Sergey Kovalev vs. Anthony Yarde - August 24, 2019

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBO light heavyweight champion and future Hall of Famer Sergey Kovalev will face off against his hard-hitting mandatory challenger, Anthony Yarde, in a highly anticipated showdown Saturday, Aug. 24 from Traktor Arena in Kovalev’s hometown of Chelyabinsk, Russia.



Kovalev-Yarde will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+, beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT. The stream will also showcase the co-feature bout between unbeaten cruiserweight contender Aleksei Papin (11-0, 10 KOs) and former world title challenger Ilunga Makabu (25-2, 24 KOs).

"I am thrilled to fight for the first time in my hometown of Chelyabinsk,” Kovalev said. “It is a dream to defend my WBO title in front of all my friends and family back home. I am also thankful ESPN+ will show the fight to my fans in the U.S. Thank you to Igor Altushkin, Egis Klimas, Main Events and Top Rank for making this dream a reality, and thank you to Anthony Yarde for agreeing to fight in my home."

“Sergey has done just about everything a professional fighter can do, other than fight in his own hometown,” said promoter Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events. “One of the sport’s greatest road warriors, Sergey will finally get the chance to salute his legion of fans in Chelyabinsk, where he grew up. It will be an exciting, long overdue homecoming for Sergey. And I am so happy to confirm that Sergey’s many fans in the U.S. will be able to watch this great event only on ESPN+. I wish to thank Igor Altushkin, German Titov and everyone at RCC for making this all possible. I also wish to thank Bob Arum and Top Rank for their continued support.”

Kovalev (33-3-1, 28 KOs) is a veteran of 15 world title bouts and has won the light heavyweight world title on three occasions. A former unified champion, he revived his career in February by scoring a wide points win over Eleider Alvarez, the man who’d knocked him out less than six months prior. One of this generation’s most decorated champions, Kovalev holds victories over Jean Pascal, Nathan Cleverly and living legend Bernard Hopkins. In Yarde (18-0, 17 KOs), he faces a London native with a giant hand who is taking a giant step up in competition. Yarde has won his last 16 bouts by knockout, most recently stopping Travis Reeves in five rounds in a bout that streamed on ESPN+. This will be only his second pro bout outside of England.

[margaret thatcher]

Eh, I think future hall of famer is very debatable, this isn't Pacquiao. I remember it being used on Tarver for his last few fights and I was always like ehhhh

[ironbeard]

GO YARDE!

[boxing_rocks]

Eh, I think future hall of famer is very debatable, this isn't Pacquiao. I remember it being used on Tarver for his last few fights and I was always like ehhhh

Maybe it is debatable, but how is he worse than let's say Terry Norris?

[lazboy]

This is the best fight of the month. Looking forward to it. Yarde and his trainer come off as delusional but no doubt he hits hard. Interesting - punchers chance only I feel.

[DrDuke]

Kovalev will outbox Yarde. With Kovalev's new fighting approach and Yarde's punching power, Kovalev won't fight aggressively. He'll give Yarde a lesson. Maybe only if Yarde will be really hurt, Kovalev will go for a kill. Yarde is a solid prospect, but I think, his huge lack of experience will be a crucial factor.

By the way, I'd name Kovalev a future Hall of Famer as well. He was the recongnised king of the division, he had comebacks, he's been on the elite level for quite a while and for the moment he still looks like the best out there, with the other champions being young lions.

[Bard of Boxrec]

Can’t wait for this one. I rate Yarde highly, let’s see if he’s got kovalev at the right time.

[Ruthless-RKO]

By the way, I'd name Kovalev a future Hall of Famer as well. He was the recongnised king of the division, he had comebacks, he's been on the elite level for quite a while and for the moment he still looks like the best out there, with the other champions being young lions.

As soon as he beat Clev he announced himself to the LHW division.

Had a few easy touch defenses, but soon after he unified against Hopkins and was fighting top 5 contenders.

[Evander]

Looking forward to this one, Yarde may have his hands full if Kovalev decides to box it out so he should come fully prepared.
Either way I'm expecting fireworks here at some point.

