BoxRec

Sergey "Krusher" Kovalev (30-2-1, 26 KOs) returns to the ring Saturday, November 25 at The Theater Madison Square Garden to take on hard-hitting contender Vyacheslav "Lion-Heart Chingonskyy" Shabranskyy (19-1, 16 KOs) in a ten-round light heavyweight showdown. Kovalev vs. Shabranskyy will be promoted by Main Events and Krusher Promotions in association with Golden Boy Promotions, and televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Fun comeback fight for Kovalev. Shabranskyy always seems to be in fun fights. He's vulnerable, but dangerous. Real interesting fight for Kovalev to be facing coming off the situation he's coming off of with Ward.

Should be entertaining.

This was fast. Kovalev dont mess about licking his wounds endlessly like some. Very tough comeback fight. But who is training the bad krusher?

Tarkus wrote:This was fast. Kovalev dont mess about licking his wounds endlessly like some

Kovalev has an exclusive contract with HBO and that network had previously announced more than five weeks ago that they were televising the Russian's ring return on that date, despite Kathy Duva's protestations about Sergey perhaps not being ready by then.

Whilst I'm sure a quick return to action would be the best course of action to clear his mind from pain of losing to Ward twice, coupled with the inevitable disappointment from suffering a stoppage, I can't help thinking that HBO are forcing Kovalev to compete in this bout, since that date has been on their broadcast schedule for quite some time.

I don't think it's the first time we've been made aware of a Kovalev fight date from HBO far more than a month before they've even announced an opponent, which kind of suggests that Main Events or Sergey is somehow contractually bound adhere to HBO's wishes, but I could be wrong about this...

..a contract is a contract..top guys are paid nicely..should not look for excuses and stick to the schedule..

Way better decision for Kovalev then Sullivan Barrera. That would have been a horrible decision at this stage. This is a fun fight and a fight that Kov should win while building his brand back up. Good decision here.

Good choice for a return. If he can't get by Shabransky, time to hang them up.

This should answer some lingering questions. How much trouble is he having making LHW? Who is going to train him? Does he still have the required competitive fire?

I hope that Krushedner can get back in the mix at LHW. Many entertaining potential matches out there: Barrera, Stevenson, Smith, Gvodzyk, Beterbiev, Alvarez, Jack. That's a WBSS LHW tourney right there.

If he retires Krushedner, Shabransky puts himself in the mix.

Can't say this fight interests me much.

Tarkus wrote:This was fast. Kovalev dont mess about licking his wounds endlessly like some. Very tough comeback fight. But who is training the bad krusher?

..now that I hope all rats have jumped the ship, time to get a new one...won't be an easy task with his reputation..

Shabranskyy, lmao... guy got rocked by Paul Parker & stopped by Barrera. Pointless fight, even for a "comeback". If you want to make some $$$, bet all you have on Krusher by stoppage. Barrera would have been a much better fight. And unlike Shabranskyy, he's earned it. Only lost to Ward, stopped Shabranskyy, and beat Smith Jr. Now, this would have been somewhat interesting. Before the Ward fight, this would have been an easy win for Kov, but now its apparently different, and Main Events doesn't want to take this risk.

Although I'm not that arsed about this fight, I am looking forward to seeing how Kovalev looks.

His stamina was dreadful in the two Ward fights & I want to know if it's because of poor preparation or a decline in his physical abilities.

I also want to see if he has the desire anymore, because he looked like he wanted out versus Ward II & the alleged low blows from Ward gave him the perfect 'out'.

PsychoGamerTwo wrote:Shabranskyy, lmao... guy got rocked by Paul Parker & stopped by Barrera. Pointless fight, even for a "comeback". If you want to make some $$$, bet all you have on Krusher by stoppage. Barrera would have been a much better fight. And unlike Shabranskyy, he's earned it. Only lost to Ward, stopped Shabranskyy, and beat Smith Jr. Now, this would have been somewhat interesting. Before the Ward fight, this would have been an easy win for Kov, but now its apparently different, and Main Events doesn't want to take this risk.

Why would main events not want kovalev/Barrera?

PsychoGamerTwo wrote:Shabranskyy, lmao... guy got rocked by Paul Parker & stopped by Barrera. Pointless fight, even for a "comeback". If you want to make some $$$, bet all you have on Krusher by stoppage. Barrera would have been a much better fight. And unlike Shabranskyy, he's earned it. Only lost to Ward, stopped Shabranskyy, and beat Smith Jr. Now, this would have been somewhat interesting. Before the Ward fight, this would have been an easy win for Kov, but now its apparently different, and Main Events doesn't want to take this risk.

I completely agree about Barrera being far more deserving. However, Shabranskiy is a better choice under the circumstances. Team Krushedner is completely retooling. He is having to deal with an awful lot right now.

If anything, he may be returning too early.

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:

PsychoGamerTwo wrote:Shabranskyy, lmao... guy got rocked by Paul Parker & stopped by Barrera. Pointless fight, even for a "comeback". If you want to make some $$$, bet all you have on Krusher by stoppage. Barrera would have been a much better fight. And unlike Shabranskyy, he's earned it. Only lost to Ward, stopped Shabranskyy, and beat Smith Jr. Now, this would have been somewhat interesting. Before the Ward fight, this would have been an easy win for Kov, but now its apparently different, and Main Events doesn't want to take this risk.

Why would main events not want kovalev/Barrera?

Because Barreara might beat Kovalev or give him a damaging fight , and you want an easier opponent while building your fighters psyche, I don't think Shabransky is that easy a touch either. I would rather see Kovalev start his comeback trail someone the level of Gvodyzk recent opponents which were Baker and Gonzalez.

Meh. I'd much rather have seen Kovalev fighting the guy that beat Shabransky; Barrera than the also ran.

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:

PsychoGamerTwo wrote:Shabranskyy, lmao... guy got rocked by Paul Parker & stopped by Barrera. Pointless fight, even for a "comeback". If you want to make some $$$, bet all you have on Krusher by stoppage. Barrera would have been a much better fight. And unlike Shabranskyy, he's earned it. Only lost to Ward, stopped Shabranskyy, and beat Smith Jr. Now, this would have been somewhat interesting. Before the Ward fight, this would have been an easy win for Kov, but now its apparently different, and Main Events doesn't want to take this risk.

Why would main events not want kovalev/Barrera?

I'm guessing that they don't want to damage the career of one of their very few significant fighters. It's a far better matchup though.

victor-romeo wrote:

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:

PsychoGamerTwo wrote:Shabranskyy, lmao... guy got rocked by Paul Parker & stopped by Barrera. Pointless fight, even for a "comeback". If you want to make some $$$, bet all you have on Krusher by stoppage. Barrera would have been a much better fight. And unlike Shabranskyy, he's earned it. Only lost to Ward, stopped Shabranskyy, and beat Smith Jr. Now, this would have been somewhat interesting. Before the Ward fight, this would have been an easy win for Kov, but now its apparently different, and Main Events doesn't want to take this risk.

Why would main events not want kovalev/Barrera?

Because Barreara might beat Kovalev or give him a damaging fight , and you want an easier opponent while building your fighters psyche, I don't think Shabransky is that easy a touch either. I would rather see Kovalev start his comeback trail someone the level of Gvodyzk recent opponents which were Baker and Gonzalez.

If Kovalev can't handle Shabransky he should just retire.

lefty wrote:

victor-romeo wrote:

SaadOffTheDeck wrote: Why would main events not want kovalev/Barrera?

Because Barreara might beat Kovalev or give him a damaging fight , and you want an easier opponent while building your fighters psyche, I don't think Shabransky is that easy a touch either. I would rather see Kovalev start his comeback trail someone the level of Gvodyzk recent opponents which were Baker and Gonzalez.

If Kovalev can't handle Shabransky he should just retire.

This !

..no reason why he can't..

If Kov has been pushed into this, isn't fully prepared and IS in decline, I would like to see Shabranskyy's odds. I like the fight because it answers questions.

Don't really mind it as a quick comeback fight, especially after two losses and trainer change. Shabransky can at least punch a bit and is somewhat of an offensive threat if Kov isn't all there...

I knew he'd be fighting an Eastern European and not Marcus Browne... Next they'll try to match him with Gvozdyk or Beterbiev... Ward??? He'll fight Chickenson.

Marcus who?

Don't mind the fight, though Shabranskyy still has too much kickboxer in him to avoid right hands. Reminds me of a green Huck in that regard. Too late to really change at this stage but a combo/move trainer, which is all Roach is, would maximize his style at least.

victor-romeo wrote:

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:

PsychoGamerTwo wrote:Shabranskyy, lmao... guy got rocked by Paul Parker & stopped by Barrera. Pointless fight, even for a "comeback". If you want to make some $$$, bet all you have on Krusher by stoppage. Barrera would have been a much better fight. And unlike Shabranskyy, he's earned it. Only lost to Ward, stopped Shabranskyy, and beat Smith Jr. Now, this would have been somewhat interesting. Before the Ward fight, this would have been an easy win for Kov, but now its apparently different, and Main Events doesn't want to take this risk.

Why would main events not want kovalev/Barrera?

Because Barreara might beat Kovalev or give him a damaging fight , and you want an easier opponent while building your fighters psyche, I don't think Shabransky is that easy a touch either. I would rather see Kovalev start his comeback trail someone the level of Gvodyzk recent opponents which were Baker and Gonzalez.

Don't they have Barrera too?