Sergey Kovalev vs. Bektemir Melikuziev - January 30, 2021 (OFF)

[Ruthless-RKO]

Sergey Kovalev vs. Bektemir Melikuziev on January 30 in Crossroads Battle

In the epitome of a crossroads fight, former three-time light heavyweight world titleholder Sergey Kovalev and up-and-comer Bektemir “Bek Bully” Melikuziev will meet on Jan. 30 in the main event of a DAZN card at the Luzhniki Arena in Moscow, sources told BS.com on Wednesday.

The fight will headline its own card and is not on the same show Top Rank is doing on the same day in Moscow. That card, announced on Wednesday, will be headlined by unified light heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev defending against Adam Deines on ESPN+ at VTB Arena.

The 37-year-old Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 KOs) and Melikuziev (6-0, 5 KOs), 24, an Uzbekistan native fighting out of Indio, California, will meet at a contract weight of 178 pounds, according to one of the sources.

Melikuziev’s last fight was at 168 pounds. Kovalev had been scheduled to fight former light heavyweight world title challenger Sullivan Barrera at 180 pounds in the main event of a DAZN card on April 25 at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California, but the show was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Kovalev will be fighting for the first time he lost his 175-pound world title to Canelo Alvarez by brutal 11th-round knockout on Nov. 2, 2019 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Alvarez had moved up two weight classes to challenge him for his title.

Even though Kovalev is promoted by Main Events, Golden Boy Promotions owes Kovalev his next fight based on the terms of the deal for him to fight Alvarez. If Kovalev wins the fight against Melikuziev then Golden Boy would owe him a second fight, according to one of the sources.

Melikuziev, a southpaw, has been moved quickly by Golden Boy because of his elite amateur career.

He was a silver medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, claimed a bronze medal at the 2017 World Amateur Championships, won a silver medal at the 2015 World Amateur Championships and won gold medals at the 2015 and 2017 Asian Championships.

He is coming off a third-round knockout of Alan Campa on Oct. 30 and also owns professional victories over Clay Collard and Vaughn Alexander.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Strange fight to make..

Is Melikuziev not too green still to be fighting Kovalev?

Kovalev may be too experienced here..

[Ruthless-RKO]

Typical to have this on the SAME DAY, in the SAME CITY, SAME TIMEZONE as Beterbiev’s fight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

12 Round fight..

[margaret thatcher]

well bek stopped clay collard, so kovalev should be no issue

[Thomastearns]

Kovalev had to pull a rabbit out of the hat to get his belts back off Alvarez before getting paid handsomely to get clobbered by another Alvarez.

In between he managed to miraculously sneak past Anthony 'Lions in the House' Yarde (who just like Nathan Gorman seems to be taking an inordinate amount of time to cope with his first loss).

Kovalev, let's be clear about this, is more done than a well done steak. This is what you call a changing of the guard fight, except that Sergey is no longer up to any sentry duties.

Years of physical damage in and out of the ring have took their toll. He's now in the business of getting beaten up for money.

Take a few acting lessons Sergey, and at least try to make it look half convincing this time.

Please.

[JxhDel.]

This is some crossroads. Melikuziev is tough as marble but is not too early for him? Kovalev is on his last legs but he can still fire some shots...

[Best Coast]

This could be too big of a step up for Bek, but if he wins it then it will be a HUGE boost to his career!!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release | Kovalev Views Melikuziev as First Step on Journey To Reclaim World Title

Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (34-3-1, 29 KOs), the former light heavyweight champion the world and one of the most dangerous punchers in recent years, will return against fast-rising knockout artist and Olympic Silver medalist Bektemir “Bully” Melikuziev (6-0, 5 KOs) in a 178-pound catchweight battle scheduled for 12 rounds. The event will take place Saturday, Jan. 30 and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN in more than 200 countries and territories, including the U.S., Russia and Uzbekistan.

Information regarding the venue, which is scheduled to be in Russia, will be announced shortly.

“After just six professional fights, Bekt is making an enormous leap to jump two divisions and fight a former unified world champion on his own home turf in Russia,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “This is the very definition of ‘daring to be great,’ and we have all the confidence in the world that ‘The Bully’ will take out Kovalev and become a world champion in quick fashion.”

Kovalev is a three-time light heavyweight champion who captured his first world title in 2013 when he stopped Nathan Cleverly in Wales. Kovalev then traveled to Atlantic City to meet future Hall of Famer Bernard "The Alien" Hopkins to unify the WBO, WBA and IBF titles with a lopsided unanimous decision victory in 2014. As unified champion, "Krusher" successfully defended his titles twice against Jean Pascal and once against Isaac Chilemba. Despite setbacks against Andre “S.O.G.” Ward and Eleider Alvarez, the 37-year-old Russian managed to avenge a loss to Alvarez and score a technical knockout victory against undefeated contender Anthony Yarde. Kovalev will return after his historic 2019 battle against Canelo Alvarez.

“I am glad that after a long break I am starting my journey back to the title of world champion,” said Sergey Kovalev. “The fact that this fight is scheduled to be in Russia gives me even more motivation and strength. I want to please my fellow countrymen again with my boxing and a beautiful victory.”

“We're happy to be back after this unexpectedly long pandemic layoff and so grateful to DAZN for the opportunity,” said Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events. “I'm looking forward to once again seeing Sergey light up when he fights in front of his countrymen as they always seem to bring out the best in him.”

