On 26 March, 2015, the WBC mandated IBF/WBA/WBO light-heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (27-0-1, 24 knockouts) and WBC light-heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson (25-1, 21 knockouts) to commence negotiations between both sides.
Fingers continue to point in each direction for the plight that ended with Adonis Stevenson making the switch to Showtime rather than sticking with HBO. Keep in mind, none of this would have mattered if HBO did not televise a nonsensical doubleheader featuring both Stevenson and Kovalev without first having an agreement in place for them to meet on HBO in their proceeding fight.
This did not occur between Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins because the agreement was already in place when both men fought Felix Sturm and Robert Allen, respectively in 2004.
If the two sides are unable to come to an agreement, hope will still be alive. There will be a purse bid that will take place on 17 April, close to two weeks after Stevenson’s fight against Sakio Bika (32-6-3, 21 knockouts) at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
If the fight happens, it will be the toughest challenge for both men. Jean Pascal proved to be the right opponent for Sergey Kovalev.
Although the fight was stopped prematurely, the fans got their money’s worth. Adonis Stevenson presents a unique challenge because there are very few people in boxing who possess skull-cracking power at Kovalev’s level. It’s all going to come down to who gets off first; both are fast starters, and it may even have fight of the year potential.
We’re expecting Stevenson-Bika to be a close fight, but for ‘Superman’ to score a decisive knockdown late in the fight, which would undoubtedly seal the deal from there.
The WBC made the right move by ordering the Kovalev-Stevenson fight. This puts Stevenson in a cumbrous position. Does he want the fight with Kovalev? Even if he doesn’t, he may not have a choice, unless if he’s willing to risk defacing his prestige indefinitely.
What’s your prediction for Kovalev-Stevenson? Let us know in the comments!
