Comments Thread For: Duva: Kovalev To Remain as IBF's Mandatory To Hopkins

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events, advised BoxingScene.com that she was informed by the International Boxing Federation that light heavyweight contender Sergey Kovalev (21-0-1, 19KOs) will remain as the mandatory challenger to champion Bernard Hopkins (53-6-2, 32KOs).

Earlier today, BoxingScene broke the news that Karo Murat (25-1-1, 15KOs) had obtained his visa and his promoter, Sauerland Event, submitted an application to reinstate him as the mandatory challenger to Hopkins.

Hopkins was scheduled to fight Murat on July 13th at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, but last week the fight was canceled because Murat was unable to obtain a visa to gain entry to the United States. Earlier this week, the IBF sent out a notifcation that Sergey Kovalev (21-0-1, 19KOs) was the new mandatory challenger to Hopkins. [Click Here To Read More]

[ИATAS]

Quite an interesting scenario. It would seem the smart decision would be to fight Hopkins now, however if Kovalev fights Cleverly for pretty good money and becomes champion, while Hopkins defends against Murat, it would mean Hopkins vs Kovalev would be a unification bout later in the year. Although Hopkins would prefer Stevenson, if HBO has stakes in his next couple fights its likely Hopkins will not get the chance because of the network /promotional fued.

Either way Kovalev has found himself in a really good position.

[$Bullsfam$]

Quite an interesting scenario. It would seem the smart decision would be to fight Hopkins now, however if Kovalev fights Cleverly for pretty good money and becomes champion, while Hopkins defends against Murat, it would mean Hopkins vs Kovalev would be a unification bout later in the year. Although Hopkins would prefer Stevenson, if HBO has stakes in his next couple fights its likely Hopkins will not get the chance because of the network /promotional fued.

Either way Kovalev has found himself in a really good position.

Hopkins said after Cloud he'd fight on HBO or Showtime it didn't matter. The Light Heavyweight division is getting heated up HBO should use this oppurtunity to make up with Golden Boy and make the fights the fans want to see.

I'd rather see Hopkins-Stevenson (vs) the winner of Cleverly-Kovalev for the Undisputed title later this year. Let Cleverly & Kovalev fight for a chance to fight the big boys since neither has really earned it.

As for Puret, Dawson needs to be fighting him a for rebound fight to try and get back into the mix. Then if he can rebound against Puret, he can fight the winner of Bute-Pascal to really get back in the mix.

[MDPopescu]

Quite an interesting scenario. It would seem the smart decision would be to fight Hopkins now, however if Kovalev fights Cleverly for pretty good money and becomes champion, while Hopkins defends against Murat, it would mean Hopkins vs Kovalev would be a unification bout later in the year. Although Hopkins would prefer Stevenson, if HBO has stakes in his next couple fights its likely Hopkins will not get the chance because of the network /promotional fued.

Either way Kovalev has found himself in a really good position.

I would be happy in case B-Hop escapes.
Clev is like dead.

[Russian Crushin]

Hopkins said after Cloud he'd fight on HBO or Showtime it didn't matter. The Light Heavyweight division is getting heated up HBO should use this oppurtunity to make up with Golden Boy and make the fights the fans want to see.

And who would promote a Hopkin's HBO fight?

[MDPopescu]

And who would promote a Hopkin's HBO fight?

Is likely that Hopkins himself does the job.

[Russian Crushin]

Is likely that Hopkins himself does the job.

Hopkins isnt a promoter and doesnt have a license to do such a thing

[King_]

Kathy duva would be a fool to take the Cleverly fight over the Hopkins fight first, IMO. People keep saying Kovlaev can fight Clev then unify with hop...... There is absolutely NO guarantee that Hopkins will voluntary fight Kovlaev after that. ESPECIALLY if Kovalev fights on HBO first and likely will be bounded to HBO and it will be impossible network wise. Right now at this moment, Kovalev has mandatory status with the IBF. Networks don't matter, if Kovalevs team wants the fight.. He gets it no matter what. At the least he'll get a fight for the vacant title and pick up the belt that way. There is no reason to turn down a mandatory title shot when you can take the shot; IF he was to win... I am almost 100% positive The cleverly fight will be there later in the year considering FW and cleverly are offering the fight voluntarily, and if Kovalev was to bring an IBF strap to the table, they would probably want the fight even more.

Sadly I have a feeling they're going to go the cleverly route first. If he fights cleverly, I highly, highly doubt he after gets the opportunity to fight Hopkins again. IMO.

[MDPopescu]

Hopkins isnt a promoter and doesnt have a license to do such a thing

It was a joke... of some sort.

[ИATAS]

Kathy duva would be a fool to take the Cleverly fight over the Hopkins fight first, IMO. People keep saying Kovlaev can fight Clev then unify with hop...... There is absolutely NO guarantee that Hopkins will voluntary fight Kovlaev after that. ESPECIALLY if Kovalev fights on HBO first and likely will be bounded to HBO and it will be impossible network wise. Right now at this moment, Kovalev has mandatory status with the IBF. Networks don't matter, if Kovalevs team wants the fight.. He gets it no matter what. At the least he'll get a fight for the vacant title and pick up the belt that way. There is no reason to turn down a mandatory title shot when you can take the shot; IF he was to win... I am almost 100% positive The cleverly fight will be there later in the year considering FW and cleverly are offering the fight voluntarily, and if Kovalev was to bring an IBF strap to the table, they would probably want the fight even more.

Sadly I have a feeling they're going to go the cleverly route first. If he fights cleverly, I highly, highly doubt he after gets the opportunity to fight Hopkins again. IMO.

Another thing, and a pretty important thing, that really isn't being discussed and what we don't know is money. It's quite possible Kovalev is being offered more money to fight Cleverly on HBO versus Hopkins on Showtime. That could be what it ultimately comes down to. I'd love to know what Warren/HBO are offering Kovalev.