Sergey Kovalev may have lost three of his last six fights but he is still the top ranked light heavyweight in the world. That is because Kovalev is coming off a major victory in his last fight against Eleider Alvarez in which he extracted revenge for a previous loss in his fight before in which Eleider won a seventh-round knockout to take away Kovalev’s World Boxing Organization world light heavyweight title. In the rematch Kovalev scored a unanimous decision win to get the belt back. On August 24 Kovalev will be fighting in his own backyard of Mother Russia as he defends his title belt against British challenger Anthony Yarde. Originally Kovalev was supposed to face Canelo Alvarez but talks stalled so promoters quickly arranged a matchup with Yarde instead.
Boxing Odds at BookMaker.eu
Sergey Kovalev -185
Anthony Yarde +160
Over/under rounds - Check Back Later
ESPN+ will present the World Boxing Organization world light heavyweight title between defending Sergey Kovalev (33-3-1, 28 knockouts) and challenger Anthony Yarde (18-0, 17 knockouts) on August 24, 2019 at the Traktor Sport Palace in Chelyabinsk, Russia. This fight is scheduled for 12 rounds.
Fight Preview
After a deal with Canelo Alvarez fell through promoters were pleased to come up with this matchup instead.
"We are so pleased that Sergey, one of boxing's greatest all-time road warriors, will finally get the chance to defend his title in his own hometown, where he grew up and where his most-devoted fan base resides," Main Events promoter Kathy Duva said. "I can only imagine how excited Sergey's friends and neighbors will be to finally get the chance to see him perform in person."
Sergey Kovalev could not be happier about his upcoming home bout against Anthony Yarde. Kovalev is now based in Los Angeles but is a native of Russia and will be fighting in his home town of Chelyabinsk. Although he is disappointed about not being able to fight Canelo, at least for now, fighting at home was a nice consolation prize for the champ.
"I am thrilled to fight for the first time in my hometown of Chelyabinsk. It is a dream to defend my WBO title in front of all my friends and family back home," Kovalev said. "Thank you to (RCC Promotions') Igor Altushkin, (manager) Egis Klimas and Main Events for making this dream a reality and thank you to Anthony Yarde for agreeing to fight in my backyard."
Yarde has fought every one of his bouts in the United Kingdom except for one lone fight in the United States. He is excited to have a shot at Kovalev in place of Canelo and is motivated to show well. Additionally, Yarde is excited about fighting in Russia as the underdog against the home town hero.
"I am more than happy to achieve my goal in Russia and I think it is only right that a great world champion such as Kovalev is given the opportunity to defend in his home country," Yarde said. "He has earned that right. What I know is that on Aug. 24 another world title belt will be under British ownership and I will have done it the hard way. One that nobody will be able to question."
Boxing Betting Tips
Kovalev is back on track as proven by his revenge win over Eleider Alvarez and realizes that he can’t afford a slipup against Yarde if he wants to get a shot at Canelo. Furthermore, Kovalev will have the added motivational fuel of fighting in front of his countrymen in his old hometown.
Boxing Odds Pick: Sergey Kovalev
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With the boxing odds atBookMaker Sportsbook, you can bet on boxing all year, from smaller cards to pay-per-view events. Access live betting lines from yourmobile deviceat BookMaker Sportsbook. Sergey Kovalev vs. Anthony Yarde takes place on August 29, 2019 at Traktor Sport Palace in Chelyabinsk, Russia. The fight can be seen on ESPN+.
