Sergey Kovalev

Chilemba wants to beat Kovalev in front of his own fans

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(Photo Credit: David Spagnolo/Main Events) By Eric Baldwin: Isaac Chilemba (24-3-2, 10 KOs) will be challenging for multiple world titles this week in five days from now against IBF/WBA/WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (29-0-1, 26 KOs) on July 11 at the DIVS Ekaterinburg, Russia.

Chilemba doesn’t mind that he’s going to be fighting in Kovalev’s home country of Russia, because he likes the idea of going in and beating one of his opponents in front of his own fans. Chilemba also is quite happy to be fighting for several titles at once rather than just one title.

He’s fortunate to be getting a world title shot at all, because he lost his last fight against Eleider Alvarez by a 12 round majority decision last November.

While it was close enough to be considered a draw in the minds of many boxing fans, two of the judges didn’t see it that way. They scored it in Alvarez’s favor with the scores of 118-110 and 115-113.

“I love fighting in someone’s home. That is where I can prove to the world that I am not just a fighter in the ring but I am fighter in my spirit and my soul,” said Chilemba. “I can go to someone else’s hometown and defeat them in their backyard.”

Kovalev vs. Chilemba: Isaac unhappy at being overlooked

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Image: Kovalev vs. Chilemba: Isaac unhappy at being overlooked

By Allan Fox: #11 WBO, #12 WBA contender Isaac Chilemba (24-3-2, 10 KOs) isn’t too pleased with him being overlooked and seen as the sacrificial lamb to be beaten by IBF/WBA/WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (29-0-1, 26 KOs) in their fight next Monday on July 11 at the DIVS in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

Kovalev, 33, is using Chilemba as a tune-up opponent only in order to get ready for his fight against unbeaten former super middleweight champion Andre Ward on November 19. Chilemba isn’t accustomed to being over-looked in his fights, and that’s why it doesn’t sit right with him that he’s already being counted out by many boxing fans as another knockout victim for Kovalev.

Training Camp Notes: Krusher Kovalev

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(Photo credit: Sergey Kovalev) Training Camp Notes:
Krusher Kovalev Prepares for Chilemba in Armenian Mountains

Ekaterinburg, Russia: WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev recently completed the first phase of his training camp in the mountains of Armenia as he prepares to face Isaac “Golden Boy” Chilemba on July 11 in his first fight in his home country of Russia since 2011. The champ will return to the DIVS Sports Palace in Ekaterinburg, Russia to defend his three titles as part of the opening night ceremonies for the International Industry Trade Fair “INNOPROM-2016.”

The event, sponsored by Russian Copper Company and Igor Altushkin and presented by Main Events and Krusher Promotions in association with German Titov Promotions, will be televised in the United States at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT (same day tape-delayed) exclusively on HBO.

Sergey Kovalev vs. Andre Ward official for November 19

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By Dan Ambrose: IBF/WBA/WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev and former super middleweight champion Andre Ward will be fighting on November 19, on HBO pay-per-view at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Kovalev’s promoter Kathy Duva, and Ward’s promoters at Roc Nation Sports have both requested the November 19 date with the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), and they both want the T-Mobile Arena venue, according to Dan Rafael of ESPN. However, the Ward and Kovalev will both need to win their interim fights in order for them to face each other on the November 19 date.

Kovalev vs. Chilemba to be televised by HBO

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Image: Kovalev vs. Chilemba to be televised by HBOBy Allan Fox: HBO Championship Boxing has decided to television the July 11th fight between IBF/WBA/WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (29-0-1, 26 KOs) and fellow Main Events fighter #12 WBA Isaac Chilemba (24-3-, 10 KOs) from the DIVS Palace of Sports in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

It’s not an ideal date because the fight is taking place on a Monday rather than on Saturday, July 9. By the fight taking place on the 11th of July, it won’t have to compete with the big rematch between IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Tyson Fury an Wladimir Klitschko on July 9. There won’t be any competition for the fight.

Kathy Duva Q&A: Main Events CEO talks about Sergey Kovalev’s journey to greatness

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Image: Kathy Duva Q&A: Main Events CEO talks about Sergey Kovalev's journey to greatnessBy Ian Aldous: As Sergey Kovalev (29-0-1) prepares for his long-awaited Russian homecoming in Ekaterinburg on Monday July 11th against Isaac Chilemba (24-3-2), the WBA, IBF and WBO light-heavyweight world champion has been on an incredible run since signing with Main Events in 2012. This week, Main Events CEO and co-founder, Kathy Duva, took some time to talk with me about how life with Sergey has panned out under her promotional wing.

IA: When you signed Sergey in November 2012, did you face much competition for his signature, or was he a little under the radar? Am I right in saying he fought on one or two of your undercards before you signed him?

Andre Ward: Contracts are signed for Sergey Kovalev fight

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Image: Andre Ward: Contracts are signed for Sergey Kovalev fightBy Allan Fox: Andre Ward (29-0, 15 KOs) says the contracts have been signed by him and IBF/WBA/WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (29-0-1, 26 KOs) for their fight this November at a still to be determined date and venue.

Ward, 32, says he doesn’t yet know what the specific date and venue is, but he’s looking forward to the fight. Ward will be looking to get in another tune-up fight to get ready for the Kovalev fight. He expects the tune-up to be in the summer. There’s been talk of Ward possibly fighting Andrzej Fonfara next, but it remains to be seen if that fight will happen.

2016 Dream Bouts

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1-Golovkin_Wade_AY1J4767By Todd Creel: Let’s pretend for a moment that the boxing fans were put first for the rest of 2016. The people who work hard all week, keep track of the fighters and give their hard earned money and finite amount of time and attention to this sport get to see the fights they want.

The best of the division fight the best of the division, not because it makes the most money for the promotional companies or the networks, but because the fans deserve to be rewarded for their willingness to watch and because it truly only makes sense to have ONE champion per division.

DeGale wants Adonis Stevenson and Sergey Kovalev

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degale (4)By Scott Gilfoid: IBF super middleweight champion James DeGale (22-1, 14 KOs) has struggled to win his last two fights against Lucian Bute and Andre Dirrell in fights that he could have easily lost if those fighters had did just a tad bit more.

The victories seemed to have given the 30-year-old DeGale a huge surge of confidence because he is now talking about wanting to move up to light heavyweight to take on the best fighters in WBC champion Adonis Stevenson and IBF/WBA/WBO Sergey Kovalev.

Kovalev: I understand why Canelo doesn’t want Golovkin fight

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1-wade-vs-golovkin (5)By Dan Ambrose: Earlier today, IBF/WBA/WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (29-0-1, 26 KOs) announced his next fight on July 11 against Isaac Chilemba (24-3-2, 10 KOs) for Ekaterinburg, Russia.

Kovalev was asked whether he thinks IBF/IBO/WBA middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (34-0, 31 KOs) will beat WBC middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs) later this year if/when the fight happens in September, and Kovalev answered in the affirmative.