By Jake Donovan
Sergey Kovalev and Anthony Yarde remain hard at work in camp for their upcoming light heavyweight title fight.
All they are waiting on is an official date, location, travel arrangements and confirmation that someone will actually fund the event.
The mandatory title fight was once targeted for June 29 in Kovalev’s hometown of Chelyabinsk, Russia, to air live on BT Sport in the United Kingdom and stream live on ESPN+ in the United States. Both platforms will still carry the fight, although the only remaining constant other than the matchup itself which is held in limbo.
“They haven’t announced it,” Frank Warren, Yarde’s promoter declared incredulously during a recent interview with IFL TV. “We’ve asked time and time and time again. We have signed for that fight to take place in June in Russia. We signed the agreement. We’re waiting as we sit here, for them to tell us what the hell is going on.”
Strangely, the closest anyone involved has to an answer on official plans is that both boxers are training as if the game plan is still June 29 in Russia. It’s what Yarde (18-0, 17KOs) signed up for in exchange for the massive payday that is supposed to come with the Brit’s first career title fight.
Upon rumors of the bout being postponed due to issues with the event’s financial backers, Yarde and Warren immediately—and rightly—threw a fit, insisting they never agreed to fight in June and weren’t prepared to wait much beyond that point.
“There’s things going on that can’t be discussed,” suggested Warren. “For us, Anthony Yarde—we signed the contract. Yes, we’re on. Both sides are signed. But I’m not the promoter. There’s a problem, not on our end but their end. Although for this fight, their problem becomes our problem.”
Kovalev (33-3-1, 28KOs) became a three-time light heavyweight titlist following a landslide points win over Eleider Alvarez this past February, avenging a knockout defeat to the previously unbeaten Canada-based Colombian last August.
Yarde advanced to the title stage following a 5th round knockout of Travis Reeves this past March at Royal Albert Hall in Kensington, England. Shortly after the win, the muscular Brit was named mandatory challenger at which point his team was ordered to negotiate terms with Kovalev and promotional outfit Main Events.
The two sides were able to strike a deal in mid-April, barely avoiding a mandatory purse bid but now on the verge of defaulting on a promise made.
Also hanging in the balance is a current court case for Kovalev, who is due to stand trial on charges of felony assault stemming from an incident last June in Big Bear, Calif. The boxer was formally charged with felony assault by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury and freed on $50,000 bond after entering a Not Guilty plea.
He did as much during the arraignment hearing this past April, with the light heavyweight titlist due to stand trial on August 1 in San Bernardino County (Calif.) Superior Court. It is hoped that he is able to get through his in-ring fight before advancing to his legal battle, or so hopes his opponent in waiting.
“It’s frustrating,” notes Warren. “In order to go to Russia, we have to get an invitational letter. We haven’t got none of that. We’ve got nothing.
“Anthony Yarde signed up for VADA testing. He fulfilled his part contractually. We’re not hanging around (past) this week without a plan.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox