Sergey Kovalev Vs Eleider Alvarez Fight Preview by the Numbers!
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By Joshua “City” Brewer
Ringside Report will be ‘Ringside’ (ironically) on Saturday, August 4, 2018, when WBO world light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev, 32-2-1, 28 KO’s, clashes with undefeated light heavyweight Eleider Alvarez, 23-0, 11 KO’s. The Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City, NJ, will usher in a new era of ‘big time’ boxing in the historically popular fight city.
This could be considered somewhat of a crossroads fight for Kovalev. Not that he’s fallen off the wagon or anything as he’s seemingly more focused on training and prep than ever, but in most cases (some exceptions), fighters have only a small window of time at the very top of a division, #1. A few years ago Kovalev was the unquestioned #1 light heavyweight in the world, even as Andre Ward moved into the division for an eventual clash between the two. Prior to the Ward fights, it wasn’t up for debate.
Fast forward to 2018, Ward loses aside, there is an array of light heavies who are breathing up the neck of anyone ranked higher than them. Alvarez is one of those fighters. Interestingly enough, Alvarez is only a year younger than Kovalev, but he’s no question the fresher fighter. The Colombian has defeated a number of light heavyweight veterans leading up to this point. That said, Kovalev will be his stiffest test to date and is the deserved favorite. If Alvarez comes up short in this fight then he’ll have an even harder time (and surely won’t) getting back to this stage.
Now, what you’ve all been waiting for (not really), my prediction. The way I see it, Alvarez is a damn good boxer. From what I’ve seen he’s technically sound and is very determined (yes, there’s a BUT). He has everything you could want, but, I don’t see any homeruns. Kovalev is a homerun hitter and even at this later stage in his career, he should be able to put together a thorough enough performance to defeat Alvarez. While Kovalev is a homerun hitter, I see this fight being one of those deep balls that look as though it’s about to go out the yard, but drops just shy of the warning tracks. A Kovalev unanimous decision is in order, though, anything could potentially happen.
The co-featured bout for this event was strategically added. Undefeated Russian light heavyweight standout and WBA world light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, 13-0, 11 KO’s, will be facing veteran Malawian, Isaac “Golden Boy” Chilemba, 25-5-2, 10 KO’s. If the boxing gods and oddsmakers (and me) are right, a unification fight between Kovalev and Bivol is in the cards for later in the year. Just as I mentioned how Kovalev was in previous years the unquestioned #1 light heavyweight, Bivol is the unquestioned ‘next in line’ #1 light heavyweight. Think about those high school yearbook predictions for “Most Likely to Succeed,” that’s Bivol (only this time it will actually hold true). I’m not in anyway trying to count Chilemba out, but let’s just say that I would be shocked if he beats Bivol (SHOCKED).
All things considered, I think that it will be a great night of boxing in Atlantic City, and I look forward to seeing the action. Atlantic City has typically been the go to place for boxing action on the east coast outside of MSG. They’ve gone through a number of down years but things now seem to be on the up and up.
Here’s to Atlantic City, boxing, RSR, and most importantly—the fans!
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