No.1 Contender

Kovalev Hammers Mohammedi to Retain Position as Stevenson’s No.1 Contender

Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev utilised his trademark, ruthless efficiency, to KO unranked (not rated within the Transnational Boxing Rankings top ten) opponent Nadjib Mohammedi in the third round last night at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas.

The Russian, who entered the ring looking like a good sized cruiserweight, started patiently, firing a few hard jabs and right crosses in the opening round. Nadjib’s brave attacks at the beginning of the second merely helped focus Kovalev’s work, as Sergey immediately retaliated with cranked up potency in his own punches. A hard right cross, followed by a jab, right cross, and a clubbing right hook, sent Mohammedi to the canvas mid-way through the round.

With thirty nine seconds remaining in round three, Sergey threw a right-lead, trailed by a left hand, the latter of which connected with his opponent’s left orbit. Neither appeared to be thrown with maximum force, but such is the exceptional power that Kovalev possesses, this was enough to end the contest – Mohammedi crumpled to the floor for the final time.

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Kovalev Keen To Keep On Improving & Getting Better

Kovalev Keen To Keep On Improving & Getting Better

Photo: David Spagnolo/Main Events – Sergey Kovalev fights his mandatory (IBF) challenger, Frenchman Nadjib Mohammedi tonight on HBO/Boxnation in the UK and has warned there is still much more to come from him in the future, as he is learning every day.

The Russian knockout artist hit the big time with his WBO 175 lb title win over Welshamn Nathan Cleverly in 2013 and has since added the IBF and WBA titles by beating future Hall of Fame Inductee Bernard Hopkins by UD last November, with Hopkins being one of the few to actually hear the final bell against the “Krusher.”

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Weights: Sergey Kovalev: 174.5 lbs. Nadjib Mohammedi: 173 lbs.

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Saturday’s HBO World Championship Boxing doubleheader telecast begins at 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT).

Opening up the telecast from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada pits Jean Pascal vs. Yuniesky Gonzalez in a 10-round light heavyweight attraction. The main event features light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev defending his titles against challenger Nadjib Mohammedi for 12 rounds.

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