Q: How is everything going in preparation for your upcoming bout with Sergey Kovalev What’s it like working with Freddie Roach for the first time?

JP: It’s been fantastic. Freddie is somebody that I’ve greatly admired from a distance for a very long time now. I’ve been following his work since the James Toney days, so I’m well aware of the difference he can make for boxers who buy into his way of doing things. Right now I’m all in and ready to once again become the light heavyweight champion of the world on January 30.

Q: What would you say to the critics who feel that you don’t deserve this fight based on your showing against Yunieski Gonzlaez?

JP: I would say that it was a very good fight that was a lot closer than it had to be, but I won the fight.

Q: Why was it a lot closer than it had to be?

JP: I’m don’t make excuses, I make big fights. In boxing things happen during a fight and you just have to bite down and keep going despite the pain. Sometimes things become more difficult than they have to be as a result of this, but when the options are quitting or keep fighting, I only see one option.

Q: Do you feel you’ve gotten the credit you deserved for taking on a hungry undefeated guy like Gonzalez instead of taking an easier preliminary bout?

JP: Not really. And what’s crazy is I didn’t have to fight him. The deal for the Kovalev rematch was done in July, so the only reason I fought him was to prove to myself that even after suffering a TKO loss I can come right back four months later and hand a tough undefeated fighter his first loss. I think that fight took a lot out of Yunieski and that showed in his last fight with Slava Shabransky.

Q: You’ve said on several occassions that you know what has to be corrected in order to defeat Kovalev. Can you elaborate on that at all?

JP: You’ll have to buy your ticket to attend at the Bell Centre or tune in on HBO to find out. I can’t give out my secrets now.

Q: Can you tell us some of the guys you’ve been sparring with?

JP: I can but then I’d have to kill you. (laughs)

Q: You took it upon yourself to voice your opinion of Kovalev. You basically said he’s not a star and that he’s a racist. Do you regret saying any of those things?

JP: Regret? I don’t regret anything I said that day. All I did was tell the truth. There is only one star in this fight and it isn’t Sergey Kovalev. When he and I fought on the same show in Vegas on July 25 it became obvious that Kovalev sells like sand in the desert. He didn’t even sell 1,000 tickets, so we all know the reason he’s coming back to Montreal is because I’m the only way he can make money. He likes to say that he likes to go to other peoples hometown and ruin them in front of their fans, but that’s a lie. He likes to go to other people’s backyard because he has no hometown of his own and couldn’t sell 2,000 tickets to save his life. And when he makes his first million dollar purse because of my great fans in Montreal, how does he thank them? He gives them the finger. Talk about classless.

Q: And as far as the racist remarks?

JP: Like I said, I don’t regret anything. It was the truth. Ismayl Sillakh told me some of the deplorable things Kovalev told him before they fought and the monkey shirt with Adonis spoke for itself. And it’s a fact that he only calls black fighters pieces of shit. The funny thing is when it comes to selling tickets, speaking in complete sentences or generating big ratings, the only piece of shit is him.

Q: Do you have a prediction?

JP: Victory. I will be prepared to go a hard twelve rounds, but if he gives me a chance to end the fight, I will take full advantage of it.
Q: How is everything going in preparation for your upcoming bout with Sergey Kovalev What’s it like working with Freddie Roach for the first time?

JP: It’s been fantastic. Freddie is somebody that I’ve greatly admired from a distance for a very long time now. I’ve been following his work since the James Toney days, so I’m well aware of the difference he can make for boxers who buy into his way of doing things. Right now I’m all in and ready to once again become the light heavyweight champion of the world on January 30.

Q: What would you say to the critics who feel that you don’t deserve this fight based on your showing against Yunieski Gonzlaez?

JP: I would say that it was a very good fight that was a lot closer than it had to be, but I won the fight.

Q: Why was it a lot closer than it had to be?

JP: I’m don’t make excuses, I make big fights. In boxing things happen during a fight and you just have to bite down and keep going despite the pain. Sometimes things become more difficult than they have to be as a result of this, but when the options are quitting or keep fighting, I only see one option.

Q: Do you feel you’ve gotten the credit you deserved for taking on a hungry undefeated guy like Gonzalez instead of taking an easier preliminary bout?

JP: Not really. And what’s crazy is I didn’t have to fight him. The deal for the Kovalev rematch was done in July, so the only reason I fought him was to prove to myself that even after suffering a TKO loss I can come right back four months later and hand a tough undefeated fighter his first loss. I think that fight took a lot out of Yunieski and that showed in his last fight with Slava Shabransky.

Q: You’ve said on several occassions that you know what has to be corrected in order to defeat Kovalev. Can you elaborate on that at all?

JP: You’ll have to buy your ticket to attend at the Bell Centre or tune in on HBO to find out. I can’t give out my secrets now.

Q: Can you tell us some of the guys you’ve been sparring with?

JP: I can but then I’d have to kill you. (laughs)

Q: You took it upon yourself to voice your opinion of Kovalev. You basically said he’s not a star and that he’s a racist. Do you regret saying any of those things?

JP: Regret? I don’t regret anything I said that day. All I did was tell the truth. There is only one star in this fight and it isn’t Sergey Kovalev. When he and I fought on the same show in Vegas on July 25 it became obvious that Kovalev sells like sand in the desert. He didn’t even sell 1,000 tickets, so we all know the reason he’s coming back to Montreal is because I’m the only way he can make money. He likes to say that he likes to go to other peoples hometown and ruin them in front of their fans, but that’s a lie. He likes to go to other people’s backyard because he has no hometown of his own and couldn’t sell 2,000 tickets to save his life. And when he makes his first million dollar purse because of my great fans in Montreal, how does he thank them? He gives them the finger. Talk about classless.

Q: And as far as the racist remarks?

JP: Like I said, I don’t regret anything. It was the truth. Ismayl Sillakh told me some of the deplorable things Kovalev told him before they fought and the monkey shirt with Adonis spoke for itself. And it’s a fact that he only calls black fighters pieces of shit. The funny thing is when it comes to selling tickets, speaking in complete sentences or generating big ratings, the only piece of shit is him.

Q: Do you have a prediction?

JP: Victory. I will be prepared to go a hard twelve rounds, but if he gives me a chance to end the fight, I will take full advantage of it.

What changed in your training coming to this fight?

Sergey Kovalev: “I did a lot of mistakes in our last fight and right now I try to fix it. I try to be better. It’s a secret about my mistakes and just me and my trainer know about my mistakes. I learned from my first fight. Right now I fix it and try to be creative, do everything exactly correct and try to fight more harder and try to stop Pascal early this time.

“Because I was disappointed in my performance in our last fight against Pascal I want to do this much better, much more clear.
“I felt very comfortable (in last fight). Judge gave to him two rounds, but I didn’t feel I lost these rounds. I just take time, used a lot of jabs and get lot of points with the jab.

“I don’t feel comfortable to make any prediction because it is boxing, anything can happen. It’s not my habit to say, I will, will, will. Because sometimes you say will and something else happens and then you look like a trash talker. You know?
“Pascal is a trash talker. I don’t care what he say because it’s just trash from his mouth. He start speaking trash to (make me) lose my mind and make me nervous; he will pay for this in the ring. Believe me. I am going to make him pay for this.

“It is a more personal fight (because of trash talk).”

Krusher
Photo Credits: Jose Pineiro/Main Events

Do you want to make him retire?

SK: “I want this, we’ll see. But usually all my opponents stop their career or move their division, but last fight I didn’t finish my job.”

Why fight Pascal again when the first fight seemed so easy?

SK: “First of all, Pascal has said bad things to my side. I have a reason for fighting him. I think Pascal has reason to say thank you to Luis Pabon, the referee for the fight. He forgot to say thank you very much that he saved his health and life maybe. Because he was already “drunk”, you know like spaghetti legs.”

Why fight in Canada?

SK: “I love Canada and Canadian fans. Canada reminds me so much of my home town in Russia. Same atmosphere. Lot of details remember me of my home town and I feel very comfortable in Canada. Big support from Canadian fans. And second thing why I fight in Canada, because Pascal doesn’t want to go to America to fight me or in Russia either. He’s fighting only in his hometown. Ok, I’m ready to kick his ass in his hometown.”

