By Alexey Sukachev
Understandably, WBA/IBF/WBO light heavyweight king Sergey Kovalev (27-0-1, 24 KOs), fresh off his demolition of capable Canadian Jean Pascal, remains a popular figure in the Russian sports scene and common media. A couple of news items posted in the last week is presented below.
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According to TASS, the champion is planning to enhance his team with a new coach.
“I’ll still work with John (David Jackson) but I’d like to add another specialist to the squad”, said Kovalev. “Right now I’m winning on my character and desire alone. I need to increase my technical arsenal. I’m still calling for my first coach, Vladimir Victorovich Roschenko, but he has a heart condition and other health issues. He has given so much to me in my amateur days. He still helps with good advice nowadays”.
“I’ll change location of my training camp”, admitted Kovalev. “Florida is usually cool in winter time, but this one was different – two hot and humid. That prevented me from training at my full capacity. Due to these weather conditions I was forced to eat more and to drink more. Recovery also wasn’t ideal. The next camp will take place in California, closer to my family, so I’ll be able to see them more often”.
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Meanwhile, in another interview with TASS, Kovalev’s manager Egis Klimas revealed a potential plan for Kovalev to fight his IBF mandatory Nadjib Mohammedi (37-3, 23 KOs) in Russia (not the first time for the Frenchman, who was kayoed in two by Dmitry Sukhotskiy in 2011).
“I still don’t know anything about where it takes its place. But Russia is being considered. Russian fight fans would absolutely love to see Sergey fighting at home”, said Klimas. “We are in negotiations with the HBO about extension of the contract. It’s likely that the Mohammedi fight will also be under HBO”.
For his part, Kovalev said - “I’m taking this fight primarily because of my inner desire to save all my belts for a future unification.”