WBO world light-heavyweight champion, Sergey Kovalev has touched on Sullivan Barrera’s recent decision to opt to face WBA world light-heavyweight title holder, Dmitry Bivol instead of choosing to lock horns with him.
“Every fighter is looking for the most comfortable terms for himself,” Kovalev began by explaining.
Dance boxing from the Krusher 👊🏼😀#krusher#kovalev#worldchampionpic.twitter.com/FX9ZvHGKlM
— Sergei Kovalev (@KrusherKovalev) January 8, 2018
“Barrera found more comfortable terms to fight Bivol. Maybe he thinks that Bivol doesn’t have enough skills, experience or power.”
“I don’t know what he thinks, but it could be. He said that he thinks that he can get a victory over Bivol [more than] over me.”
“He got less money, but he thinks he got an easier opponent for him. It’s his choice.”
“I respect his choice and let’s see what will happen March 3rd. We will all do our job the best we can for the boxing fans.”
The 34-year-old Kovalev (31-2-1, 27 KOs) will defend his WBO light heavyweight title against former Russian amateur teammate Igor Mikhalkin in the main event March 3.
We got the one of my titles back and two more like a bonus💪🏼😀👍🏼
Thanks to all my team,fans for support and haters to push me to get success 👊🏼#krusher#kovalev#крашер#Ковалёвpic.twitter.com/oiQwv23HsI— Sergei Kovalev (@KrusherKovalev) November 30, 2017
Mikhalkin (21-1, 9 KOs), a southpaw, owns the IBO light heavyweight title, yet isn’t well-known among American boxing fans.
“I was disappointed that I didn’t get this fight,”
Kovalev said, “that this fight didn’t happen with Barrera, he was my desired opponent for the next fight. But boxing is boxing. He chose Bivol over us.”
“I already forgot about this situation because I’m looking forward to my next fight against Igor Mikhalkin.
I need one more fight to show to the people that I can fight with the best fighters.”
Good luck to @RealMiguelCotto on his last fight in his incredible boxing career 🥊
He gifted a lot of interesting fights time us👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/zNKZdZxrqi— Sergei Kovalev (@KrusherKovalev) December 3, 2017
“I think that after this fight, my fights will be with strong opponents in the light heavyweight division.”
“I don’t wanna see behind the back of Igor Mikhalkin because now my fight is March 3rd and I should be focused on this fight. I’m doing this.”
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