Kovalev Answers Media Questions
Photo Credits: Jose Pineiro/Main Events

Do you expect to see something different now that Pascal is training with Freddie Roach?

SK: Yes, it gave me new motivation. Because he could bring something new from Freddie Roach. Should be, but we’ll see. It helped me work more, more, more and be ready for what he will bring.

“I want to say thanks to boxing because boxing helped with a lot of terrible things in my life. Boxing saved my life, saved my health. I have a family, I have a son, beautiful wife. Right now I am happy. I have motivation to get more goals.”

Television Interview with Kovalev
Photo Credits: Jose Pineiro/Main Events

John David Jackson: “He has a great work ethic. He kind of choreographs his fights. It’s funny how he does it. It works for him. I let him do what he wants to do. It makes him feel comfortable. He has a routine where he tries to mimic the fight how [he thinks] it’s gonna go about [sic].”

JDJ: “Time will tell [if he will be an icon.] He needs a couple more fights with top quality opponents. You’ve got Ward and Stevenson, and now this Russian kid Beterbiev, who beat Sergey in the amateurs. These are the types of fight that will take him to the next level and make him the superstar that he truly is.”

JDJ: “We put a game-plan together, but he swears up and down there’s no game-plan. We devise a strategy that works for him.”

JDJ: “His physical training and conditioning prior to coming to the gym enables him to go the rounds that he goes and the pace that he sets.”

JDJ: “Right now, he’s still working, but next week we’ll shut the sparring down and we will be at an even pace, but at a level where he’s still aggressive and heavy come fight night.”

About January 30
The grudge match for the unified light heavyweight world championship between Sergey Kovalev and Jean Pascal, a Vidéotron presentation in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu, will be televised live in the United States on HBO beginning 9:45pm ET/PT. The HBO telecast will open with a ten-round match-up between Dmitry Mikhaylenko and Karim Mayfield for the vacant USBA Welterweight Title. In Canada the event will be available on pay-per-view TV, please consult with your local cable provider. The card is promoted by Main Events and InterBox in association with German Titov Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions. Tickets are on sale on at www.evenko.ca, at Centre Bell box office and at Club de boxe Champions in Montreal.

About Main Events
Main Events was founded in 1978 by the late Dan Duva and is now run by his widow Kathy Duva. As one of the top promotional companies in the world, Main Events has promoted boxing legends Evander Holyfield, Arturo Gatti, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitaker and many more. Currently, Main Events promotes WBO, IBF and WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev. Main Events is committed to promoting quality fights that boxing fans want to see.

About InterBox
InterBox, founded in Québec in 1997, and acquired by Groupe Sportscene in 2004, is a boxing organization that is recognized and respected throughout the Quebec province and the world. Its goal is to promote professional boxing, locally and internationally, with talented boxers who are supervised by top-notch trainers and have access to a cutting-edge support staff. InterBox regularly promotes and presents first-rate events in cooperation with such major corporate sponsors as Vidéotron, La Cage – Brasserie sportive and Coors Light.

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Montreal, Quebec, Canada: Last week, Ray Robinson suffered injuries in a car accident which caused him to withdraw from his scheduled fight against undefeated welterweight Dmitry “The Mechanic” Mikhaylenko (20-0, 9 KOs). Today Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield (19-2-1, 11 KOs) agreed to step in and replace Robinson in the ten-round welterweight co-feature on the Saturday, Jan. 30 HBO World Championship Boxing® telecast which features the much-anticipated rematch between Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (28-0-1, 25 KOs) and Jean Pascal (30-3-1, 17 KOs) for the WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Championship. The Mikhaylenko-Mayfield bout will be for the vacant USBA Welterweight Title. The HBO telecast begins at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

Mikhaylenko, 29, from Gelendzhik, Russia, is co-promoted by Main Events and German Titov Promotions. “The Mechanic” is undefeated and stopped his last three opponents, including former interim super lightweight titleholder Johan Perez. This will be his second fight in Canada; he stopped Felipe De la Paz in the fifth round on the undercard of Kovalev-Pascal I.Mikhaylenko is not one to question any of his opponents. He is in shape all year round and a win against a notable, dangerous, and equally determined guy in Mayfield would be exactly what he needs to be taken seriously in this stacked welterweight division.

Mayfield, a San Francisco, California native now promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions, made his professional debut in 2006 and went undefeated for the first eight years of his professional career. After suffering back-to-back losses in his first two fights in 2014, which included a close-decision against former title contender Thomas Dulorme, he returned to defeat Michael Balasi of Hawaii in an eight-round unanimous decision victory in his last fight on Nov. 8, 2014. He has been inactive for a year but a win over a ranked Mikhaylenko will be an instant game-changer in his career, and can be the difference in getting his name back in the mix.

Main Events’ CEO, Kathy Duva, said, “We were devastated when we learned about Robinson’s accident. Very few fighters would agree to take a fight on such short notice, especially a fight which opens the HBO telecast for such a high-profile event like Kovalev-Pascal II. Mayfield, however, jumped at the opportunity. He wants to step in against an undefeated ranked prospect like Mikhaylenko in an attempt to re-establish himself as a contender. Mikhaylenko has no doubt whatsoever about his abilities inside the ring. He didn’t even blink at the change in opponents. Short notice or not, this is a great fight!”

About January 30
The grudge match for the unified light heavyweight world championship between Sergey Kovalev and Jean Pascal, a Vidéotron presentation in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu, will be televised live in the United States on HBO beginning 9:45pm ET/PT. The HBO telecast will open with a ten-round match-up between Dmitry Mikhaylenko and Karim Mayfield for the vacant USBA Welterweight Title. In Canada the event will be available on pay-per-view TV, please consult with your local cable provider. The card is promoted by Main Events and InterBox in association with German Titov Promotions. Tickets are on sale on at www.evenko.ca, at Centre Bell box office and at Club de boxe Champions in Montreal.

About Main Events
Main Events was founded in 1978 by the late Dan Duva and is now run by his widow Kathy Duva. As one of the top promotional companies in the world, Main Events has promoted boxing legends Evander Holyfield, Arturo Gatti, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitaker and many more. Currently, Main Events promotes WBO, IBF and WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev. Main Events is committed to promoting quality fights that boxing fans want to see.

About InterBox
InterBox, founded in Québec in 1997, and acquired by Groupe Sportscene in 2004, is a boxing organization that is recognized and respected throughout the Quebec province and the world. Its goal is to promote professional boxing, locally and internationally, with talented boxers who are supervised by top-notch trainers and have access to a cutting-edge support staff. InterBox regularly promotes and presents first-rate events in cooperation with such major corporate sponsors as Vidéotron, La Cage – Brasserie sportive and Coors Light.

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Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev – WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion

On Pascal changing his training camp:
“What he says and what he will do in the ring is two different things.”

On his game plan for this fight:
“I don’t have any plans for the fight. We will go to the ring. A boxing fight is a street fight. No rules. It doesn’t matter what he will bring. I must be ready for anything. I don’t think about Pascal. I don’t think about what he will be. He has good motivation and he has a new coach, but I just should be ready for anything. If he will bring something better, it doesn’t matter.”

On being overconfident in the rematch:
“I am prepared the same with 100% responsible and I understand he is more motivated for this fight – more than the first one. He wants to be looking good in front of his fans in Canada but I am sure, and I know, that half of his fans shoot to my side after the last fight. He will pay for this January 30. We will see January 30 who he is. Usually who fought against me they are not going on in their careers afterwards. I didn’t destroy him because referee stopped the fight and saved his career. He forgot to say to referee thank you for saving my career. I have to finish my job. It should be a very different fight.”

On being angry at Pascal:
“This fight is personal fight. It is something personal for me. It is not everything true that he is speaking. I understand for why he is doing this. He is trying to make me angry. I am giving him a reminder. I didn’t do my job last time. I should have stopped his career.”

On his potential fight with Andre Ward:
“Andre ward is a great boxer. I am very happy he came to my division and we can make a very good fight for the fans. I want to fight with him, but now I have to stay focused on my next fight with Jean Pascal. ”

Jean Pascal – Former light heavyweight world champion

On changing trainers:
“Freddie Roach is a great coach. The big difference is he has the eye of the tiger. He sees things that other people can’t see. With his experience, he just polishes it for me. Camp is going beyond my expectations. The last ten days I was tired but now I am right back on track.”

