Sergey Kovalev does not believe he’s a sacrificial opponent simply put in front of Canelo Alvarez to hand over his title on the Mexican superstar’s quest to becoming a four-division champion.
Kovalev is a proud 36-year-old WBO light heavyweight champion who’s made eleven lifetime defenses of his crowns. On Nov. 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, he will face his toughest test to date against a natural middleweight who is moving up two divisions to specifically fight him.
“I understand that a lot of people are thinking that I’m the underdog, but the ring will show our skills,” Kovalev told BoxingScene.com. “My job is to be in the best shape and bring the best fight. I understand this fight will be dangerous for me and my boxing career. If someone challenges me to a fight, I cannot say no. I’m only training for victory. He’s the best in boxing, and this is my biggest test. I should be ready.”
Kovalev (34-3-1, 29 KOs) is enjoying a two-fight renaissance under new trainer Buddy McGirt. He said he doesn’t believe Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 KOs) hand picked him to move up 15 pounds because of his shaky moments over the last three years in which he’s turned in a 4-3 record, including two losses to Andre Ward and a knockout to Eleider Alvarez.
“I am the biggest name in the light heavyweight division,” said Kovalev. “We’ve had great opinions of each other ever since we met in Big Bear in 2012. I respect him.
“Of course this will be a tougher fight for me than Andre Ward. Ward was a dirty fighter, he was not a real fighter … If boxing had a division between 175 and 200, I would move up, too. My goal is the same, to defend my titles until I retire.”
Kovalev is coming off an 11th round knockout over Anthony Yarde in August in which he survived a scare to the hands of his mandatory challenger. McGirt even threatened to stop the fight between rounds eight and nine after Kovalev took a beating that bounced him around the ring during that round. The Russian fighter rebounded quickly to score the win, however. He said the quick turnaround against Alvarez will work to his advantage as he seeks to shock the betting favorite.
“I asked [manager] Egas [Klimas] to give me a fight every three months,” said Kovalev. “Big breaks between fights kill me. I don’t train between fights because I am busy with my family and life. It was different this time. It’s now or never. A victory will give me a lot of opportunities. I have five more fights. It all depends on God, and how many he will give me.
“When I was younger at 32 and 33 years old, I had much more energy, intensity and more goals. Now, I’m more responsible and have a family. I can’t afford any mistakes inside or outside of the ring. With age, your approach to life changes. Only God knows how my life will change with a win.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist and member of the Boxing Writers Assn. of America since 2011. He has written for the likes of the Guardian, USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer, Men’s Health and NFL.com and currently does TV commentary for combat sports programming that airs on Fox Sports. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan or via email at manouk.akopyan@gmail.com.
