Kovalev vs. Agnew & Dulorme vs. Mayfield: The Return of the Crusher and bigger fights await the winner of the co-feature matchup

03/28/201403/28/2014 Chris Carlson

Photo by Rich Graessle/Main Events – This Saturday night’s HBO Doubleheader marks the return of knockout artist Sergey Kovalev, who crushed his way to the top of the light heavyweight division in 2013. His opponent is Cedric Agnew, a fighter who is both undefeated and untested.

The co-feature pits a fighter who recently reached contender status, Karim Mayfield against Thomas Dulorme, a former prospect to be reckoned with now trying to find his way back to the big leagues after his T.K.O. loss to Carlos Abregu.

Cedric Agnew and his sterling record of 26-0 with 13 KO’s, certainly looks the part to a person who just happens to be at home, channel surfing right around the time the ring announcer is giving introductions.

HBO Boxing After Dark doubleheader Saturday Night: Kovalev vs Agnew

03/26/201403/26/2014 HBO Boxing

HBO’s hit late-night boxing franchise returns for an all-action doubleheader when HBO BOXING AFTER DARK: SERGEY “KRUSHER” KOVALEV VS. CEDRIC AGNEW AND KARIM MAYFIELD VS. THOMAS DULORME is seen SATURDAY, MARCH 29 at 10:00 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from the Adrian Phillips Ballroom at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team of Jim Lampley, Max Kellerman and Roy Jones Jr. will be ringside for the event, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: March 30 (10:00 a.m.) and April 1 (midnight) – HBO2 playdates: March 30 (4:45 p.m.) and 31 (11:00 p.m.)

Kovalev Training Camp Report: All Eyes on Krusher

03/13/201403/13/2014 Main Events

Ft. Lauderdale, FL: WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev is truly under the microscope as he prepares to defend his title against Cedric “L.O.W.” Agnew on March 29th at the Ballroom at Boardwalk Hall live on HBO Boxing After Dark. For the past two days HBO cameras have filmed “Krusher” at his training camp in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Although this is the third time Sergey will appear on HBO Boxing After Dark, it is his first appearance in the main event. As a result, this is Kovalev’s first experience with a camera crew there to record his every move.

Quotes From the Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev and Cedric Agnew Media Conference Call

02/14/201402/13/2014 Main Events

Amid the wintery conditions facing the Northeast today, boxing media from around the country managed to take time out this afternoon to ask questions about the upcoming WBO Light Heavyweight Championship match between Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (23-0-1, 21 KOs) and Cedric “L.O.W.” Agnew (26-0-0, 13 KOs) on March 29th at the Ballroom at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. The fight will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning 10PM ET.

Present on the call to answer those questions in addition to Kovalev and Agnew were, Kathy Duva, Malcolm Garrett, Jolene Mizzone, John David Jackson, Egis Klimas, Bill Benton and Bobby Benton. Playback of the call is available by dialing (712) 432-1085. Below are highlights of some of the best quotes from the call.

Kovalev to Face Agnew March 29 on HBO at Boardwalk Hall AC

02/12/201402/11/2014 Main Events

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ: Dating back to December 2011, Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (23-0-1, 21 KOs) has demolished all seven opponents that he has faced by knockout in an average of less than four rounds per bout. On Saturday, March 29 he’ll be looking to continue the streak and score his 22nd KO when he returns to the ring for his 2014 debut to defend his WBO World Light Heavyweight Title against undefeated challenger Cedric Agnew (26-0-0, 13 KOs) live from the Ballroom at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ.Kovalev vs. Agnew will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Presented by Main Events in association with Caesars Atlantic City, tickets for the light heavyweight world title showdown are on sale now through TicketMaster online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ or via phone (800) 736-1420. Fans can also contact Main Events for tickets at (973) 200-7050. Ticket prices are $26, $51, $77 and $152. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. ET. Undercard bouts will be announced shortly.

Hopkins sees Kovalev as easy fight for him

07/31/201401/13/2014 Jeff Sorby

IBF light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins (54-6-2, 32 KO’s) may never get a chance to fight WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (23-0-1, 21 KO’s) due to them fighting on different cable networks, but that’s not stopping Hopkins from giving his opinion about how he’d do against the Russian fighter if he ever did fight him. Hopkins, who turned 49 this Wednesday, thinks Kovalev would be an even easier fight for him than his fight with Kelly Pavlik.

Hopkins believes that Kovalev is a fighter with only one dimension, and be figures he’d soundly beat him if the two ever fought. The fact that they probably never will fight gives Hopkins the chance to talk as much as he’d like without having to actually prove himself against Kovalev in the ring.

Kovalev expected back on March 15th

07/31/201401/03/2014 Jeff Sorby

WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (23-0-1, 21 KO’s) is expected back in the ring on March 15th in a fight in Moscow, Russia, according to RingTV. Kovalev’s manager Egis Klimas says they want WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson for that date, but it’s not looking like he’s going to accept that fight.

Kovalev wants to fight Stevenson, Bernard Hopkins, and Beibut Shumenov in order to unify all of the 175 lb. titles. Unfortunately, Kovalev’s chances of getting any of those guys in the ring in 2014 are remote at best. Hopkins is a Showtime fighter, whereas Kovalev fights on HBO.

Pascal: Kovalev is untested until he beats a champion

08/01/201412/29/2013 Kevin Chittenden

Former WBC light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal feels that WBO 175 lb. champion Sergey Kovalev (23-0-1, 21 KO’s) should be seen as an untested fighter until he beats an actual world champion to prove himself. To Pascal, he doesn’t know how good Kovalev is because he’s never been in with an opponent to where he could evaluate his talent level. Right now Pascal sees Kovalev as still having a question mark over his head about how good he is until he faces his first test at light heavyweight.

“On paper, he’s untested,” Pascal said to hustleboss. “Until he’s been tested, we’ll never know his real value. Until he beats a champion or a former champion or a decent champion who has been tested before, I don’ think he’s earned the right to be considered the guy in the division.”

Left-Hook Lounge Mailbag: What Next for Kovalev & Stevenson?, Rigondeaux Ready for Agbeko?

12/03/201312/02/2013 Vivek Wallace

Anthony I. (Long Island, NY): I saw a recent interview with a reporter talking to Larry Merchant where Merchant stated that the media needs to “put pressure on Ward and Stevenson”. I have mixed thoughts on his position, but I’d like to get your thoughts on his remarks.

Vivek W. (ESB): I did get a chance to read the interview you’re referring to. It was a piece of work done by Chris Robinson. I’ll preface my comments by saying that you’re not the only one to walk away with mixed emotions. After taking a moment to read the direct quotes, I definitely found myself looking at things from a different angle, as well.

The hottest fights that can be made today

12/02/201312/01/2013 James Slater

(Photo credit: Sumio Yamada) It’s what fight fans the world over always want but seem to get only on occasion: the best fighting the best. Today, with some serious talent spread out among the weight classes, there are some superb-looking match-ups that could and should be made.

Getting right to it, I now list, in no particular order, the hottest, most intriguing and potentially explosive fights that can be made right now!

Sergey Kovalev-Adonis Stevenson.

An obvious choice to kick off this list, this battle of punchers would absolutely captivate. Both men are capable of throwing dynamite, the seriously scary Kovalev especially, and a devastating conclusion would be reached if these two light-heavyweights tangled.