Sergey Kovalev to Exercise Rematch Clause Against Eleider Alvarez

[Ruthless-RKO]

HBO TURNS DOWN ALVAREZ-KOVALEV REMATCH?

Last week ESPN reported that former two time light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev exercised his contractual immediate rematch clause to face undefeated WBO champion Eleider Alvarez in his next bout.

In an interesting turn of events, Boxingtalk has been informed that HBO, the network that has featured Kovalev for the last several years, will not pick up the bout. HBO's Peter Nelson, Kathy Duva and Yvon Michel were all unavailable for immediate comment.

[Enlightened-One]

HBO TURNS DOWN ALVAREZ-KOVALEV REMATCH?

Last week ESPN reported that former two time light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev exercised his contractual immediate rematch clause to face undefeated WBO champion Eleider Alvarez in his next bout.

In an interesting turn of events, Boxingtalk has been informed that HBO, the network that has featured Kovalev for the last several years, will not pick up the bout. HBO's Peter Nelson, Kathy Duva and Yvon Michel were all unavailable for immediate comment.

If this is true, then Sergey Kovalev becomes a TV network free agent from this point onwards (assuming the terms his contract are the same as the one Manny Pacquiao had with HBO).

If the Krusher can defy the betting odds and somehow manages to regain his title from Eleider Alvarez, then there'll be no obstacles preventing the Russian from facing Adonis Stevenson.

Eleider Alvarez is aligned with GYM and Al Haymon, which means his rematch against the Krusher will inevitably be covered by Showtime (assuming the rumour is true), as the PBC chief is the primary content provider for that TV network.

Either way, it seems that HBO have either ran out of cash or have lost faith in Sergey Kovalev's ability to attract audiences.

[Ruthless-RKO]

HBO TURNS DOWN ALVAREZ-KOVALEV REMATCH?

Last week ESPN reported that former two time light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev exercised his contractual immediate rematch clause to face undefeated WBO champion Eleider Alvarez in his next bout.

In an interesting turn of events, Boxingtalk has been informed that HBO, the network that has featured Kovalev for the last several years, will not pick up the bout. HBO's Peter Nelson, Kathy Duva and Yvon Michel were all unavailable for immediate comment.

If this is true, then Sergey Kovalev becomes a TV network free agent from this point onwards (assuming the terms his contract are the same as the one Manny Pacquiao had with HBO).

If the Krusher can defy the betting odds and somehow manages to regain his title from Eleider Alvarez, then there'll be no obstacles preventing the Russian from facing Adonis Stevenson.

Eleider Alvarez is aligned with GYM and Al Haymon, which means his rematch against the Krusher will inevitably be covered by Showtime (assuming the rumour is true), as the PBC chief is the primary content provider for that TV network.

Either way, it seems that HBO have either ran out of cash or have lost faith in Sergey Kovalev's ability to attract audiences.

Isn't Kovalev contracted by HBO? Unless, Kovalev buys out his contract or something. Just because HBO are rejecting the fight doesn't mean he's a TV network free agent does it? I'm not arguing, it's just a little confusing. I assume HBO might want Alvarez vs. Bivol, but unless Kovalev buys out his contract? or maybe the fact that HBO have rejected a fight, it might make their contract void? Who knows. I'm just rambling on.

I do think there is more to this and we'll likely find out more in the coming days.

[Enlightened-One]

HBO TURNS DOWN ALVAREZ-KOVALEV REMATCH?

Last week ESPN reported that former two time light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev exercised his contractual immediate rematch clause to face undefeated WBO champion Eleider Alvarez in his next bout.

In an interesting turn of events, Boxingtalk has been informed that HBO, the network that has featured Kovalev for the last several years, will not pick up the bout. HBO's Peter Nelson, Kathy Duva and Yvon Michel were all unavailable for immediate comment.

If this is true, then Sergey Kovalev becomes a TV network free agent from this point onwards (assuming the terms his contract are the same as the one Manny Pacquiao had with HBO).

If the Krusher can defy the betting odds and somehow manages to regain his title from Eleider Alvarez, then there'll be no obstacles preventing the Russian from facing Adonis Stevenson.

Eleider Alvarez is aligned with GYM and Al Haymon, which means his rematch against the Krusher will inevitably be covered by Showtime (assuming the rumour is true), as the PBC chief is the primary content provider for that TV network.

Either way, it seems that HBO have either ran out of cash or have lost faith in Sergey Kovalev's ability to attract audiences.

Isn't Kovalev contracted by HBO? Unless, Kovalev buys out his contract or something. Just because HBO are rejecting the fight doesn't mean he's a TV network free agent does it? I'm not arguing, it's just a little confusing. I assume HBO might want Alvarez vs. Bivol, but unless Kovalev buys out his contract? or maybe the fact that HBO have rejected a fight, it might make their contract void? Who knows. I'm just rambling on.

I do think there is more to this and we'll likely find out more in the coming days.

Manny Pacquiao also had an exclusive contract with HBO.

However, when HBO refused to cover the Pacquiao vs Vargas fight, Manny, according to Dan Rafael, was able to terminate his contract with the network thereby making himself a free agent (in terms of his network rights).

I guess my assumption is that HBO's contracts with their fighters contain consistent terms (relating to the stipulations for exclusivity).

The one thing I do know is that HBO cannot possibly assert that Eleider Alvarez is an unsuitable opponent for them to sanction, hence my belief that they have rendered their exclusive contract with Kovalev void.