[sturm vogel]

Kovalev will use his long range power, his excellent mobility, and his artillery jab to pound back Yarde's attempts to advance; as the battle wears on the constant heavy pounding from Kovalev's KV-3 will punch holes through Yarde's defense and eventually krush him.

[ironbeard]

Kovalev will use his long range power, his excellent mobility, and his artillery jab to pound back Yarde's attempts to advance; as the battle wears on the constant heavy pounding from Kovalev's KV-3 will punch holes through Yarde's defense and eventually krush him.

That is the consensus view, I think, which can also be called conventional wisdom. The TFKoB / throwing $$$ at women effect has given people hope.

What Kovalev did in his last fight was beautiful. He is at home. He has shown that less than complete dedication / focus can cost you. The pressure of fighting at home can be overwhelming for some. When was the last show like this in Chelyabinsk?

Certainly not since the meteor exploding above the city a number of years ago.

Someone mentioned that Team Yarde must have seen something to take this fight at this time. I would say that they have seen the same as the rest of us. Kovalev has been up and down depending on his focus. He is 38 years old. He has always shown weakness to the body. While his chin is not glass, it is far from iron. Even if Yarde loses, if he puts forth a solid effort, the exposure of this fight will get him others.

It is a bold but calculated risk.

[sturm vogel]

Kovalev will use his long range power, his excellent mobility, and his artillery jab to pound back Yarde's attempts to advance; as the battle wears on the constant heavy pounding from Kovalev's KV-3 will punch holes through Yarde's defense and eventually krush him.

That is the consensus view, I think, which can also be called conventional wisdom. The TFKoB / throwing $$$ at women effect has given people hope.

What Kovalev did in his last fight was beautiful. He is at home. He has shown that less than complete dedication / focus can cost you. The pressure of fighting at home can be overwhelming for some. When was the last show like this in Chelyabinsk?

Certainly not since the meteor exploding above the city a number of years ago.

Someone mentioned that Team Yarde must have seen something to take this fight at this time. I would say that they have seen the same as the rest of us. Kovalev has been up and down depending on his focus. He is 38 years old. He has always shown weakness to the body. While his chin is not glass, it is far from iron. Even if Yarde loses, if he puts forth a solid effort, the exposure of this fight will get him others.

It is a bold but calculated risk.

You are correct, Kovalev is aged, but not 38 yet he's 36.

[ironbeard]

That is the consensus view, I think, which can also be called conventional wisdom. The TFKoB / throwing $$$ at women effect has given people hope.

What Kovalev did in his last fight was beautiful. He is at home. He has shown that less than complete dedication / focus can cost you. The pressure of fighting at home can be overwhelming for some. When was the last show like this in Chelyabinsk?

Certainly not since the meteor exploding above the city a number of years ago.

Someone mentioned that Team Yarde must have seen something to take this fight at this time. I would say that they have seen the same as the rest of us. Kovalev has been up and down depending on his focus. He is 38 years old. He has always shown weakness to the body. While his chin is not glass, it is far from iron. Even if Yarde loses, if he puts forth a solid effort, the exposure of this fight will get him others.

It is a bold but calculated risk.

You are correct, Kovalev is aged, but not 38 yet he's 36.

He is 38 in Russian years. Thanks for the correction.

[Enlightened-One]

Someone mentioned that Team Yarde must have seen something to take this fight at this time.

According to Spencer Fearon, who works with Sky Sports, the Brit has apparently been offered $4.2m to face Sergey Kovalev.

Yarde apparently rejected a $1.22m offer from Golden Boy to step-aside, to allow Canelo to face the Krusher instead, stating the following:

'I got offered step aside money. First of all, it was under what I'm getting to fight Kovalev and I laughed at it. Then they offered me the same amount that I'm getting for the fight and I laughed it again,' he told Sportsmail.

'I said to them, you better be doubling or tripling it to get me to step aside because this is a world title fight. Yes, it's to do with money but I wanted to be a world champion. I feel like they were just gobsmacked I'm actually up for going to Russia, a lot of people are.

'I would rather get paid the same money and fight for a world title. They offered me life-changing money to step aside and let him fight Canelo but again I just said, you've got to double or triple it to get me to walk away from a world title shot.

