By Steve Kim
As WBO/WBA/IBF light hevayweight champion Sergey Kovalev (28-0-1, 25KOs) prepares for this weekend's rematch against Jean Pascal at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Main Events is still working to secure a showdown with WBC light heavyweight titlist, Adonis Stevenson, (27-1, 22KOs) for the early summer. This fight has been brandied about since 2014 and has been bogged down in boxing politics and network alliances.
Stevenson's promoter and adviser are expected to have a meeting to discuss the showdown.
Kathy Duva, the head of Main Events, which promotes Kovalev told BoxingScene.com on Monday afternoon,"Yvon (Michel) has told us he was meeting with Al (Haymon) today and he's going to have an answer tomorrow."
Michel, who's company GYM, represent Stevenson, could not be immediately reached for comment.
When asked if Tuesday was a hard deadline to consummate this fight or move on, Duva answered - "It's not about our plans, other fighters want that date in June. We put arenas on hold months in advance. Big fights - even though the PBC thinks it's possible - it's hard to put them on in big arenas on a couple of months notice. So I've been telling Yvon since I met him in October that a lot of people want that June date and I'm not the only promoter that wants it.
"If we don't show them (HBO) something signed, an indication that they feel comfortable that the fight's going to happen, then another promoter is going to get the date. Which is reasonable. Once that June date is gone, Sergey has November plans made and then there really is no time we can do a pay-per-view. April is taken up by (Manny) Pacquiao, May is taken up by 'Canelo ' (Saul Alvarez). July is not an optimal month for pay-per-view. June is it. And they've known this since October since it was put to them."
Kovalev is slated to face Andre Ward in November but Duva says regardless of whether a deal is struck with Stevenson or not, Duva says 'the Krusher' will fight in June.
"Yeah, no doubt."
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.
