Kovalev obliterates Cleverly; Maccarinelli defeats McKenzie; Smith smashes Buckland

08/17/201308/17/2013 Michael Collins

Nathan Cleverly v Sergey Kovalev (Photo Credit: Eoin Mundow/SEEN Sport Magazine) WBO light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly (26-1, 12 KO’s) was BADLY exposed tonight by the unbeaten powerful Russian Sergey Kovalev (22-0-1, 20 KO’s) in what you can only call a total slaughter in losing to Kovalev by a 4th round TKO at the Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. Heck, it wasn’t even a fight.

It was like watching someone pound away at a helpless punching bag. I mean, Cleverly hit the deck three times in the fight, and the fight should have been stopped in the 3rd round after Cleverly had been knocked to the canvas twice by crushing right hands from Kovalev.

Nathan Cleverly vs. Sergey Kovalev: Gogue’s Big Fight Preview

08/17/2013 Joseph Herron

cleverly66 On Saturday, March 4th, 2006, at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England, undefeated and long reigning WBO Super Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe attempted to silence the fight critics who consistently claimed the slick southpaw was a protected fighter who religiously avoided the best competition in his respective division by facing the hard punching and undefeated IBF title holder Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy.

Leading into this historic and memorable unification bout, Jeff Lacy had garnered the reputation as one of the hardest pound for pound punchers in the sport, stopping five of his previous six opponents. With a deep amateur pedigree and an impressive knock-out victory over mutual opponent Robin Reid, the American born power puncher was the overwhelming favorite among most fight scribes and boxing fans across the globe.

Video from Cardiff: Nathan Cleverly 174, Sergey Kovalev 173

08/16/201308/16/2013 BoxNation

photoCleverlyKovalevWeighIn2 At today’s official weigh-in on Cardiff’s busy Queen Street, outside the Capitol Shopping Centre, WBO World Light-Heavyweight Champion Nathan Cleverly came in at 12st 6lb (174lb) while the challenger Sergey Kovalev weighed 12st 5lb 8oz (173lbs).

Undefeated Cleverly makes the eighth and riskiest title defence against the dynamite-punching Russian tomorrow night at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena, live and exclusive in the on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546) and in America on HBO.

Cleverly said, “There is nothing left to say now and all the talking will be done in the ring tomorrow night. All the hard work is done, I’ve hit the weight spot and I’m ready to fight. I can’t wait for it, bring on Kovalev.”

Cleverly vs. Kovalev: Is Nathan clever enough to deal with the pressure?

08/16/2013 Chris Carlson

This Saturday on HBO Nathan Cleverly and Sergey Kovalev will get their biggest test to date when they collide in the ring live from Cardiff, Wales. The stage is set, both men unbeaten and fell ready to take the next step up the ladder at the light heavyweight division.

Can Cleverly step up to the challenge of facing a dangerous fighter who will thrown combination punches and with major power in both hands? Will Kovalev be able to handle the pressure of being under the bright lights of HBO, in the Welshman’s backyard, and if the fight makes it to the championship rounds will stamina play a role having only had 57 rounds in 22 fights?

The winner almost certainly will get future HBO options, a pay increase, and will be one step closer to taking on the king of the division.

Cleverly vs. Kovalev: Interview With Kovalev Manager Egil Klimas

08/14/201308/14/2013 BoxNation

kovalev22 KOVALEV MANAGER: ‘WHEN YOUR WELSH FANS START TO SING, SERGEY WILL JUST PRETEND THEY’RE SINGING FOR HIM!’

So what to we know about Sergey Kovalev, the formidable Russian destroyer who challenges Welshman Nathan Cleverly for the WBO World Light-Heavyweight strap at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena this Saturday?

Known as ‘Krusher’, the 30 year old was born in the city of Chelyabinsk, an ice hockey stronghold, in April 1983. He began boxing aged 11 after following a friend to the gym and knocked up a hugely impressive 193-22 amateur slate which included national titles and international singlets at both junior and senior level.

He was the Russian representative at the 1999 European Cadet championships and captured two gold medals at the World Military Games. Twice he was victorious in dual international meets between Russia and the USA.

Kovalev faces Cleverly for light heavyweight title Saturday on HBO

08/14/201308/13/2013 Main Events

CARDIFF, WALES – Russian light heavyweight knockout artist, Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev, 21-0-1, 19 KOs, takes on undefeated WBO champion Nathan Cleverly, 26-0, 12 KOs, for the world light heavyweight title at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff Wales, Saturday night. The fight will be shown on HBO in a broadcast scheduled to begin at 9:45 PM (Eastern Time).

Kovalev will not only have to overcome the unbeaten champion’s boxing style, he will have to do it in the hostile environment of Cleverly’s back yard. However the hard-punching challenger has been on quite a roll of late, five knockouts in his last five starts, and is completely confident that his abilities can carry him to the championship against Cleverly, regardless of the fight’s venue.

Sergey Kovalev: “This Fight Will Not Go Past Three Rounds”

08/13/201308/13/2013 BoxNation

KOVALEV: “I’VE TRAINED TO GO THREE ROUNDS, BUT NO ONE CAN GUARANTEE THAT THIS FIGHT WILL GO PAST THREE.”

At today’s media workout in Newport, Russian KO King Sergey Kovalev had some fierce words for the WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Nathan Cleverly, who he faces on Saturday night at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena, live and exclusive in the UK on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

Undefeated Kovalev, who has destroyed 19 of his 21 opponents with 18 coming inside the first three rounds, is predicting a similar outcome for the Welsh hero.

“Cleverly is my toughest test, he’s a good, fast fighter who throws a lot of punches, but I think it will be a similar outcome on Saturday night.” Said the “Krusher”.

Nathan Cleverly: “I Expect To Stop Kovalev Midway To Late”

08/13/201308/13/2013 BoxNation

NATHAN CLEVERLY: ‘I WIN BECAUSE I BRING THE BETTER ALL ROUND PACKAGE. I EXPECT TO STOP KOVALEV MIDWAY TO LATE.’

For some time now, WBO World Light-Heavyweight king Nathan Cleverly has been putting himself on offer as the finest 175lb prizefighter on this planet.

On Saturday evening, at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena in his native Wales the 26-year-old from Cefn Fforest finally gets his chance to convince others of the veracity of his claim when he makes a sixth defence of his belt against formidable Russian Sergey Kovalev.

Remaining tickets are available from the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena Box Office on 02920 224 488 or Eventim on 0844 249 1000 or www.eventim.co.uk