Team Kovalev Plans Huge Homecoming With Ryabinskiy
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