The former Ibf, Wba and current WBO light-Hw champion Sergey Kovalev entered this fight with a professional record of 33-3-1 (28 KOs=85%) and he is ranked as the No.1 light heavyweight in the world. In his last two bouts he has faced twice Eleider Alvarez losing the first fight (the Russian was ahead on points but he was knocked out in the seventh round, Sergey Kovalev vs Eleider Alvarez I) and winning the rematch (Eleider Alvarez vs Sergey Kovalev II).
His opponent, the undefeated Anthony Yarde, has a perfect record of 18-0-0 (17 KOs=94%) and he entered as the No.13 in the same weight class. In his last three bouts he has won over Dariusz Sek (Anthony Yarde vs Dariusz Sek), Walter Gabriel Sequeira (Anthony Yarde vs Walter Gabriel Sequeira) and Travis Reeves (Anthony Yarde vs Travis Reeves). Kovalev vs Yarde is valid for the WBO World light heavyweight title (Kovalev’s first defense). Watch the video and rate this fight!
Date: 2019-08-24
Where: Traktor Sport Palace, Chelyabinsk, Russia
Division: light heavyweight (175 lbs, 79.4 kg)
Title: WBO World light heavyweight title
Kovalev’s previous fight: Eleider Alvarez vs Sergey Kovalev 2
Yarde’s previous fight: Anthony Yarde vs Travis Reeves
Kovalev’s next fight: Saul Canelo Alvarez vs Sergey Kovalev
Kovalev vs Yarde full fight video:
(Free embeddable video hosted on Facebook/Youtube and not uploaded by AllTheBestFights)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFmtC8L1XyU
Official video
Official highlights
K.O. from a jab.Wow!
He was too tire , kovalev even throw him down easily before that.
Its in Russia so I expect Kov to be on all TYPES of PEDs =/
talking of yourself, all Brits are going on steroids. did not help this time again
Actually I think that russian training methods were the most clean and advanced. You should really read about periodization training in NFL: it was humbly adapted from the great russian results (and smartly integrated in the american system).
What russian boxing school misses is boxing in the pocket and Kovalev shows it.
Another very good point of russian school is the long term planning of careers. There are few boxers not washed up at 36 years of age in the western countries. Thanks to Floyd example we have learnt to better protect the pro careers and health: it took too long.
Kovalev Should get his payday from Canelo & then bow out. He’s slowing dramatically. Still has a champion’s will. He’s proven his mettle for sure. Good win. As for Anthony Yarde. …I just don’t think he’s very good. & if he never spars…that’s insane. I remember Sergio Martinez quoting that he didn’t spar much to at all in camp for fights. The rationale was that it kept his hunger to fight very high. He would be eager bc of the lack thereof. Seemed to work brilliantly for him bc he would let his hands rip & punish opponents. I suppose it worked for Yarde up to this next level. Sergio won at the top level for 5 yrs i believe as champ so. ..
Good fight, good drama and knockout.
Yarde is athletic but definitely not world class. Kovalev is an old 36 with shaky legs and an increased fragility from body punches but always makes for entertaining fights. He losses to Bivol and Gvozdyk pretty handily at this stage of his career I reckon.
Amazing fight from Kovalev side. at age of 36 he still has very high precision jabs and good agility.