On drug testing:
“It is just to show the world that we are in a clean sport and we are clean boxers. We can show the world that we are clean athletes. I am happy Sergey agreed to do this.”

On the early stoppage:
“Kovalev said I am talking a lot, but he is the one that is talking a lot. He says he is going to knock me out and end my career. I am still on top. I am still here. I am still selling out arenas even though I am not a champion. Sergey talks a lot. I hope this time he is going to be able to back it up.”

On John David Jackson’s comments:
“John David Jackson should mind his own business. He is not in my body and in my mind. He doesn’t know shit about me. I am still a warrior. I am still in my prime. The first fight was stopped early. Sergey was winning but I was coming back.”

On the bad blood between him and Kovalev:
“I know what I have to do to win this fight. Freddie Roach taught me what I needed to learn. The 30th I am going to apply everything that Freddie taught me. The last fight everyone was saying I need a rematch because it was Kovalev’s closest fight ever. It is going to be a good fight. The main thing for me is to stay focused.”

On why this fight will be different:
“This is all about continuing to improve myself with a new trainer, new technique and new approach. This will allow me to demonstrate a new Jean Pascal in the ring on January 30.”

On the importance of the first two rounds:
“I am not looking to make any excuses for the first couple rounds of the first fight. I am making those changes with Freddie Roach now and I do not anticipate being in the same mindset in this fight.”

On short training camp with Freddie Roach:
“I am not starting from scratch. I have many years of boxing. We are just tweaking some small mistakes to deliver big changes.”

Kathy Duva – CEO, Main Events

“We liked it so much the first time we are going to do it again. Ticket sales are beyond our projections so we are very happy. We have two great warriors who are going to create some fireworks and everyone is going to be entertained. We want to thank HBO and our good friends at Interbox. We really enjoy working with both of them.”

On whether or not Pascal deserves the rematch:
“People have short memories. Many members of the media felt he earned a rematch. That was what most people were asking when the fight ended. There are other options out there and the economics are best here. Jean Pascal is still the best available fighter willing to get in the ring with Sergey. He is coming in with Freddie Roach, which brings more to the table. Sergey and Pascal are going to give their best. We think our fighter can win and so does the Pascal side.”

“We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible next week.”

Pierre Duc – President, Interbox

“Many thanks to HBO for allowing this to happen again. Thanks to Main Events and Sergey Kovalev for coming here again to defend his titles. It is our third project in the year with Main Events. This sets an example for how promoters should be working together. Kovalev-Pascal I was nothing short of spectacular. We are expecting an even greater performance again next week. Do not miss this great evening.”

On current ticket sales:
“We were closer to what we sold on the first fight. By the time we get to the Belle Centre I think there will be about 9,000 fans in the building.”

“We wish all the best for the two fighters. May the best man win. Those who are going to be watching are going to be given a phenomenal night. Looking forward to seeing everyone on January 30.”

John David Jackson – Trainer, Kovalev

“When we talk about the first fight, we talk about the mistakes that were made. This is a grudge match. It isn’t hard to get him motivated. Now we need to cross all the T’s and dot all the I’s. The fight with Gonzalez on the last card, Pascal looked shot. I don’t see much more he can do. He is going to have to make a dog fight in the ring to stand with Sergey.”

“Pascal may not be the same fighter that he once was but he is still dangerous. Sergey is ready and motivated. He wants to make a statement with this fight. No shortcomings on our side. We will be ready come fight night.”

On Freddie Roach:
“It could make a difference. It depends on the student you have. I don’t know if Pascal can do that. He has been around for a while and has been a champion. How much can Freddie teach him in one fight? It usually takes me three or four fights to really work out all the kinks with a fighter.”

Freddie Roach – Trainer, Pascal

On changes made with Pascal in this training camp:
“He is boxing a lot better. We are shortening the combinations up. He is definitively ready to fight. You will see a much better fighter this time around. It is a short amount of time. Jean has picked it up quickly. His power is still there also. If he fights smart, he can win this fight.”

On the importance of the earlier rounds:
“We don’t want him to fall into his old style and lay on the ropes. Jean Pascal doesn’t work with Roy Jones anymore because Pascal is better than Jones.”

About January 30
The grudge match for the unified light heavyweight world championship between Sergey Kovalev and Jean Pascal, a Vidéotron presentation in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu, will be televised live in the United States on HBO beginning 9:45pm ET/PT. In Canada the event will be available on pay-per-view TV, please consult with your local cable provider. The card is promoted by Main Events and InterBox in association with German Titov Promotions. Tickets are on sale on at www.evenko.ca, at Centre Bell box office and at Club de boxe Champions in Montreal.

About Main Events
Main Events was founded in 1978 by the late Dan Duva and is now run by his widow Kathy Duva. As one of the top promotional companies in the world, Main Events has promoted boxing legends Evander Holyfield, Arturo Gatti, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitaker and many more. Currently, Main Events promotes WBO, IBF and WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev. Main Events is committed to promoting quality fights that boxing fans want to see.

About InterBox
InterBox, founded in Québec in 1997, and acquired by Groupe Sportscene in 2004, is a boxing organization that is recognized and respected throughout the Quebec province and the world. Its goal is to promote professional boxing, locally and internationally, with talented boxers who are supervised by top-notch trainers and have access to a cutting-edge support staff. InterBox regularly promotes and presents first-rate events in cooperation with such major corporate sponsors as Vidéotron, La Cage – Brasserie sportive and Coors Light.

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Welterweight Ray Robinson was injured in a car accident and will not be able to compete in his January 30 bout with Dmitry Mikhaylenko that was to be televised on HBO as the co-feature to the rematch of Sergey Kovalev and Jean Pascal in Montreal, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“He hurt his back. He’s in pain even when he tries to sit down,” said Robinson’s promoter Russell Peltz said. “It’s a real bummer. This was a big fight for Ray.

MONTREAL, January 8th 2016 – Main Events and InterBox are proud to offer to boxing fans a quality card with a championship flair this January 30 at the Bell Centre. The event, which will feature the unified light heavyweight world championship grudge match between WBA, WBO and IBF title holder Sergey Kovalev and former world champion Jean Pascal, will also put two other titles on the line : Dmitry Mikhaylenko against Ray Robinson for the USBA welterweight belt as well as Renan St-Juste against Francis Lafrenière for the International IBF middleweight title.

“We asked our team to put together a balanced and diverse card that would showcase our up-and-coming talent,” said InterBox Vice President Pierre Duc.

To kick the evening off, Quebec-based hard puncher Steven ‘Bang Bang’ Butler (13-0-1, 11 K.O.) will meet against Angola’s Antonio Hoffmann (13-0, 9 K.O.). Just like Eye of the Tiger Management’s young local rookie, Hoffman is a fierce competitor who has a devastating punch and is quite gifted technically.

“I am presently in camp in the United States for my bout against Hoffman and I am in great shape,” said Butler. “I’m pumped for this fight and I look forward to it, as well as to all the challenges 2016 will bring me. I have lofty goals and I intend to impress the crowd at Bell Centre on January 30.”

After another impressive performance in front of his fans where he beat Quebec-based boxer Frank Cotroni in spectacular fashion, Sorel’s David Théroux (8-1, 5 K.O.) will be back in the Bell Centre ring on January 30 to face Mexican boxer Juan Armando Garcia (12-2-2, 5 K.O.) in a six-round middleweight bout.

Théroux said he is thrilled to fight on the undercard of the unified world championship grudge match between Sergey Kovalev and Jean Pascal: “Their first fight was a memorable night for me and a great number of boxing fans considering the quality of the fights that were scheduled that night and the electric atmosphere there was in the building! I am confident I will put on a good show on January 30 because my opponent, Juan Armando Garcia, is a tough fighter who does not shy away from challenges.”

For his part, Sébastien Bouchard (11-1, 4 K.O.) will be back in action to fight Poland’s Damian Mielewczky (9-1, 7 K.O.) at 160 pounds.

