With Andre Ward retired, WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (31-2-1, 27 KO) is re-establishing himself as the king of the division. Kovalev will put his title on the line against Igor Mikhalkin (21-1, 9 KO) on Saturday night from Madison Square Garden Theater on Saturday night.
There are other challengers for the mythical crown, such as WBA titleholder and Dmitry Bivol who faces Sullivan Barrera in HBO's co-feature, and WBC titleholder Adonis Stevenson. However, Kovalev has the most impressive resume. He'll look to improve upon that on Saturday as he tries to stop his countryman for the first time.
The oddsmakers don't give Mikhalkin much of a chance to spring the upset.
Mikhalkin is a southpaw and Kovalev hasn't fought a non-orthodox opponent in four years. That said, Kovalev easily handled that assignment when he stopped Blake Caparello in the third round in of their August 2014. The most troubling aspect of Mikhalkin's plight lies in his lack of punching power.
In 22 professional fights, Mikhalkin has only nine stoppage wins. In fact, he hasn't had a KO/TKO win in almost three years. For Mikhalkin, that span covers five years. Mikhalkin has never been stopped in his career, but this could be the first time he doesn't see the end of a pro bout.
Mikhalkin is taking a major step up in competition, while the massively-favorited Kovalev is taking his second consecutive soft touch since losing back-to-back fights to Ward.
Kovalev may take a couple of rounds to find the timing against the somewhat tricky southpaw, but ultimately he'll break Mikhalkin behind his powerful jab and sinister right cross. Kovalev wins via fifth-round TKO.
With Andre Ward retired, WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (31-2-1, 27 KO) is re-establishing himself as the king of the division. Kovalev will put his title on the line against Igor Mikhalkin (21-1, 9 KO) on Saturday night from Madison Square Garden Theater on Saturday night.
There are other challengers for the mythical crown, such as WBA titleholder and Dmitry Bivol who faces Sullivan Barrera in HBO's co-feature, and WBC titleholder Adonis Stevenson. However, Kovalev has the most impressive resume. He'll look to improve upon that on Saturday as he tries to stop his countryman for the first time.
The oddsmakers don't give Mikhalkin much of a chance to spring the upset.
Mikhalkin is a southpaw and Kovalev hasn't fought a non-orthodox opponent in four years. That said, Kovalev easily handled that assignment when he stopped Blake Caparello in the third round in of their August 2014. The most troubling aspect of Mikhalkin's plight lies in his lack of punching power.
In 22 professional fights, Mikhalkin has only nine stoppage wins. In fact, he hasn't had a KO/TKO win in almost three years. For Mikhalkin, that span covers five years. Mikhalkin has never been stopped in his career, but this could be the first time he doesn't see the end of a pro bout.
Mikhalkin is taking a major step up in competition, while the massively-favorited Kovalev is taking his second consecutive soft touch since losing back-to-back fights to Ward.
Kovalev may take a couple of rounds to find the timing against the somewhat tricky southpaw, but ultimately he'll break Mikhalkin behind his powerful jab and sinister right cross. Kovalev wins via fifth-round TKO.
