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By Bryan Mazique / Credit:  Photo by John Locher, AP –

WBA, IBF and WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (28-0-1, 25 KO) continues to crush opponents.

On Saturday night, Kovalev defended his titles by way of a third-round TKO win over an overmatched Nadjib Mohammedi (37-4). There was little resistance offered up by Mohammedi in this one.

He couldn’t match Kovalev’s speed, technical acumen and certainly not the Russian’s power. With every power punch the champion landed, it was clear he was just too strong for Mohammedi.

The challenger’s only defense seemed to be his awkwardness, but Kovalev wouldn’t allow that to keep him from the finish for long. He dropped Mohammedi for the first time in the second round with this right hand, per HBO Boxing.

Watch: Kovalev sends Mohammedi down to the canvas in the second round.

Mohammedi would get to his feet, but he made the decision reluctantly. He spent the remainder of the round grabbing, holding and attempting to wrestle Kovalev down in an effort to survive the frame. He accomplished his short-term goal, but it was clear he wouldn’t be around for long.

In the third round, Kovalev put him away with this right-left combination. The tail end of the one-two might have broken a bone in Mohammedi’s face.

Watch: @KrusherKovalev ends Mohammedi’s night in the third round. pic.twitter.com/Bspfswk0wp

Referee Kenny Bayless called a halt to the bout as Mohammedi made more effort to address his injured cheek bone than he did to beat the count.

When the fight was over, speculation about Kovalev’s next opponent began.

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Jean Pascal won a controversial decision over Yunieski Gonzalez in the undercard, and that win put him in line for another shot at Kovalev. The Russian already scored an eighth-round TKO win over Pascal in March.

The fight was an entertaining one, so there could be a small market for the rematch. On a larger scale, a fight with WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson or countrymen Artur Beterbiev would be most appealing. Making either fight will be problematic because Al Haymon promotes both fighters, and there’s a storied history of issues with HBO and Showtime fighters facing off against each other.

More realistic opponents for Kovalev would be middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin or super middleweight kingpin Andre Ward.

Golovkin would have to come up at least eight pounds for a superbout with Kovalev. Ward would be a more feasible opponent as the two men could meet somewhere between 168 and 175 pounds. HBO’s Max Kellerman asked Kovalev who he would like to face next with specific references to Golovkin and Ward, but Kovalev kept it general, per HBO Boxing.

“I’m ready for everyone.” – @KrusherKovalev on his future opponents.

Many in the boxing community such as Bleacher Report’s Kevin McRae and Bad Left Hook’s Scott Christ were intrigued by the possibility of a Ward vs. Kovalev scrap.

I’d be super fascinated by a Ward-Kovalev matchup. Think that’s a great one on paper.

@scottchristBLH Agree. I am very curious to see how Andre could handle or take away Kovalev’s power.

There’s no doubt that bout could be an entertaining one. Kovalev’s power is unlike anything Ward has ever faced. With Ward moving up, it would be interesting to see how he handles the additional weight and bigger punch.

As of now, we don’t have any official word on that bout. We’ll just have to appreciate Kovalev’s latest destructive exhibition.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2531453-sergey-kovalev-vs-nadjib-mohammedi-winner-recap-and-reaction

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(Photo Credit: David Spagnolo/Main Events) By Jim Dower:   IBF/WBA/WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (28-0-1, 25 KOs) stayed unbeaten tonight in destroying an overmatched No.1 IBF Nadjib Mohammedi (37-4, 23 KOs) by a 3rd round knockout on Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Kovalev knocked Mohammedi down twice in the fight in dropping him in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Kovalev finished Mohammedi off with a big right hand followed by a left to the head that sent him down. Mohammedi clutched at his left eye while he was on the canvas, and failed to beat the canvas.

In the 2nd round, Kovalev nailed Mohammedi with a big right hand that hurt him, causing him to back up. Kovalev then narrowed the gap and dropped Mohammedi with a short right hand to the head. After the knockdown, Mohammedi constantly held to make it out of the round. He slid to the canvas once after losing his footing. Mohammedi’s legs were totally gone after the knockdown.

“I’m ready for anyone,” Kovalev said after the fight. “If the promoters want to make this fight [against Andre Ward], I’d be happy.”

HBO’s Max Kellerman even asked Kovalev if he’d be interested in facing Yunieski Gonzalez, who lost a controversial 10 round decision to Jean Pascal tonight in the co-feature, and Kovalev repeated that he’s ready for anyone if the people want to see the fight and if his promoters want to make the fight.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2015/07/kovalev-vs-mohammedi-early-results/

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Fight fans eager for a unique inside look at the highly anticipated Nov. 23rd HBO Pay-Per-View® welterweight slugfest between worldwide superstar Manny Pacquiao and emerging star Brandon Rios should mark their calendars to catch an all-new edition of “Face Off,” starring the two prizefighters. “Face Off With Max Kellerman: Pacquiao/Rios” debuts Saturday, Nov. 2 at 12:15 a.m. (ET/PT) on HBO, immediately following a live HBO Boxing doubleheader.

Moderated by Max Kellerman, “Face Off” is an insightful and often gripping interview session in which the two fighters square off and answer Kellerman’s questions.  The fighters also get the chance to address each other and their fans in this engaging format.

Pacquiao_Rios_Kellerman_130808_001aThe Pacquiao/Rios extended version of “Face Off” is set to air multiple times on HBO and HBO2 (schedule below).  “Face Off” will also be available on the HBO On Demand® service, HBO GO® and at www.hbo.com/boxing as well as various other new media platforms that distribute the program.

 

HBO air times include: Nov. 2 (12:15 a.m.), 5 (5:15 a.m.), 9 (9:15 a.m. & 3:35 a.m.), 13 (11:45 a.m. & 9:15 p.m.), 17 (11:45 a.m.) 19 (10:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m.), 21 (1:30 p.m. & 12:00 a.m.), 22 (5:15 p.m.) & 23 (12:00 p.m.).

HBO2 air times include: Nov. 7 (10:25 a.m.), 11 (4:05 a.m.), 15 (10:15 p.m.), 20 (6:00 p.m. & 9:15 p.m.), 22 (3:05 p.m. & 11:00 p.m.), & 23 (1:25 p.m.).

All times are ET/PT.

Pacquiao vs. Rios takes place Saturday, Nov. 23 from the Venetian® Macao CotaiArena in Macau, China and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT.

http://www.boxingscene.com/pacquiao-rios-face-off-debuts-on-nov-2nd-on-hbo–70954