By Yuri Tarantin

Last week it was announced that the world light heavyweight champion of the WBO, 30-year-old Russian boxer Sergei Kovalev (23-0-1, 21KOs), would defend his belt against 27-year-old American Cedric Agnew (26-0, 13KOs) on March 29th in Atlantic City. Kovalev's manager, Egis Klimas, said it was very difficult to get an opponent for the March date, because a lot of fighters turned them down and the pickings were very slim to find someone who the WBO, and HBO, would approve.

"As for the opponent, I confess that we didn't have much of a choice. His selection was necessary to coordinate with HBO and of course with the WBO. So Cedric Agnew became the best option - he is young, promising and has a good record. These days it is not easy to pick opponents for Kovalev, so it was significant that Agnew accepted the challenge and agreed to fight," Klimas said.

Kovalev is already training hard for the contest.

"Currently, Sergey is in the mountains of Big Bear where he is holding his physical preparations for the upcoming fight," Klimas said.

Yuri Tarantin covers boxing for Allboxing.ru