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By Reynaldo Sanchez –

WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (22-0-1, 20KOs) is training hard for his upcoming first defense of the title against dangerous top contender Ismayl Sillakh (21-1, 17KOs), scheduled for November 30th at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City. The fight will be televised by HBO. Kovalev put in some sparring work against undefeated prospect Ilshat Khusnulgatin (11-0, 6KOs). Both boxers are promoted by Main Events and managed by Egis Klimas.

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http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-sergey-kovalev-vs-ilshat-khusnulgatin-camp–71400

Sergey-Kovalev-2160373By Alexey Sukachev –

Russian real estate and now boxing tycoon Andrey Ryabinskiy continues to shake the world with his ambitious projects. This time Ryabinskiy, the man behind the biggest heavyweight fight in years between world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin, has targeted another big fish.

“I’ve met tonight with Andrey in his office”, confirmed Egis Klimas to BoxingScene.com. “He is very interested in Sergey Kovalev. We had a great talk, and possibilities are very high that we should set something up here in Russia, Sergey’s homeland”.

“No solid dates or opponents but Mr. Ryabinskiy is very positive on bringing Kovalev back to Russia – not even for a megafight but for several very big events. It might very well be a continuous relationship, which can start as early as the beginning of the next year”, continued Klimas. “I was impressed with the way Andrey tries to change the Russian pugilistic landscape – that’s truly amazing”.

What about HBO and Main Events, which acts as Kovalev’s promoter. “Hands down, Main Events is our chief promoter and we are very interested in HBO as well. I think, however, that things can be worked out for Sergey to make Russia his primary stage. HBO will televise the Povetkin fight, and I’m pretty much ensured it’ll be interested in covering Sergey’s fights as well”.

What is about Kovalev’s next fight and the opponent. “We’ve got some plans and some candidates but nothing is solidified yet. We tend to fight next in America but we keep Russia in mind as well”, said Klimas.

Sergey Kovalev (22-0-1, 20 KOs) is the WBO light heavyweight world champion, putting his frightening mixture of skills and chilling punching power on display on Aug. 17 against Nathan Cleverly, whom he has knocked out in four rounds.

http://www.boxingscene.com/team-kovalev-plans-huge-homecoming-with-ryabinskiy–69748

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Richard Maynard/Frank Warren Prom./By:  Scott Christ –

The weights were all good today in Cardiff, and Nathan Cleverly and Sergey Kovalev are ready to rumble.

Nathan Cleverly and Sergey Kovalev are set to go for tomorrow’s WBO light heavyweight title clash in Cardiff, Wales, which will be broadcast live on BoxNation and on tape delay in the United States by HBO.

Cleverly (26-0, 12 KO) weighed in at 174 pounds, with Kovalev (21-0-1, 19 KO) at 173, both under the 175-pound limit. This will be Cleverly’s fifth defense of the title, which he won in full in 2011. It’s the first world title shot for Kovalev, a Russian fighter who is now based in the United States and promoted by Main Events.

BLH will have live coverage tomorrow afternoon starting at 2:00 pm EDT, with the full BoxNation-televised card part. In the chief support bout, Gary Buckland will defend the British super featherweight title against Stephen Smith, with the fighters weighing in at 128 and 130 pounds, respectively. Also on the card, Ovill McKenzie (174) will face Enzo Maccarinelli (174) in a rematch for the Commonwealth light heavyweight title.

http://www.badlefthook.com/2013/8/16/4628176/cleverly-vs-kovalev-fighters-make-weight-for-cardiff-main-event