By Steve Kim
A bit of a stir was caused when there were published reports that quoted former light heavyweight champion, Sergey Kovalev (30-2-1, 26 KOs), as saying he was contemplating retirement in the wake of his stoppage loss to Andre Ward on June 17th at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
It was Kovalev's second consecutive defeat. Last November he lost a razor thin twelve round decision, and the IBF, WBA, WBO world titles to Ward at Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena.
Kovalev's long-time manager, Egis Klimas, told BoxingScene.com - "That news [that Sergey was considering retirement] came from Russia and I was trying to reach Sergey but he was in Greece. He went to the mountains, some monastery. I have had no communication. But the stuff came from Russian reporters so to tell you the truth I really don't know what is going on."
The plan is for Kovalev to return in the fall and Klimas doesn't seem to be taking these reports all that seriously. He explained:
"I think he was mad on the judges, on boxing, the judgement. But we spoke about it and he said, 'Listen, it's not the first time I'm in a position like that, I've been in the amateurs and been in a worse situation.'
"He went to Russia, he's among his friends, his family. I think he's completely forgotten what boxing is. His head is clear,"Klimas continued. "I know he's coming back in September to the (United) States."
While all this is being speculated on, Main Events is actively working on consummating his next bout for late November in New York.
Light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera, who is also promoted by Main Events, has been actively pushing to become Kovalev's opponent for the fall.
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.