Sergey Kovalev: Bernard Hopkins, Power Punching & Family
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Exclusive Interview by “Bad” Brad BerkwittPhoto Credit: Gene Blevins – Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions
“Bernard Hopkins is a very smart fighter, very technical, and has a good defense. We are preparing for everything.”—Sergey Kovalev
The current WBO Champion Segey Kovalev is on a mission. He wants all four titles in the light heavyweight division and the legendary defiant of “Father Time” Bernard Hopkins is holding two of those belts (WBA & IBF). On November 8th, Kovalev a power puncher that has destroyed 23 of the 25 men he faced across from him by knockout will get his chance to do something that lately, much younger champions have not been able to do. And that’s beat Bernard Hopkins.
BB: On November 8th, you have the biggest fight of your career against fellow champion Bernard Hopkins. It’s no secret that he keeps winning fights against much younger champions such as you. What are you going to do differently than many other young champions have tried against Hopkins, but came up losing?
I don’t have a strategy. I just go to fight. Bernard Hopkins is a very smart fighter, very technical, and has a good defense. We are preparing for everything.
BB: You have 23 out of 25 wins on your fight ledger by knockout. What do you work on to increase your punching power?
I do strength and conditioning training in Big Bear, in mountains at high altitude. Altitude is additional hard work. I am doing Pilates in Big Bear now for the first time. If I am more flexible, I will be stronger and have a better defense.
BB: You won your first world title on August 17, 2013 when you stopped Nathan Cleverly. How has winning the WBO strap changed your life?
Winning the world title was great, but now I am working harder because it is my dream to win all four titles in the light heavyweight division. This my life.
BB: What is one thing outside of boxing you can share with the readers that might surprise them?
My first baby is due on October 17th, but I will go to Florida before. The doctor says we can make the baby come early. It’s very important to my wife that I see the baby before I go.
BB: Do you favor a mandatory retirement fund for all boxers and if so, how do you think it can finally be accomplished?
I think it would be great for all boxers. I don’t know how. Right now I can only focus on this fight.
BB: Finally, what is the saying you live your life by?
I just can’t pick one…
(Interviewer’s note: I would like to thank Ellen Haley from Main Events for coordinating this interview.)
Sergey Kovalev
Division: Light Heavyweight
Professional record: 25-0, 23 KO’s
Date Opponent W-L-D Location Result
2009-07-25 Daniel Chavez 0-0-0 Greensboro, US W TKO 1
2009-08-08 Darryl Johnson 0-1-0 Columbia, US W TKO 1
2009-08-29 Michael Birthmark 1-3-0 Tacoma, US W RTD 1
2009-09-12 Ayodeji Fadeyi 10-8-1 Beverly Hills, US W RTD 1
2009-10-10 Micky Stackhouse 6-20-1 Greensboro, US W TKO 2
2010-03-06 Francois Ambang 2-5-1 Fairfax, US W KO 2
2010-03-19 Nathan Bedwell 0-0-0 Louisville, US W TKO 1
2010-06-19 Harley Kilfian 8-5-0 Tacoma, US W TKO 2
2010-09-11 Kia Daniels 6-5-0 Beverly Hills, US W KO 1
2010-10-09 Darnell Boone 17-15-3 Atlanta, US W SD 8
2010-11-19 Dallas Vargas 22-5-0 Chicago, US W TKO 2
2010-12-15 Karen Avetisyan 3-1-1 Ekaterinburg, RU W UD 6
2011-03-12 William Johnson 9-23-1 Lafayette, US W TKO 2
2011-04-01 Julius Fogle 15-6-0 Chicago, US W KO 2
2011-05-06 Terrance Woods 8-1-0 Indio, US W KO 3
2011-07-29 Douglas Otieno Okola 23-6-0 Las Vegas, US W KO 2
vacant NABA USA Light Heavyweight Title
2011-08-27 Grover Young 5-4-0 Beverly Hills, US D TD 2
2011-12-05 Roman Simakov 19-1-1 Ekaterinburg, RU W TKO 7
WBC Asian Boxing Council Light Heavyweight Title
2012-06-01 Darnell Boone 19-18-3 Bethlehem, US W TKO 2
2012-09-21 Lionell Thompson 12-1-0 Bethlehem, US W TKO 3
2013-01-19 Gabriel Campillo 21-4-1 Uncasville, US W TKO 3
2013-06-14 Cornelius White 21-1-0 Bethlehem, US W TKO 3
2013-08-17 Nathan Cleverly 26-0-0 Cardiff, UK W TKO 4
WBO World Light Heavyweight Title
2013-11-30 Ismayl Sillah 21-1-0 Quebec City, CA W KO 2
WBO World Light Heavyweight Title
2014-03-29 Cedric Agnew 26-0-0 Atlantic City, US W KO 7
WBO World Light Heavyweight Title
2014-08-02 Blake Caparello 19-0-1 Atlantic City, US W TKO 2
WBO World Light Heavyweight Title