'Either they couldn't afford it or it didn't make sense to them, I don't know the reasons behind it but they didn't up their offer.'

And let’s not forget that Anthony Yarde’s resume is littered with anonymous names, because not one single opponent he’s ever faced are included in any if the following ratings at 175lbs:

• ESPN/The RING divisional top-ten ratings
• The top-15 ratings of the WBC, WBA, IBF & WBO
• BoxRec top-fifty world ratings
• EBU top-15 European rankings
• Top-ten British ratings (as per Boxing Monthly)

[ironbeard]

Someone mentioned that Team Yarde must have seen something to take this fight at this time.

According to Spencer Fearon, who works with Sky Sports, the Brit has apparently been offered $4.2m to face Sergey Kovalev.

Yarde apparently rejected a $1.22m offer from Golden Boy to step-aside, to allow Canelo to face the Krusher instead, stating the following:

'I got offered step aside money. First of all, it was under what I'm getting to fight Kovalev and I laughed at it. Then they offered me the same amount that I'm getting for the fight and I laughed it again,' he told Sportsmail.

'I said to them, you better be doubling or tripling it to get me to step aside because this is a world title fight. Yes, it's to do with money but I wanted to be a world champion. I feel like they were just gobsmacked I'm actually up for going to Russia, a lot of people are.

'I would rather get paid the same money and fight for a world title. They offered me life-changing money to step aside and let him fight Canelo but again I just said, you've got to double or triple it to get me to walk away from a world title shot.

'Either they couldn't afford it or it didn't make sense to them, I don't know the reasons behind it but they didn't up their offer.'

And let’s not forget that Anthony Yarde’s resume is littered with anonymous names, because not one single opponent he’s ever faced are included in any if the following ratings at 175lbs:

• ESPN/The RING divisional top-ten ratings
• The top-15 ratings of the WBC, WBA, IBF & WBO
• BoxRec top-fifty world ratings
• EBU top-15 European rankings
• Top-ten British ratings (as per Boxing Monthly)

Thanks for the info.

Obviously, the fact that Team GingerHead feels Kovalev is ripe for the picking has got to give Team Yarde added confidence going in.

[boxing_rocks]

You are correct, Kovalev is aged, but not 38 yet he's 36.

He is 38 in Russian years. Thanks for the correction.

No, he is 36 Russian years which is about 45 British years.

[ironbeard]

He is 38 in Russian years. Thanks for the correction.

No, he is 36 Russian years which is about 45 British years.

Whatever works.

[Enlightened-One]

No, he is 36 Russian years which is about 45 British years.

[greg]

He is 38 in Russian years. Thanks for the correction.

No, he is 36 Russian years which is about 45 British years.

yep, I guess shitt happens when you convert metric units into imperial..

[Ilya Muromets]

No, he is 36 Russian years which is about 45 British years.

Ha ha! But boxer years are almost as bad as dog years. A boxer is said to be old at 39!

[Ilya Muromets]

About time Russians, especially Kovalev, get to fight in their home town instead of Mafia Vegas! Should be a walkover. Yarde has only fought very low ranked opponents.



Tyson Fury thinks Yarde, wins, but his brother, Tommy Fury, who is just starting in boxing (2-0, 6' tall light heavy) correctly picks Kovalev.



Aug 24th, the weekend after this coming one.

https://www.boxingnews24.com/2019/08/br ... v-kovalev/

[margaret thatcher]

Why exactly do HWs seem to be able in good form longer than other weights?

[Ilya Muromets]

Why exactly do HWs seem to be able in good form longer than other weights?

We have much more reserve strength than the teeny weeny little fellows who bounce around a lot and also waste a lot of energy with their funny little pitty pat punches.

[boxing_rocks]

Why exactly do HWs seem to be able in good form longer than other weights?

Because their form wasn't that good in the first place

[boxing_rocks]

About time Russians, especially Kovalev, get to fight in their home town instead of Mafia Vegas! Should be a walkover. Yarde has only fought very low ranked opponents.

Don't be so sure. Remember Chilemba fight? Friends, relatives, local elite will want Kovalev to party with them and I am not sure that he will reject that.