Sergey Kovalev is finally back in the winning row after unloading on Vyacheslav Shabranskyy for two rounds in their WBO light heavyweight title match on Saturday at Madison Square Garden, New York.
Kovalev, who is so often seen and admired as one of the most dominant boxers in the world, was returning to the ring after suffering back-to-back losses at the hands of Andre Ward.
Kovalev recaptured one of the 175-pound world titles he lost to Andre Ward by controversial decision last November. Ward knocked out (KO) Kovalev in the eighth round of their rematch on June 17, and he vacated his three titles when he retired in September. One of them now belongs to Kovalev again, and he made it look easy regaining it.
Kovalev savaged Shabranskyy in front of big crowd.
Shabranskyy’s gloves would meet the canvas three times in less than six minutes, with the Russian powerhouse Kovalev knocking his man down three times in the opening two rounds before referee Harvey Docked stepped in and waved off the bout at 2 minutes, 36 seconds.
“I did it. I reloaded my brain, mentally, and conditioned my body,” Kovalev said following the bout. “I’m back. It’s my goal to be the best in this division. I don’t think in the last fight (Kovalev’s first ever career stoppage) I was stopped. It was an illegal decision by the referee. But I’m ready to fight for all the titles, unified titles. … I love boxing, and I’m looking forward to making great fights.”
Kovalev, 34, a Russia native now lays claim to both the WBO and IBA light heavyweight titles and is looking on for his next challenge in the light heavyweight class.
“The belts have different owners, and that makes the boxing very much interesting,” he said. “We can make good fights for the boxing fans and also for boxing history. I just want to find out who is the best in the light heavyweight division in the future.”
Check out the Kovalev’s KO below:
