The multi-division champion headlines in Las Vegas for the first time this weekend and should mark the occasion with a clinical display
Any boxer nicknamed the ‘Krusher’ needs to be able to live up to that title.
After six destructive years in the sport, Sergey Kovalev has certainly achieved everything that was expected of him. Currently the WBA, IBF and WBO light-heavyweight champion, the Russian has established one of the fiercest reputations in boxing.
The multi-division champion fights at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino this weekend – the first time he has headlined in Las Vegas – in what is almost certain to be a routine defence.
Kovalev’s opponent, the Frenchman Nadjib Mohammedi, earned his chance at glory thanks to an impressive 13-fight winning streak. This, however, is a huge jump in class for the 30-year-old.
The pressure solely weighs on the shoulders of Kovalev, who is aiming to maintain his unbeaten record – 28 and counting – and reaffirm his position in the world’s top-five pound-for-pound boxers.
The 32-year-old earned his ranking as the planet’s number-one light heavyweight with devastating knock-out wins against opponents such as Jean Pascal, Nathan Cleverly and Cedric Agnew. His KO rate currently stands at an impressive 86%, with ten of those coming from his last 11 contests.
This is ominous for Mohammedi, who has previously suffered losses in the first and second rounds.
13/8 – Kovalev to win in rounds 1 to 3
Kovalev has shown he has a vast array of boxing skills during the course of his career, too. During his unification bout against Bernard Hopkins, he was able to secure a unanimous decision by out-boxing his legendary opponent, who was wily enough to avoid any potentially fight-ending right hooks.
If Mohammedi is somehow able to avoid getting caught, therefore, then expect him to subsequently lose on points.
13/2 – Kovalev to win by points decision
Prior to the biggest fight of his life, Mohammedi will surely take some heart from the fact he has won his last four fights by KO. His best chance of winning is if he catches Kovalev unaware and lands the perfect punch.
Considering Kovalev has barely been rocked in any of his previous fights, such an outcome is, at best, improbable.