Melikuziev is a 24-year-old puncher with an impressive amateur resume, having captured silver medals at the 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships and the 2016 Summer Olympics, among other accolades. The native of Shoimbek, Uzbekistan signed with Golden Boy in 2019 and made it very clear that he wanted to move up the rankings as quickly as possible. He kept his promise by scoring four impressive wins in 2019 and two additional knockout wins in 2020. Melikuziev feels he is more than ready for this challenge.

“Sergey Kovalev is one of the biggest boxing stars of the last decade," said Bektemir Melikuziev. “This is exactly the type of opportunity I have wanted since turning professional and I will be very well prepared for victory on January 30!”

[Ruthless-RKO]

[gregregegg]

Honestly iv never seen Bektemir, but a 6-0, 24 year old, moving up in weight, going in with Kovalev even at 37 is a masssive early step up. Kov is ageing and just got stopped, but in that fight he was arguably up on the cards after 10 rounds against P4P number 1.

Amazingly Bektemir is now a fairly strong bettering favorite. opened even, but now has shifted in so that the odds imply about a 75%-25% win % in favour of Bektemir, defiantly going to tune in to this. If he chins Kov then holllly fornicate 168/175 have a new player in town.

[margaret thatcher]

Ive seen all his fights and some in the ams, he's very handy, though small for lhw , let alone a 178 catchweight, and also of course never fought anything near this level

very interested in this.....tbh these types of fights were you have really hot prospect taking a massive step up is one of my favourite types

[gregregegg]

Ive seen all his fights and some in the ams, he's very handy, though small for lhw , let alone a 178 catchweight, and also of course never fought anything near this level

very interested in this.....tbh these types of fights were you have really hot prospect taking a massive step up is one of my favourite types

Geezes its at 178 too? thats a critical 3 lb to Kov. I love these big early step ups, but this is extreme. If he tops Canelos performance i hope he gets some hype behind him. Really hoping he can get plenty of big fights at 168.

[margaret thatcher]

ya it's a fight that i never even remotely considered before hearing it was made, was thinking bek was gonna push for a shot at 168 and of course only 6 fights, fighting kov at 178 came out of nowhere and wasnt really a fight that made 'sense'

[DrDuke]

Ive seen all his fights and some in the ams, he's very handy, though small for lhw , let alone a 178 catchweight, and also of course never fought anything near this level

very interested in this.....tbh these types of fights were you have really hot prospect taking a massive step up is one of my favourite types

Also, 178 is a good option for Kovalev. He's likely to have weight cutting problems recently, as he was talking about a possibility of fighting at CW, but contract obligations to remain at LHW for several bouts.

Golden Boy seems to use Kovalev. They matched him against Canelo with a short notice and now matched him against a fresh prospect after that loss.

[Onetimeonly]

Ive seen all his fights and some in the ams, he's very handy, though small for lhw , let alone a 178 catchweight, and also of course never fought anything near this level

very interested in this.....tbh these types of fights were you have really hot prospect taking a massive step up is one of my favourite types

Also, 178 is a good option for Kovalev. He's likely to have weight cutting problems recently, as he was talking about a possibility of fighting at CW, but contract obligations to remain at LHW for several bouts.

Golden Boy seems to use Kovalev. They matched him against Canelo with a short notice and now matched him against a fresh prospect after that loss.

Kovalev is with GBP?

[DrDuke]

Ive seen all his fights and some in the ams, he's very handy, though small for lhw , let alone a 178 catchweight, and also of course never fought anything near this level

very interested in this.....tbh these types of fights were you have really hot prospect taking a massive step up is one of my favourite types

Also, 178 is a good option for Kovalev. He's likely to have weight cutting problems recently, as he was talking about a possibility of fighting at CW, but contract obligations to remain at LHW for several bouts.

Golden Boy seems to use Kovalev. They matched him against Canelo with a short notice and now matched him against a fresh prospect after that loss.

Kovalev is with GBP?

It looks like he's co-promoted by them now:

Even though Kovalev is promoted by Main Events, Golden Boy Promotions owes Kovalev his next fight based on the terms of the deal for him to fight Alvarez. If Kovalev wins the fight against Melikuziev then Golden Boy would owe him a second fight, according to one of the sources.

[Onetimeonly]

Sounds like a good deal for him.

[DrDuke]

Sounds like a good deal for him.

To cash out at the end of career.

[Onetimeonly]

Sounds like a good deal for him.

To cash out at the end of career.

Yes, canelo surely was his biggest payday

[Ruthless-RKO]

Sounds like a good deal for him.

To cash out at the end of career.

Yes, canelo surely was his biggest payday

and now he can make an additional $3-$4 million

[Las Vegas boxing guy]

Melikuziev is an absolute ANIMAL. His nickname "the Bully" is a very accurate name. The heavy body shots he throws have painful intentions. After years of wars I just can't see Kov standing his ground for long in this one. Prediction : Melikuziev via KO .. possibly before the bell for the start of round 7 rings.

[DrDuke]

Is the bout re-located to the US?

[Onetimeonly]

Is the bout re-located to the US?

Why?

[DrDuke]

Is the bout re-located to the US?

Why?

To avoid all corona stuff. Both of them have their camps in the US. I've read it's planned to re-locate it to the US with the Russia-friendly time.