who is kovalev expected to fight next?*

[dickbelden]

*

[ikorolev]

Pascal ?

[IRLangmaid25]

If memory serves me Sergei Kovalev has an IBF mandatory to fufill against Najib Mohammadi who Nathan Cleverly has beaten while Jean Pascal is I think Adonis Stevenson's mandatory.

[ikorolev]

If memory serves me Sergei Kovalev has an IBF mandatory to fufill against Najib Mohammadi who Nathan Cleverly has beaten while Jean Pascal is I think Adonis Stevenson's mandatory.

... who Adonis refuses to give a fair share of a purse, so the fight is not happening. As Bernard said, best should fight best. There is no point for Kovalev or Stevenson to fight Mohammadis, Murats, etc. when they could fight each other, Pascal or Beterbiev. Showtime is an obstacle, but we know that people jump networks.

[Cyclops]

Presumably, as he has three belts, some sort of mandatory

[PsychoGamerTwo]

Duva said, they want a money fight next, so its gotta be someone known. I know its not gonna happen, but i would like to see Kovalev vs Brähmer, Pascal, Beterbiev or Stevenson.

[ikorolev]

There is no way Braehmer will agree to take Kovalev's beating, and Beterbiev is not a good money fight yet. Kovalev is not big enough to fight cruisers, and no top SMW will fight him. That leaves Pascal and Stevenson.

[daveyQC]

Here’s a list of native 175lb fighters that I don’t consider viable opponents for Sergey Koval in the short-term (due to their managerial, promotional and/or network status – either directly or by proxy):

• Adonis Stevenson - A Groupe Yvon Michel and an Al Haymon fighter contracted to Showtime
• Jean Pascal - A Groupe Yvon Michel fighter who has their fights aired by Showtime
• Beibut Shumenov - An Al Haymon fighter
• Eleider Alvarez - A Groupe Yvon Michel fighter who has their fights aired by Showtime
• Andrzej Fonfara - An Al Haymon fighter
• Gabriel Campillo - An Al Haymon fighter and has already faced Kovalev
• Chad Dawson - An Al Haymon fighter
• Artur Beterbiev - A Groupe Yvon Michel fighter who has their fights aired by Showtime

Note: Whilst it is theoretically possible for Groupe Yvon Michel fighters to “cross the street” from Showtime to HBO, the likelihood of them doing so (as reported Dan Rafael of ESPN) is very unlikely.

Here’s a list of light heavyweights that I believe could be considered as potential Sergey Kovalev opponents, because there superficially doesn’t appear to be any political hurdles scuppering the potential of such bouts:

• Juergen Braehmer - A viable option
• Isaac Chilemba - A Main Events fighter, so he's a viable opponent
• Nadjib Mohammedi - A viable option
• Karo Murat - A viable option
• Travoris Could - A viable option as he's a Don King fighter, who often works with HBO

As you can see from the above list, the prospects for Sergey Kovalev (a Main Events fighter that has his contests televised by HBO) to be engaged in a contest against an opponent that will excite fight fans appears quite slim in the short-term.

Jean Pascal is no longer with Yvon Michel, actually he's a free agent (network wise) perfect opponent for Krusher.

[PsychoGamerTwo]

Pascal & Stevenson are on Showtime though, i don't know who else would be good for a money fight. Others are all B level.

[daveyQC]

Pascal is no longer with Yvon Michel, he's with Jean Bedard (Interbox). As far as i know, neither Showtime and HBO are owning him. Pascal fought on both networks in the past.

[Rexob]

Froch at Wembley?

[daveyQC]

Here's a friendly and fresher reminder. http://metronews.ca/sports/1191073/pasc ... -interbox/

[HomicideHenry]

There's only one man I'd wan to see Kovalev fight... and that is Andre Ward

[BAD INTENTIONS]

At 175, Kovalev's opponent needs to be freakishly strong too. That's why the options are Stevenson and the guy who just KO'ed Cloud (after he proves himself with 2 more fights).

Ward needs a fight or two at 175 before getting in the ring with Kovalev.

[HomicideHenry]

At 175, Kovalev's opponent needs to be freakishly strong too. That's why the options are Stevenson and the guy who just KO'ed Cloud (after he proves himself with 2 more fights).

Ward needs a fight or two at 175 before getting in the ring with Kovalev.

Unless its catchweight... Ward is the only stylist that I can think of... who stands a chance.

Would also love to see Kovalev fight Bika. Have a feeling he won't be able to bully and out slug Bika.

[Bard of Boxrec]

The landscape is bleak and barren.

Even 10-15 years ago, at least there were some tough guys at 175 underneath Jones in the division, like DM, Tarver, Reggie Johnson, Lou Del Valle, and JC Gonzalez. Today, the contender scene is pretty damn thin.

[Syntax Error]

At 175, Kovalev's opponent needs to be freakishly strong too. That's why the options are Stevenson and the guy who just KO'ed Cloud (after he proves himself with 2 more fights).

Ward needs a fight or two at 175 before getting in the ring with Kovalev.

Ward certainly needs a fight.

His career appears to have stalled.

[Badhusker]

I would love to see Ward vs Kovalev. I know Ward has not been fighting often, but its not like he is sitting at home eating doritos playing nintendo either. He stays active in the gym and in shape. Whether he is willing to go up a few pounds is the issue. He doesn't like to be the guy that gives away any type of handicap - whether it be location or weight. If it is a BS catch weight where Kovalev has to drop weight, I would rather not see it.

[ikorolev]

Pascal seems to have nothing against fighting Kovalev:

http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/art ... lev-effort?

... and Stivenson is being considered too:

http://www.BS.com/duva-ill-tal ... lev--84078?

[Bard of Boxrec]

Kovalev/Pascal is probably the most realistic.

Pascal has always struck me as pretty tough. Has he ever been down?

[keirw]

Kovalev/Pascal is probably the most realistic.
Pascal has always struck me as pretty tough. Has he ever been down?

Not sure, but he has had stamina issues in the past, which will become even more of an issue now we know Kovalev can do 12 solid rounds.
He is awkward, though and fast, I'm sure he would give Kovalev a few problems and it will be entertaining for the first few rounds at least until Pascal gasses.
Pascal is a credible name with a decent following, i'm sure Kovalev will be more than happy to travel to Quebec.

[cold187]

he will face IBF mandatory Nadjib Mohammedi. He will blow him away. at the same time stevenson will likely face pascal.

now if stevenson win, he will face bute which will lead to kovalev facing another main events guy, chilemba.

eitehr way, i dont see kovalev facing, stevonsonm pascal next year so may need to settle for the above mentioned to mild 2015 - which he deserves.

he will fight 2 of these 3
1. mohammedi
2. Chilemba
3. Edwin rodriguez

[dominik]

He probably Needs one or two more fights but I would like to see kovalev vs beterbiev. both guys are really beasts that go for the kill.

beterbiev might want to snatch another title first though.

[Maxime]

I think we'll see Kovalev-Pascal and Stevenson-Bute in the spring.

My $0.02.

[ikorolev]

Kovalev/Pascal is probably the most realistic.

Jean Pascal will fight Donovan George on December 6th and then face Adonis Stevenson.

His promoter said that they will decide which champion to face after the George fight.