Unified light heavyweight titleholder Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev - 28-0-1, 25 KOs - is starting 2016 with a familiar opponent. The Russian champion will meet Montreal’s Jean Pascal - 30-3-1, 17 KOs - in a rematch of their March 2015 encounter, which Kovalev won by TKO. The year ahead promises to be big for Kovalev, who is widely regarded as one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighters.
Bet on boxing odds at BookMaker.eu
Sergey Kovalev -2000
Jean Pascal +900
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ODDS ANALYSIS
The boxing odds at BookMaker.eu have Kovalev as a 20-to-1 favorite, and he’s even higher in a few Vegas casinos. You can find the Russian as expensive as -2500 in some cases, with Pascal’s line up to +1400. In any case, oddsmakers are projecting Kovalev to retain his titles with relative ease.
THE LEAD-IN
Make sure to check back next week for a full fight preview. Today, we’re going over the buildup to the fight. There’s a lot to cover here, which is typically the case when one of the best in the world is about to climb into the ring.
The pair will meet again at the Bell Centre, which is Pascal’s home turf. Kovalev is obviously trying to make a push to gain fans in the North American market, as he could’ve easily forced the Canadian to go overseas to fight in Europe. There’s also this:
“Krusher likes to fight in his opponent’s city because he loves to disappoint the opposing boxer’s fans,” said Kathy Duva, Kovalev’s promoter.
The Russian is arguably the most terrifying puncher in the sport, right up there with Gennady Golovkin. Out of his past 10 opponents, only Bernard Hopkins earned the distinction of making it to the final bell. That’s a list that include quality victims, like Nathan Cleverly, Cedric Agnew and Pascal.
Of course, Pascal is confident that the rematch will have a different outcome. “I promise you that Kovalev is going to have a full plate in the rematch. I’m going to have a full plate as well, but I have a new trainer [Hall of Famer Freddie Roach]. I’ve changed things. I’ve improved in ways that Kovalev cannot even imagine. I’m going to break up the party. I’m going to teach him respect and to respect Canadian boxing fans.”
The switch to Freddie Roach is interesting, as the now legendary trainer has turned good fighters into great ones. And at 33 years old, Pascal is still in his physical prime. It’s conceivable that he could get better. Still, Kovalev’s jab picked him apart, and he’ll have to find a way to avoid it.
BIG THINGS COMING FOR KRUSHER
Kovalev reportedly has a new three-fight contract with HBO. The first is obviously against Pascal, and the third is against Andre Ward in late 2016. The second opponent has yet to be announced, but there’s speculation that it could be light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson. The 38-year old hasn’t had many tough fights since beating Andrzej Fonfara.
A Kovalev vs. Stevenson matchup would be one of the sport’s tentpole fights in 2016. It’s not quite Canelo vs. Golovkin, but it’s close. The opportunity to unify the four major belts would definitely perk a lot of interest. If Kovalev can beat Stevenson and Andre Ward after, he’d be one of the favorites for 2016 Fighter of the Year.
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