The grudge match for the unified light heavyweight world championship between Sergey ‘Krusher’ Kovalev and Jean Pascal, a Vidéotron presentation in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu, will be televised live in the United States on HBO World Championship Boxing ® beginning 9:45pm ET/PT. The HBO telecast will open with a 10-round welterweight contest between Dmitry Mikhaylenko and Ray Robinson. In Canada the event will be available on pay-per-view TV, please consult with your local cable provider. The card is promoted by Main Events and InterBox in association with German Titov Promotions. Tickets are on sale on at www.evenko.ca, at Centre Bell box office and at Club de boxe Champions in Montreal.

Montreal, Quebec, Canada: Undefeated welterweight prospect Dmitry “The Mechanic” Mikhaylenko (20-0, 9 KOs) will look to make his mark in the wide-open welterweight division against southpaw Ray “The New Ray Robinson” Robinson (20-2, 9 KOs) in the opening 10-round bout of the Kovalev-Pascal II HBO World Championship Boxing event Saturday, Jan. 30 live from the Centre Bell in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The telecast begins at 9:45 pm ET/PT live on HBO®.

Mikhaylenko, 29, from Gelendzhik, Russia, is co-promoted by Main Events and German Titov Promotions. “The Mechanic” is undefeated and stopped his last three opponents, including former interim super lightweight titleholder Johan Perez. This will be his second fight in Canada; he stopped Felipe De la Paz in the fifth round on the undercard of Kovalev-Pascal I.

Dmitry Mikhaylenko

Dmitry said, “I am excited to be on HBO and back in Canada. This is a big fight for me; I am looking to get my name in the hunt at the top of the welterweight division. I am also excited to be opening for my countryman, Sergey Kovalev. I hope to put on a great show.”

Robinson, also 29, is a tough southpaw from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who has not lost a fight in over five years. He has won his last nine fights in a row, five of them by way of knockout. In his last fight he defended his NABO Welterweight Title with a ten-round unanimous decision victory over Sherzodbek Alimjanov back in April of this year.

“Success comes with a price,” said Robinson. “I paid my dues. Jan. 30 will be another step closer to my dreams.”

Ray Robinson
Ray Robinson

According to Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events, “These are the kinds of fights that fans want to see. In the stacked welterweight division these are two ranked fighters, both in the prime of their careers, looking to make their mark. Dmitry continues to impress us as he has quietly worked his way through the ranks of the division. He is willing to stand and trade punches with anyone and has proven on numerous occasions that with his high punch output he ready for anything.”

German Titov, Mikhaylenko’s co-promoter added, “We have put on a lot of great shows with Main Events. I am excited to collaborate on another top-tier event. Mikhaylenko is hungry to make a name for himself in one of the most competitive divisions in boxing and a win over a ranked fighter like Robinson will go a long way towards achieving that goal.”

About January 30
The grudge match for the unified light heavyweight world championship between Sergey Kovalev and Jean Pascal, a Vidéotron presentation in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu, will be televised live in the United States on HBO beginning 9:45pm ET/PT as well as on pay-per-view TV in Canada. The card is promoted by Main Events and Interbox in association with German Titov Promotions. Tickets are on sale on at www.evenko.ca, at the Bell Centre box office and at Club de boxe Champions in Montreal.

About Main Events
Main Events was founded in 1978 by the late Dan Duva and is now run by his widow Kathy Duva. As one of the top promotional companies in the world, Main Events has promoted boxing legends Evander Holyfield, Arturo Gatti, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitaker and many more. Currently, Main Events promotes WBO, IBF and WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev. Main Events is committed to promoting quality fights that boxing fans want to see.

About InterBox
InterBox, founded in Québec in 1997, and acquired by Groupe Sportscene in 2004, is a boxing organization that is recognized and respected throughout the Quebec province and the world. Its goal is to promote professional boxing, locally and internationally, with talented boxers who are supervised by top-notch trainers and have access to a cutting-edge support staff. InterBox regularly promotes and presents first-rate events in cooperation with such major corporate sponsors as Vidéotron, La Cage – Brasserie sportive and Coors Light.

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MONTREAL, December 18, 2015 – Main Events and InterBox are excited to unveil the first bout between two local fighters that will be on the undercard of the unified light heavyweight world championship fight between the holder of IBF, WBA and WBO titles Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev and former world champion Jean Pascal on January 30 at the Bell Centre. Indeed, both promoters are happy to announce to boxing fans from the province of Quebec a long-awaited confrontation between Canadian middleweight champion Francis Lafrenière (10-5-2, 6 K.O.) and veteran boxer Renan St-Juste (26-4-1, 18 K.O.) for the IBF International middleweigth belt.

Renan St-Juste said he couldn’t wait to go into the ring on January 30 : “I’ve beaten all the Quebec-based boxers in my weight division except two : David Lemieux and Francis Lafrenière. The latter, who has improved a lot recently and has moved up significantly in world rankings, was the next one on my list. He’s a good warrior and I will definitely not underestimate him. But it will be a first for him at Bell Centre and he will be facing an experienced boxer.”

Lafrenière, who has a perfect record in his last seven bouts, is not intimidated by his opponent’s experience : “I’ve been lucky enough to train with several talented fighters, including Lucian Bute, David Lemieux, Georges St-Pierre and Eleider Alvarez. I’ve learned a whole lot and I’m ready for this next challenge, which has already created a buzz. On January 30 at Bell Centre, not only will it be personal between Sergey Kovalev and Jean Pascal; it will also be the case for Renan St-Juste and I.”

“We’re aiming to give boxing fans a fight card that will highlight the great talent level our local boxers have. We are therefore working very hard on the undercard, which should be unveiled in full soon,” said InterBox Vice President Pierre Duc.

The grudge match for the unified light heavyweight world championship between Sergey Kovalev and Jean Pascal, a Vidéotron presentation in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu, will be broadcast live in the United States by HBO as well as on pay-per-view TV in Canada. Tickets are now on sale on the evenko network at www.evenko.ca, at the Bell Centre box office and at Club de boxe Champions in Montreal.

For more information,
visit www.MainEvents.com, www.interbox.ca/en/home, www.KovalevBoxer.com, www.JeanPascalBoxing.com and www.hbo.com/boxing. Follow on Twitter @Main_Events, @KrusherKovalev, @interboxca, @JeanPascalChamp, @HBOBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing, www.facebook.com/interbox, or www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

Visit us at Instagram @Main_Events and @HBOBoxing. Use the hashtag #KovalevPascal2 to take part in discussions on Twitter.

It’s a holiday treat for HBO Boxing fans. Over four consecutive nights in late December, the HBO service will present nine of the year’s standout fights, spotlighting some of the biggest names in the sport in riveting performances. Featured are signature wins by Canelo Alvarez, Gennady Golovkin, Sergey Kovalev, Terence Crawford, Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez and Timothy Bradley Jr.

Starting Sunday, Dec. 27, HBO will replay nine major league showdowns from this year sprinkled over four consecutive nights. All the fights will also be available on HBO ON DEMAND® as well as the HBO NOW and HBO GO® services.

The “Boxing’s Best” lineup airs at 11:00 p.m. each night and includes:

Sunday, December 27 Sergey Kovalev vs. Jean Pascal I
Terence Crawford vs. Dierry Jean
Canelo Alvarez vs. James Kirkland

Monday, December 28 Lucas Matthysse vs. Ruslan Provodnikov
Timothy Bradley Jr. vs. Brandon Rios

Tuesday, December 29 Gennady Golovkin vs. David Lemieux
Takashi Miura vs. Francisco Vargas

Wednesday, December 30 Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez
Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez vs. Brian Viloria

*Winners names are in italics
All Times ET/PT

v

MONTREAL, November 30, 2015 – Although the fight is still two months away, there was already tension between unified light heavyweight title holder Sergey Kovalev and former world champion Jean Pascal at Monday’s press conference held at Bell Centre’s La Cage – Brasserie Sportive. Main Events and InterBox formally announce the rematch for the Unified WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Championship set to take place on Saturday, January 30 at Bell Centre. The event will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.

