By Manouk Akopyan

Sergey Kovalev’s fight against Anthony Yarde on Saturday could have major implications much greater than just fighting for a WBO title in front of his hometown crowd in Russia. 

Should Kovalev convincingly win and come out healthy, a date with Canelo Alvarez could be very likely for a fight sometime later this year.

But first, Kovalev (33-3-1, 28KOs), a veteran of 15 world title fights, must live up to his moniker of “The Krusher” against the undefeated Yarde (18-0, 17KOs) and escape the potential trap fight.

 

Shortly after both fighters concluded their weigh-ins Friday, BoxingScene.com caught up with Kovalev trainer Buddy McGirt to get a better understanding of what’s in store come Saturday at the Traktor Sport Palace in Chelyabinsk, Russia.

The Hall of Fame fighter and trainer said he wants the 36-year-old Kovalev to get some work and rounds in under his belt before stopping the 28-year-old Brit.

“Sergey has to outbox him and take him into the late rounds before finishing him,” McGirt said from Russia. “Yarde has power and is dangerous too. Sergey has the focus, hunger and determination back. He's not going to do this for 10 more years. He wants it now.”

McGirt and his pupil had been training in Oxnard, Calif. before moving camp to Moscow, and later, to Kovalev’s hometown in Chelyabinsk. He said that although the fight is taking place on Kovalev’s turf, they’ve been training in isolation and without fanfare.

McGirt said Kovalev's return to champion status after his rematch win against Eleider Alvarez in February has reconfigured his fighter’s mental state after he suffered a knockout to hands of Alvarez last August.

“We did have an offer (from Canelo Alvarez) but we can talk about that after Saturday night. Official agreements were already made with Antony Yarde. My primary task is to defend the title. If the fight is still interesting for Canelo afterwards then OK,” said Kovalev, who has won the light heavyweight world title on three occasions. “I understand Anthony Yarde’s ambitions. He calls himself a lion but to me he is a cub. He is so young. I will have to get rid of all that baby fur off his skin so he will run away back home. It is clear he comes here and he wants to be like that. I have this experience. Now is my time.” 

Kovalev manager Egis Klimas told BoxingScene.com last week that Alvarez is waiting to see how Kovalev looks Saturday so both sides can “put the signature on the contract” for a light heavyweight fight. 

“Canelo has stated he doesn’t want to fight anybody else. He wants to fight Kovalev,” said Klimas. “He’s waiting right now on this fight result. The fight against Yarde is a big motivation for Sergey, too. Winning this fight against Yarde will lead him to Alvarez and it’s almost like putting the signature on the contract to Alvarez.” 

McGirt said his fighter won’t be overlooking Yarde and is not concerned about the lingering cloud that is Canelo — for now.

“We’re not worried about what’s happening on that side of the street with Canelo,” said McGirt. “I don't want to put the cart before the horse. It will be a lot more clear on Monday.” 

Kovalev weighed 174.6 pounds on Friday while Yarde weighed 173.9 pounds.

The fighters are expected to begin their ring walks at 7.30 p.m. local time (12:30 ET / 9:30 PT) just after the Premier League football game between Liverpool and Arsenal.

Kovalev-Yarde will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+ and BT Sport in Europe.

Manouk Akopyan has been a member of the Boxing Writers Assn. of America since 2011 and has written for the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, the Guardian and Philadelphia Inquirer. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan or via email at manouk.akopyan@gmail.com.