By Mike Coppinger

As has been the case for each of Sergey Kovalev's past four opponents, Blake Caparello will be a sizable underdog when he meets the light heavyweight beltholder on Aug. 2 on HBO.

However, unlike other foes, promoter Lou DiBella's believes his charge isn't scared of the big, bad 175-pound boogeyman.

"There is a great advantage to fighting Kovalev: if you manage to hang in there with him, you are going to earn the respect of fans," the outspoken promoter said on a media conference call on Monday. "There are a lot of guys who are afraid of Kovalev but Blake isn't. Blake is going to go out there and do his best to win. I expect a great performance whether he wins or loses."

DiBella has a point. The 27-year-old Australian is only known to the most ardent of boxing fans, but if he can hang tough with Kovalev (24-0-1, 22 KOs) in front an audience that will likely top the million mark, he will be a winner even in defeat. Still, DiBella says Caparello (19-0-1, 6 KOs) is coming to shock the world.

"Sergey Kovalev is going to have his hands full," DiBella said. "The only way to beat Sergey Kovalev is (to) stand right in front of him and box. Blake is a true boxer and Kovalev has a real challenge on his hands. Blake fights like a boxer. This is a fight he desperately wanted."

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