While Pascal (30-3-1, 17 K.-O.), the former WBC, IBO and The Ring light heavyweight world champion, vowed to surprise Kovalev (28-0-1, 25 K.-O.), who is the current WBO and IBF light heavyweight world title holder, as well as the WBA Super World light heavyweight champ, the Canadian boxer also said that he would “teach him respect, and to respect Canadian boxing fans”.

Earlier this year, on March 14 at Montreal’s Bell Centre, Kovalev beat Pascal by TKO in the 8th round. But Pascal’s side said the 35-year-old Quebec-based boxer would make amends this time around.

“Jean Pascal put Sergey Kovalev in trouble in several rounds in the first bout, and I’m convinced he will be even better this time around,” said InterBox President Jean Bédard. “We’re in for a great fight and that’s why it didn’t take much time for HBO to decide to broadcast this rematch.”

Jean Pascal stated, “I put him down in the 8th round in the first fight, but they called it a slip. But I promise you that Kovalev is going to have a full plate in the rematch. I’m going to have a full plate as well, but I have a new trainer (Freddie Roach), I’ve changed things, I’ve improved in ways that Kovalev cannot even imagine. I’m going to break up the party, I’m going to teach him respect, and to respect Canadian boxing fans.”

“I’m not a talker, I’m a fighter,” responded Kovalev. “I’m will make him close his mouth once and for all on January 30.”

“Not many boxers have agreed to step into the ring with Krusher a second time, so Pascal must be respected for showing the guts to do it,” said Egis Klimas, Kovalev’s manager. “So even though I don’t agree with much of what Pascal says, I respect the warrior that he is.”

Tickets go on sale this Friday at 2:00 p.m. ET. Visit www.evenko.ca.

Like the first fight, the rematch will take place on Pascal’s turf and is expect to attract a large crowd at Bell Centre.

“Krusher likes to fight in his opponent’s city because he loves to disappoint the opposing boxer’s fans,” said Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events, Kovalev’s promoter.

Since the first Kovalev-Pascal fight, Kovalev beat Nadjib Mohammedi (37-4-0, 23 KO) by knock-out in the third round on July 25 in Las Vegas, while Pascal beat Yunieski Gonzalez (16-1-0, 12 KO) by unanimous decision in 10 rounds while fighting on the same card.

Pascal said he will leave home for the next two months to prepare in the United States for the January 30 fight. He will spend part of his camp south of the border with Freddie Roach, his new trainer.

“It will be a sacrifice to spend Christmas and New Year’s Day away from my loved ones, but it will be worth it. I’ll be celebrating the New Year with style on February 1st!”

“This time around, preventing Kovalev from going ahead with combinations will be key. That will be part of my game plan,” said Pascal.

“I will give it my all, I will apply all the skills I have and put them into this fight,” said Kovalev.

About Main Events
Main Events was founded in 1978 by the late Dan Duva and is now run by his widow Kathy Duva. As one of the top promotional companies in the world, Main Events has promoted boxing legends Evander Holyfield, Arturo Gatti, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitaker and many more. Currently, Main Events promotes WBO, IBF and WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev. Main Events is committed to promoting quality fights that boxing fans want to see.

About InterBox
InterBox, founded in Québec in 1997, and acquired by Groupe Sportscene in 2004, is a boxing organization that is recognized and respected throughout the Quebec province and the world. Its goal is to promote professional boxing, locally and internationally, with talented boxers who are supervised by top-notch trainers and have access to a cutting-edge support staff. InterBox regularly promotes and presents first-rate events in cooperation with such major corporate sponsors as Vidéotron, La Cage – Brasserie sportive and Coors Light.

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Totowa, NJ: WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (28-0-1, 25 KOs) was scheduled to fight for the first time as a champion in Russia, his home country, in late November but the fight has been postponed due to scheduling conflicts. Kovalev will return to the ring very early in 2016. The date, opponent and location will be revealed shortly.

According to Sergey’s promoter, Main Events’ CEO Kathy Duva, “The two fights would simply have been too close together. As we worked on Sergey’s schedule for next year, it became clear that the best course would be to schedule his first bout in 2016 as early in the year as possible. While Sergey is disappointed that the bout in Moscow must be postponed, he understands that the change in schedule is necessary at this time and he will return to Russia to fight in front of his fans there as soon as possible.”

Kovalev, a consensus top-five pound-for-pound boxer and 2014 Fighter of the Year, has been an extremely active champion since winning his first title in August of 2013. He has defended his titles six times, including defeating the legendary Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins in a unification bout in November of last year. “The Krusher” is looking ahead to a big 2016.

otowa, NJ: Last week Isaac “Golden Boy” Chilemba (24-2-2, 10 KOs) had the very rare privilege of choosing between two mandatory offers: one from the WBC and the other from the IBF. The 28-year old from Malawi opted to take the offer from the WBC. Shortly thereafter, the IBF extended the mandatory fight offer to Main Events’ stablemate Sullivan Barrera (16-0, 11 KOs), the 33-year old Cuban defector.

Yesterday, Chilemba formally accepted the the WBC elimination bout against Eleider “Storm” Alvarez (18-0, 10 KOs) of Apartado, Colombia and Yvon Michel, Alvarez’s promoter, formally accepted for Alvarez. The winner of this fight will be poised as the WBC’s mandatory challenger in the light heavyweight division and will have their shot at current WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion, Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (26-1, 21 KOs).

Regarding Alvarez, Chilemba said, “I’m very happy that he accepted that challenge. I’m not taking Alvarez lightly, he is a good fighter all round. I know he wants to be a champion himself, unfortunately not this time as this is my time. By the time we meet, I’ll be 100% ready and, even though my mind is fully focused on the present opportunity, it brings me closer to that WBC championship I have been working so hard to get to. Just that is what will drive me into leaving nothing to chance when I face Alvarez. I really appreciate the great work of my team getting me where I am today.”

His manager, Jodi Solomon added, “I want to thank Alvarez and his team for accepting the fight. Isaac has wanted this opportunity for the longest time and I believe with Buddy [McGirt] in his corner, nothing will be left to chance. Thank you also to Main Events for helping to get Isaac this opportunity.”

Sullivan Barrera
Photo Credits: Mike Gladysz/Main Events

Last week, Barrera formally accepted his offer from the IBF to face Artur Beterbiev (9-0, 9 KOs) for the mandatory position in the IBF. The winner will face WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (28-0-1, 25 KOs).

An eager Barrera said, “I’m excited to finally get my opportunity. I’m looking forward to the fight. I don’t know anything about Beterbiev. Only thing I know is to get to the top I have to beat him. Looking forward to the opportunity.”

Sullivan is trained by world renowned trainer, Abel Sanchez, who is best known for training current IBF and WBA Middleweight World Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin. When asked about this opportunity, Sanchez replied, “Warriors understand greatness is only reached when you challenge yourself. Sullivan Barrera is a warrior wanting to be champion and knows that fighting the perceived best is the fastest way to your dreams coming true.”

Main Events CEO, Kathy Duva, who promotes Chilemba, Barrera and Kovalev, said, “We’ve been focused on the light heavyweight division for the past few years. I’m delighted that so many of our efforts are paying off at the same time and that Isaac and Sullivan are finally getting the opportunities that they’ve earned and have been waiting for. Yvon (Michel, who promotes both Beterbiev and Alvarez) and I have a lot to talk about! I’ve reached out for him and expect that we’ll begin negotiations over the weekend.”

There is no rest for the highly motivated and driven. On August 27th Sullivan Barrera (16-0 11 KO’s) will return to the high altitude of Big Bear, Calif. to resume training under the guidance of Abel Sanchez.

Barrera is hoping for a quick return to the ring after his 8 round destruction of Hakim Zoulikha on July 25th at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

On the same card former champion Jean Pascal won a controversial decision over Yuniesky Gonzalez and Barrera still wants revenge for his compatriot.

“I called Pascal out after he got a gift against my boy Yuniesky. He knows he lost that fight. I don’t know why this guy continues to duck me. Is he scared of all Cubans now? Pascal I’m waiting for you papa. Glove up,” said Barrera.

The former Cuban standout is willing to face any top 10 contender but has his sites clearly focused on Pascal.