Who knows? Perhaps I'm wrong, but going by HBO's historical track-record, there's every possibility that I'm right.

Even if my assumption is correct, this doesn't mean that Krusher won't choose to work with HBO again. He just won't be contractually-tied to them.

I guess only time will tell...

[Ruthless-RKO]

Manny Pacquiao also had an exclusive contract with HBO.

However, when HBO refused to cover the Pacquiao vs Vargas fight, Manny, according to Dan Rafael, was able to terminate his contract with the network thereby making himself a free agent (in terms of his network rights).

I guess my assumption is that HBO's contracts with their fighters contain consistent terms (relating to the stipulations for exclusivity).

The one thing I do know is that HBO cannot possibly assert that Eleider Alvarez is an unsuitable opponent for them to sanction, hence my belief that they have rendered their exclusive contract with Kovalev void.

Who knows? Perhaps I'm wrong, but going by HBO's historical track-record, there's every possibility that I'm right.

Even if my assumption is correct, this doesn't mean that Krusher won't choose to work with HBO again. He just won't be contractually-tied to them.

I guess only time will tell...

Yeh. I guess we’re on the same lines. The fact that HBO would themselves decline a Kovalev fight, it would no longer contractually tie Kovalev with them.

I remember the Pacquiao-Vargas fight. HBO didn’t want to have 2 PPV’s in one month as they already had Ward-Kovalev on that same month.

It’s a shame HBO have lost so much interest in Boxing.

[Boxerbeetle]

I think he’ll lose again and is done at the top level, but deserves a lot of credit for taking the rematch.

[thekenneth]

don't they have a short time to finalize the rematch??

[lazboy]

Latest news is its likely to happen next year maybe jan. more time for Kovalev, more time to train or more time to drink.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Latest news is its likely to happen next year maybe jan. more time for Kovalev, more time to train or more time to drink.

Yeh. Should be Jan 2019

[ElJefe]

HBO TURNS DOWN ALVAREZ-KOVALEV REMATCH?

Last week ESPN reported that former two time light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev exercised his contractual immediate rematch clause to face undefeated WBO champion Eleider Alvarez in his next bout.

In an interesting turn of events, Boxingtalk has been informed that HBO, the network that has featured Kovalev for the last several years, will not pick up the bout. HBO's Peter Nelson, Kathy Duva and Yvon Michel were all unavailable for immediate comment.

Interesting. Turning down a very good fight like this suggests that they're done with Kovalev and definitely winding down their boxing coverage in general, which has been apparent for 12+ months.

Wonder if Eddie will try and pick this fight up for DAZN? While he's at it, I wonder if he'd consider trying to pry recognisable faces such as Lampley, Kellerman and Roy away as well? I imagine they're well paid by HBO, but if HBO are only showing boxing every so often then maybe those guys might leave. I think Brian Kenny and SRL are going to call the fights on DAZN, but I'd prefer Kenny in the studio and the HBO team at ringside.

[Mexi-Box]

Wow, how the hell does HBO turn down a juicy fight like this!? Ridiculous stuff. It's very likely that they've been trying to cut ties with Kovalev from the start, though.

They bring up Ward every 2 seconds, talk crap about Kovalev, and then they nuthug anything his opponent does. The Kovalev/Alvarez fight was insane with the commentary.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Wow, how the hell does HBO turn down a juicy fight like this!? Ridiculous stuff. It's very likely that they've been trying to cut ties with Kovalev from the start, though.

The first bout got them good ratings too.. Don't see why they don't broadcast the rematch.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Kovalev vs Alvarez Rematch Confirmed For ESPN

Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev and Eleider “Storm” Alvarez lit up the Atlantic City Boardwalk in a pitched battle last month. The two will renew acquaintances early next year live on a Top Rank on ESPN card as part of a co-promotion with Main Event and Krusher Promotions, in association with Groupe Yvon Michel.

Alvarez knocked down Kovalev three times in the seventh round and scored a TKO to capture the WBO light heavyweight title in a shocking upset. Kovalev led on all three judges’ scorecards at the time of the stoppage and hopes to pick up where the first six rounds left off.

“We are very happy to be joining forces with Top Rank and ESPN for what we expect will be another exciting and historic fight,” said Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events. “Sergey was clearly winning his first bout with Alvarez when he just got caught. It happens. Congratulations to Alvarez for his spectacular performance, but Sergey is a warrior. He let me know that he is anxious to avenge this loss as soon as possible. We are looking forward to the new year!”

“Bringing this marquee rematch to boxing fans on ESPN is a great way to start 2019,” said Top Rank President Todd duBoef. “The light heavyweight division is loaded, and both Kovalev and Alvarez have fan-friendly styles that will make for another gripping fight.”

Added Burke Magnus, ESPN Executive Vice President of Programming and Scheduling: “This has been an exciting year for boxing on ESPN, and the Kovalev-Alvarez rematch is another example of the world-class caliber of events we look forward to continue to showcase on Top Rank on ESPN in 2019.”

[Mexi-Box]

ESPN is quickly becoming the place for boxing if they keep up this great fight schedule. Pacquiao/Matthysse and now Kovalev/Alvarez: II. I might subscribe again to ESPN+ if they keep this up.

By the way, tonight they have a barnburner. Orozco/Ramirez is going to be a war, and I'm very surprised there is little hype about this fight.