SERGEY Kovalev, the fearsome “Krusher,” has revealed the one regret that lingers as he prepares to close his storied career on Friday night. The 42-year-old faces Artur Mann over 10 rounds at cruiserweight in the main event at Yunost Arena in Chelyabinsk, Russia. Ringwalks are expected at 9:30pm GMT, and fans can watch the fight live and free on the Boxing News YouTube channel.
Kovalev’s career, marked by devastating knockouts, high-stakes drama, and occasional controversy, saw him conquer the light heavyweight division with three world titles. Yet, for him, one ambition remained unfulfilled despite becoming a two-time world champion.
After demolishing Nathan Cleverly in August 2013 to claim the WBO light heavyweight title, Kovalev made three successful defences before dominating Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins in November 2014 to add the IBF and WBA belts to his collection. However, the WBC title, held by the formidable Adonis Stevenson, eluded him.
Stevenson, the Haitian-born Canadian powerhouse, reigned as WBC champion from June 2013 to December 2018. His 11-fight title run, while impressive, lacked the legacy-defining victory that a unification bout with Kovalev could have provided. The proposed clash between Kovalev and Stevenson, two no-nonsense personalities with electrifying punching power, was among the most coveted fights of its era. Sadly, network disputes and failed negotiations became yet another example of boxing’s business side overshadowing its competitive heart.
“I’m very disappointed that we never fought Adonis Stevenson,” Kovalev told Boxing News.
“It killed my dream to be absolute [undisputed] world champion. But everything happened for a reason. If it happened, it happened. No problem. We had Russian absolute champions in Artur Beterbiev and then Dmitry Bivol. They have proved that Russian boxers in the light-heavyweight division are the strongest.”
The Russian light heavyweight legacy endures with Bivol and Beterbiev, who are poised for a third showdown later this year after Bivol ended Beterbiev’s undisputed reign and vacated the WBC title, paving the way for David Benavidez’s promotion from interim to full champion. Bivol’s co-promoter, Eddie Hearn, recently told BN that Bivol is contractually obligated to face his rival in a trilogy bout. With their series tied at 1-1, who does Kovalev believe will emerge victorious?
“I think Bivol will win,” he revealed.
“In the rematch he was much more confident, more active and more sure of himself and now he’ll be even better.”