“Is Pascal going to be a coward and just wait for a Kovalev rematch? No one thought you beat Yuniesky. Fight me to prove you deserve a Kovalev rematch. He already knocked you out so it’s not like that fight is in high demand. You can earn the rematch by winning a real fight. I already said I would go to Canada so man up,” Barrera stated.

By Norm Fraiebheim–

Sergey Kovalev’s stoppage of Nadjib Mohammedi last Saturday in Las Vegas marked a six-year anniversary of his first fight in North America. It was a beginning then. In some ways, it still is.

As the Russian learns English, we begin to learn more about him. At times, he’s as blunt as the Russian hammer.

Ask him about Adonis Stevenson, and his response is profane. He looks as if he’s about to take off a shoe and bang it on a table the way Nikita Khrushchev did at the United Nations in 1960.

He looks at ex-trainer Abel Sanchez with a glare that reminds you of news photos of a Putin-Obama stare down. Then, he breaks into a smile that, so far, has been interpreted as either predatory, or goofy, or good-natured.

Who is this guy? Yakov Smirnoff, the Russian comedian? Ivan Drago, the arrogant character in Rocky IV? Or both?

Hard to say right now. But that’s the intriguing part of Kovalev’s ongoing introduction, a journey that started with a first-round stoppage on July 25, 2009 of somebody named Daniel Chavez in Greensboro, N.C, to a third-round knockout in a light-heavyweight title defense on July 25, 2015 at Mandalay Bay.

With apologies to Dos Equis, Kovalev has become the most interesting man in boxing.

It’s based on what we’ve seen. His unbeaten record is built around a swift right hand that is as long as it is lethal. Then, there’s what most of us didn’t see. His record includes Roman Simakov, who died three days after Kovalev stopped him within seven rounds of a December, 2011 bout in Russia.

There’s reason to fear him. There’s reason to like him.

There are reasons to watch him.

Putting together the evident pieces of stardom, however, is about finding the right business partners, all at the right time. Kovalev promoter Kathy Duva sees the potential for an era comparable to the 1980s when Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns staged a four-way middleweight rivalry as legendary as any in boxing’s star-crossed history.

George Kimball wrote about it in his terrific book, Four Kings: Leonard, Hagler, Hearns, Duran and the Last Great Era of Boxing.

Duva thinks she might already have three sides to a potential sequel. There’s super-middleweight Andre Ward. Duva believes Ward-Kovalev is likely, probably next year perhaps at 172-pound catch weight.

Then, there’s Gennady Golovkin. In ongoing talks with Ward’s management, Duva says she’s been told that it wants Ward to fight Golovkin before Kovalev.

There’s already been speculation about Golovkin-Kovalev, despite the weight difference. GGG is a middleweight (160 pounds), and a small one at that. Kovalev is a natural 175 pounder. If Ward and GGG can agree on a catch weight, however, it’s not a stretch to think that a deal on weight can be made for GGG-Kovalev.

But who completes the square circle? Who’s the fourth rival? Thus far, it looks as if Stevenson doesn’t want to risk his piece of light-heavyweight title. That’s why Kovalev has repeatedly calls him a piece of bleep. Earlier this week, Stevenson announced he would fight somebody named Tommy Karpency. I guess Andre Berto is busy.

The Stevenson possibility is further complicated by his professional relationship. He’s with Al Haymon’s PBC. Given their rocky history, a joint venture between Duva and Haymon is unlikely. She sued him. The case never got to court. It was dropped when Bernard Hopkins agreed to fight Kovalev, who went on to win a one-sided decision last November.

She has offered Artur Beterbiev a Nov. 28 fight against Kovalev in Moscow. It’s a natural. Beterbiev, an emerging light-heavyweight and former Olympian, beat Kovalev when they were Russian amateurs.

The problem is Haymon. He has a contract with Beterbiev. Duva sent the offer to Beterbiev promoter Yvon Michel of Montreal. Duva expects some kind of answer next week.
The search continues. A chance at boxing’s next great era depends on it.

LAS VEGAS – Sergey Kovalev is blunt and effective.

Mostly, he’s predictable.

If you want subtlety, pick another Russian game. Chess, maybe. It’s full of a lot of pawns, which is what every light-heavyweight has become when faced with Kovalev.

Nadjib Mohammedi was just the latest on a board that Kovalev continues to rule with impunity. Andre Ward looks like a challenger. Maybe, Adonis Stevenson. But those are only fights to imagine, talk about. For now, it’s Kovalev’s empire.

“I wanted to make him look like a clown,’’ Kovalev (28-0-1, 25 KOs) said. “I wanted to make him look like a fool.’’

At 2:38 of the third round Saturday night, that’s exactly what Mohammedi (37-4, 23 KOs) looked like. He was down, finished by a right-left combination that left the Frenchman with a damaged left eye.

“I wanted it to continue,’’ said Kovalev, who also put Mohammedi on all fours with a crushing right hand that is as long as it is lethal. “I wanted more rounds.’’

Kovalev didn’t say so. But he might have wanted more time to drive home a point to his ex-trainer, Abel Sanchez, who was in Mohammedi’s corner.

Sanchez and Kovalev split in 2010 for reasons that remain unclear. What is clear, however, is that Kovalev has not been happy with the circumstances. The Russian never forgets. But he did serve up some cold vengeance in taking down Mohammedi.

Sanchez, Gennady Golovkin’s trainer, tried to explain the one-sided loss.

“It was Mandalay Bay, the bright lights, the pressure,’’ Sanchez said in the middle of the ring during the bout’s immediate aftermath.

Noticed, he never mentioned Kovalev.

The bout, which took place in front of lot of empty seats at Mandalay Bay, will quickly be forgotten. Kovalev will move on, presumably to a show dwon with Ward sometime next year. His immediate plans are for a bout in Moscow on Nov. 28. His promoter, Kathy Duiva of Main Events, said she will offer the bout to Artur Beterbiev, another Russian. Trouble is, Beterbiev is advised by Al Haymon, a Duva rival.

Next pawn, please.

Maybe, Jean Pascal.
Pascal (30-3-1, 17 KOs) ducked repeated sledge-hammer rights and, in the end, ducked an upset in winning a narrow decision that had many in the crowd crying foul and Yunieski Gonzalez (24-3-2, 10 KOs) crying tears. It was unanimous, but only the scorecards..

ON THE UNDERCARD

The Best: Joel Diaz, a junior-welterweight from trainer Abel Sanchez’ Summit Gym in Big Bear, Calif., flashed a prospect’s credentials with double-edged power.
Diaz (19-0, 15 KOs, scored two knockdowns of Alejandro Rodriguez (24-18-1, 14 KOs, in the second round, the first with a right and the second with a left. He finished Rodriguez, of Guadalajara, with a beautiful right hand for a TKO at 39 seconds of the fourth.

The Rest: Unbeaten light-heavyweight Sullivan Barrera (16-0, 11 KOs) of Miami was bleeding, looked tired and appeared to be near defeat when he railed, fighting with urgency in the seventh and energy in the eighth for a TKO of France’s Hakim Zoulikha 21-8, 10 KOs), who was one the canvas early in the eighth and finished when he absorbed a succession of blows at 1:34 of the round.

The show opened with a KO, delivered by Connecticut heavyweight Cassius Chaney (3-0, 2 KOs), who knocked Eduardo Ramirez (1-3, 1 KO) of Yuma, Ariz., unconscious and onto the canvas with a left hand at 1:35 of the first round.

Rodney Hernandez (8-2-1, 1 KO), heavyweight from Modesto, Calif, got a six-round, split decision over Brice Ritani-Coe (4-4-1, 3 KOs). Ritani-Coe, of San Pedro, Calif., shook his head in disagreement. But it was hard to know if anybody agreed with him. The arena was empty when the scores were announced.

By Norm Frauenheim-

LAS VEGAS – It starts with a smile. It’s there because Sergey Kovalev genuinely enjoys what he does. Then again, so does a crocodile.

That smile was perhaps a hint at what many expect Saturday. Kovalev turned his head away from Nadjib Mohammadi during the ritual stare-down after a formal weigh-in Friday at Mandalay Bay.

After tipping the scales at 174.5 pounds, Kovalev (27-0-1, 24 KOs) looked at the crowd, flashing that grin with teeth that could make a Great White blink. It’s hard to know what Nadjib Mohammedi (37-3, 23 KOs) thought during a moment when he looked a little bit like prey.

Mohammedi, who was at 173 pounds, is given no chance in a light-heavyweight bout televised by HBO (10 pm ET/PT). That’s probably not fair to a tough fighter who might have a significant advantage in his corner. Abel Sanchez, Kovalev’s ex-trainer, is Mohammedi’s current trainer. But will that, or anything else, make a difference? Few believe it will go the full 12 rounds.

Consider this: On a wagering sheet at the Mandalay Bay’s sports book, there’s a proposition that has Kovalev at minus-2200 to win by knockout. In other words, you’ve got to put up $2,200 to win $100.

“Where’s the closest ATM?’’ a wise guy in the media room said. “That sounds like an easy way to pick up a quick $100.’’

Maybe.

But all of that could change at opening bell. Above all, Mohammedi has absolutely nothing to lose. Sanchez is quick to remind everybody that Mike Tyson was a lopsided favorite to beat Buster Douglas in Tokyo. Huge upsets happen, all right

On Friday, however, all of the talk was about Kovalev and what was next for the Russian with the predatory smile. One scenario has him fighting Jean Pascal next in a rematch if Pascal gets past Yuniesky Gonzalez, a tough-looking Cuban, who escaped Cuba on small boat crowded with refugees in 2009.

Then, there’s the projected showdown that has already begun to capture the public’s imagination: Kovalev-versus-Andre Ward. It sounds as if it’s inevitable. Kovalev promoter Kathy Duva of Main Events says talks are ongoing.

“In fact, those talks have been better than most,’’ she said this week.

There’s speculation that it might happen next year, perhaps after there’s some clarity about when Floyd Mayweather Jr. will in fact retire. Kovalev-Ward could be sold as the fight that will determine Mayweather’s successor at the top of the pound-for-pound debate.

All of the talk has made Kovalev-Mohammedi look like a steppingstone for a legend in the making. That, the lopsided odds and a rival PBC promotion featuring BJ Flores-versus Beibut Shumenov in Vegas The Palms are probably having a lousy impact on ticket sales, although Duva said there has been an uptick during the last couple of days.

But ticket sales, talk about who’s next and speculation about what’s next didn’t seem to matter much to Kovalev. Only an imminent opening bell does. That’s always a reason to smile.

LONDON (24 July) – Knockout king Sergey Kovalev has labelled Adonis Stevenson as “not a real champion” and dreams of capturing his WBC belt.

The unified WBA, WBO and IBF light-heavyweight world champion has conquered all before him, including wins over the legendary Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal, but a showdown with 175-pound rival and current WBC champion Stevenson has eluded him.

A clash has been much talked about over the past year but 32-year-old Kovalev is now set to do battle this Saturday night, live and exclusive on BoxNation, against Frenchman Nadjib Mohammedi but his ambition is still to complete his title haul by adding the WBC belt.

“I don’t want to speak about him [Stevenson] at all because he’s not a real champion. He got lucky once against Chad Dawson when Dawson dropped his title against Andre Ward.

“Andre Ward destroyed him and he didn’t recover for the fight against Stevenson. He got lucky and right now is still “champion”. It’s smart for the business but it’s not good for boxing,” said Kovalev.

“I’m ready for any fight but I keep in my mind to win the WBC title first of all but I’m open for any fight. I think I’m a regular world champion but I have three world titles, the WBO, WBA and IBF, but my dream is to get a fourth.

“We’ll see what happens in the future. I hope somebody beats Stevenson and gets the WBC title and then we can make the fight. Even if it is a harder or tougher boxer, it’s no problem. I just need an agreement for a fight for the WBC and a unification,” he said.

The formidable Russian, who is undefeated in 28 bouts with 24 knockouts, is well aware however that a tough task lies ahead this weekend against Mohammedi.

The 30-year-old, a ten year professional, knows his way around the ring with 37 wins and only 3 losses, goes into the fight on a four-year winning streak with a chance of hitting the big-time should he upset the odds, something which Kovalev is well aware of.

“Mohammedi is not a puncher but he knows how to box. He’s smart, sets traps and improvises a lot in the ring. He doesn’t just come forward but has good movement and angles,” said Kovalev.

“He’s also ready for 12 rounds and has good stamina and conditioning. He’s a very good opponent and is dangerous because he’s very motivated.

“I know what motivation can do for a fighter and when a man is motivated he can do a lot of things and is very dangerous. I’m prepared for 12 rounds because you never know what is going to happen in boxing,” he said.

The man who Kovalev overcame in his last fight, Canadian ace Pascal, will also be on the card when he takes on unbeaten Cuban Yunieski Gonzalez in a ten-round contest at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

“There is no place like home. I have been fighting at home my whole career. I am glad to be in Vegas, it is my first time fighting here. Every fighter on my level wants to fight at least one time in Vegas,” said Pascal.

“This is my chance to make a statement on Saturday night. I know I am still among the best in the world and best in my division. I know Yunieski Gonzalez is hungry and he wants to make a statement. I want to give a great show on Saturday night,” he said.

Prior to Saturday’s big Las Vegas show, BoxNation will also have some thrilling live domestic action tonight from 7pm when super-middleweight star Frank Buglioni takes on Fernando Castaneda.

The Enfield boxer was set to face WBA world champion Fedor Chudinov but the Russian was forced to delay the fight due to a broken nose sustained in training.

26-year-old Buglioni, however, will be looking to stay busy and get a win under his belt against the tough Mexican before eyeing up his shot at world title glory in the Autumn.

Another top name will feature on the Wembley Arena show with Billy Joe Saunders, who will fight Andy Lee for the WBO middleweight world title on September 19 in a major showdown in Limerick, facing France’s Yoann Bloyer in a crucial must win fight.

Undefeated super-featherweight Mitchell Smith is also back in action this evening against Dennis Tubieron for the WBO Intercontinental title.

Kovalev v Mohammedi is live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD, Virgin 525, TalkTalk 415 and online) this Saturday night. Visit boxnation.com to subscribe.

-Ends-
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Las Vegas, NV: On July 25, 2015 WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (27-0-1, 24 KOs) will face his first IBF mandatory challenger, Nadjib “Iron Djib” Mohammedi (37-3-0, 23 KOs) at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada and live on HBO World Championship Boxing. Although Krusher has amazing one-punch knockout power, he has struggled at times in his career against fighters with awkward styles like Mohammedi. Will the 30-year old from Gardanne, Bouches-du-Rhône, France give the champion the fight of his life? Below is the scouting report for this intense match-up:

Category
Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev
Nadjib “The IronDjib” Mohammedi
Age
32
30
Record
27-0-1 (24 KOs)
37-3-0 (23 KOs)
Strength
Kovalev has knockout power in both hands; he has the ability to end a fight with any punch he throws. He also showed the world that he has a good chin after taking some big shots in his successful title defense against Jean Pascal in March.
Nadjib is an aggressive fighter with good hand speed and great endurance; he is always in tremendous shape and treats every fight like there is a title on the line.
He throws punches from all angles and can pose a threat to any top light heavyweight contender.
Weakness
Sergey has been knocked down before but not hurt, he tends to leave openings in his guard which could pose a problem in this bout as Nadjib has finished his last 11 of 13 opponents.
Mohammedi has a tendency to get sloppy at times, in previous fights he had a tendency to throw wide looping punches that could potentially get him into big trouble considering the power that Kovalev brings to the table.
Experience
Kovalev has fewer pro fights than Nadjib, but the past two years he’s faced and defeated three former titleholders in Bernard Hopkins, Jean Pascal and Nathan Cleverly.
Nadjib has more pro fights under his belt than Kovalev. He has fought for world titles before.
Power
Kovalev will have the clear advantage here as he is best known for his vicious knockout power in either hand. He throws nasty body shots.
Nadjib does not pack one-punch power in either hand. He is known more for the volume of punches he throws.
Speed
Kovalev has average speed that picks up once he sees he has his opponent on the ropes and he goes for the finish.
Mohammedi has quick hands and quick feet as well. He is a small light heavyweight; he moves around the ring well and is very agile.
Endurance
Sergey has shown the ability to maintain a steady pace that allows him to conserve energy while still looking sharp in the later rounds. However, he has only fought 12 rounds once in his career when he defeated the former titleholder Bernard Hopkins.
Mohammedi may have a slight edge here, as he has been 12 rounds on three separate occasions, and 10 rounds three times as well.
Accuracy
Kovalev shows great accuracy with his one-punch knockouts; he also throws very accurate and powerful shots to the body that have ended fights in the past.
Nadjib’s accuracy is evident when his opponents stand and trade shots with him; he has an accurate jab plus an overhand right that tends to follow.
Defense
Sergey’s best defense may just be his offense. His power has become a complete game-changer in the past, forcing opponents to rethink their game plan.
Mohammedi is light on his feet and moves around the ring well, making it difficult for anyone to hit him. However, he enjoys standing and trading with his opponents which could ultimately get him into trouble against The Krusher.
Chin
In his last fight Kovalev showed that his chin is more than durable, he took some big shots against a heavy hitter in Jean Pascal and managed to stay on his feet and earn the stoppage win.
Nadjib’s chin may be in question here; he has been stopped twice in his career and has never been in the ring with a puncher as devastating as Kovalev.
Style
Sergey is an offensive-minded fighter who likes to walk his opponents down then go for the finish.
Mohammedi is a boxer who shows signs of being a volume puncher while utilizing great counter-punching.
Crowd Support
Sergey’s popularity has greatly increased since major wins over Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal. He is now competing in the fight capital of the world, so Kovalev will likely have majority of the crowd support here.
Nadjib may be at a disadvantage here as he is not well known just yet. However, Nadjib is a gamer and treats every fight like it’s a title fight, which is a mentality and style that may win him some crowd support throughout this fight.
Intangibles
Kovalev’s previous two bouts were by far the toughest of his career. He defeated Bernard Hopkins in November of 2014, and just four months later he earned a stoppage win over former world champion Jean Pascal. Now, rather than take some extra time to recover and enjoy these wins, he returns to the ring after another quick four-month turnaround and takes on Mohammedi, who has not lost a fight in almost five years.
Nadjib has waited patiently for over a year to capitalize on his number one contender position. After earning his position in June of 2014, Nadjib decided to stay active and risk his number one ranking. He competed on Kovalev’s two previous undercards against durable opponents, against both of which he scored stoppage wins. Those risks have paid off and Nadjib will finally get his shot against the world’s best light heavyweight.
The Match-Up
Will Nadjib’s awkward style and boxing skills frustrate Kovalev?
Will Nadjib still be light on his feet in the ring once he feels Sergey’s power?
Will Sergey be able to keep focused like he did in his last two fights against Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal?
Will being an underdog and fighting on a big stage for this fight help or hurt Nadjib?
Nadjib is training with Kovalev’s former trainer, Abel Sanchez, will this give him some advantage? Will Abel have any secret insight into Kovalev’s game?

Jolene Mizzone, Main Events’ matchmaker and the current NABF Matchmaker of the Year, said about this fight, “Any fight in the light heavyweight division is an important right now. In this fight, you have Sergey Kovalev who will fight ANYONE in the division and you have Nadjib Mohammedi who has earned his spot and has been preparing for this fight for over a year. Both of these fighters are hungry; one wants to keep his belts and the other wants them from him. Also there is one guy who has that one punch knockout power and the other who has that awkward style so the question is what style will come out on top?”

About Kovalev vs. Mohammedi

WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (27-0-1, 24 KOs) will compete in his first mandatory title defense against Nadjib “Irondjib” Mohammedi (37-3, 23 KOs) on Saturday, July 25 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. The co-feature will include a ten-round light heavyweight match-up between Jean Pascal (29-3-1, 17 KOs) and Yuniesky Gonzalez (16-0, 12 KOs). Tickets are on sale now and start at $25. Tickets can be purchased through TicketMaster and all MGM Resorts Properties Ticket Offices. The HBO World Championship Boxing® telecast begins at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Sergey Kovalev’s Greatest Hits
Sergey Kovalev’s Greatest Hits

Hey Harold!: Kovalev vs. Mohammedi
Hey Harold!: Kovalev vs. Mohammedi

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By Norm Frauenheim-

LAS VEGAS – Imagine trying to demolish what you once designed. It sounds awkward and it probably is if you’re an architect suddenly hired to bring down a building you constructed.

But boxing isn’t architecture. It’s about changing roles and changing sides. One day, you’re drawing up the blueprint. The next day, you’re swinging the wrecking ball.

So it is for Abel Sanchez, who finds himself in the opposite corner Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in an attempt to bring down a feared fighter he helped create.

Sergey Kovalev was just another Russian in 2010 when Sanchez became his trainer.

Then, Sanchez didn’t exactly foresee himself in Nadjib Mohammedi’s corner as the mastermind in an attempted plot to derail Kovalev’s swift emergence as a potential successor to the pound-for-pound throne soon to be vacated by Floyd Mayweather Jr.

He was only certain that Kovalev would become a star.

“I told him, I told him he would be where he is right now,’’ Sanchez said Thursday after a news conference for the light-heavyweight bout (HB0, 10 p.m. ET/PT).

For eight fights between October, 2010 and December, 2011, Sanchez trained Kovalev. Kovalev won all eight by stoppage. Only in hindsight is it evident that Kovalev was then beginning to discover an identity now summed by his nickname, Krusher. He’s been the real wrecking ball. Everybody, even Bernard Hopkins, has been crushed by lethal power complemented by unshakable poise.

Sanchez knew he had a future champion in his gym. But he also knew he had to make tough choice. Middleweight champ Gennady Golovkin was there, too.

“Sometimes, we make choices that maybe we are forced to make,’’ Sanchez said.

What happened after that decision, however, is a matter of some debate. It also appears to be at the heart of a simmering rivalry.

Stories about sparring sessions between Golovkin and Kovalev began to circulate. Sanchez told the media that GGG once knocked down Kovalev. He also was quoted as saying that he thought Golovkin had a higher ring IQ than Kovalev.

The comments had to get back to Kovalev, who is getting to know English as well as he knows his way around the ring. Translation: Very little escapes him.

When asked about Sanchez during an international conference call, Kovalev said:

“Who is this Abel? I don’t know any Abel.’’

Kovalev didn’t have to say anything more. It’s clear he intends to show that Sanchez made the wrong choice in 2011.

“I want to show in this fight just who I really am,’’ said Kovalev (27-0-1, 24 KOs), who sounds as if he is motivated by what he believes was a sub-par performance in an eighth-round round stoppage of Jean Pascal in March.

Betting odds indicate that Mohammedi (37-3, 23 KOs), a Frenchman of Algerian descent, has no chance no matter what motivates Kovalev or who is in his corner

Mohammedi is a 33-to-1 underdog, according to odds posted on a sheet at the Mandalay Sports book late Thursday. The line is surprisingly lopsided, so much so that Mohammedi has nothing to lose. If it goes the distance, he probably earns another good payday.

“When I’m told we have no chance, that means we have every chance,’’ Mohammedi co-manager Vince Caruso said.

Best guess: Mohammedi’s best chance rests in what Sanchez knows about Kovalev. Sanchez was giving no hints Thursday as to what Mohammedi’s game plan might be. No surprise there. Instead, he praised Kovalev for the progress he’s made under trainer John David Jackson.

“He evolved,’’ Sanchez said. “He’s a world champion now. I think guys, when they become world champions, get better anyway. They have something to protect. They have something they don’t want to lose. They work harder.

“He’s a much better fighter because of all of those things and because he’s got a very good coach in John David.’’

A personal rivalry is an expected element, said Sanchez, who has been working corners long enough to know that emotion can turn an ordinary fight into great one.

“He has a very competitive nature,’’ Sanchez said. “He knows that one day he might fight another one of my guys. He might fight Golovkin, if it ever gets to that point.

“It’s professional competitiveness that sometimes gets mistaken for animosity. During the news conference, he looked over at me and I winked at him. He kind of acknowledged me.

“But you know what? It’s not personal. This is business, just business.’’

A business full of unexpected corners.