Light Heavyweight Star Sergey Kovalev speaks to Real Combat Media
Interview with Sergey Kovalev
By: Pattee Mak
New York, NY (May 9th, 2013)– Light heavyweight Sergey Kovalev’s last fight was of no surprise that he was victorious by a TKO victory back on January 19, 2013 when he squared off against Gabriel Campillo at Mohegan Sun. It was a scheduled for 10 rounds but Kovalev only need 3 rounds to do what he does best, knocking out his opponent. Next up for Kovalev is Cornelius “Da Beast” White (21-1-0) of Houston, Texas.
Presently Kovalev has a promotional deal with Main Events. This will be his 22nd fight. Almost all his fights were by KO, 18 to be exact. He has 0 losses and 1 draw. He’s a powerful knockout artist. He is the WBC Asian Boxing Council light heavyweight champ. He’s ranked #6 by the WBC, #7 by the WBO, #1 by the NABO and #4 by the IBF. All in the light heavyweight division. Very impressive!!! And I am excited to say I’ll be watching his next fight live on NBC, June 14, 2013. This bout will be a 12 round mandated bout for the vacant number 1 position in the IBF light heavyweight world rankings. Currently White is ranked #5 by the IBF.
Pattee Mak: Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. I understand your fight is only a short time away. Tell me are you training in Russia or the United States?
Kovalev: I’m in Russia at the moment waiting for my passport to be stamped with US visa from United States Embassy. I’m doing conditioning training here and planning to go to USA sometimes next week to start doing more boxing training and sparing.
Pattee Mak: Are there any differences between training in Russia vs. the U.S.?
Kovalev: When I train I do not think about better or worse, I just train. I like America a lot, but I like Russia also, it is my Country and my home.
Pattee Mak: What will be your strategy going into the ring?
Kovalev: My strategy will be very simple, to punch my opponent as much as I can.
Pattee Mak: And you do that quite well.
Pattee Mak: What do you know about White?
Kovalev: I know couple of things for fact about him, one is what he is training and preparing for fight and second he will be in front of me in our next fight trying to win.
Pattee Mak: How did this fight come about?
Kovalev: My manager called me and told we are fighting on June 14th. Also he told me we are fighting Cornelius White. How did it come about? I think because I beat Campillo and my promoter excited to put me back in the ring.
Pattee Mak: How do you rate White as a fighter?
Kovalev: I am not in a ranking business, I am a fighter. But in my opinion any fighter wants and hopes to win any bout, it is a dangerous sport for all of us fighters. White is rated # 5 in IBF. I think he was not rated just because, he was rated for reason. He is strong and technical fighter.
Pattee Mak: Tell me about your amateur boxing days. Your record, belts, etc etc.
Kovalev: Track record in the amateur boxing ring:
World-class athlete in boxing, a member of the Russian national team in 1998-2009.
The winner of the first youth-va-1997 Russia.
Silver medalist youthful first-va-1998 Russia.
The winner of the first youth-va-1999 Russia.
Member of youthful first-va-Europe 1999.
The winner of the qualifying tournament for the first-woo World Juniors 2000.
2-time silver medalist lane Islands Russian Championships 2000-2001.
Silver medalist Russia 2004.2008.
Champion of Russia 2005.
World Championship silver medalist in the military in 2006.
2-time World Champion in the military, 2005 and 2007.
2-time winner of the match between Russia and USA in 2008.
Multiple champion of international tournaments class “A”.
Pattee Mak: Who would you adventually like to fight?
Kovalev: I would like to fight anyone who is higher in ranking what I am or any Champion in light heavy weight division.
Pattee Mak: I last saw you at the Dib vs. Gravovich match up at Foxwoods, CT. Were you there showing support for your friend or did you help him in any way leading up to this fight?
Kovalev: Evgeny is my good friend and we have same manger only different promoter, even with a different promoters we still one team. Everyone from our team was trying to help and to support Evgeny to win this bout, including me.
Pattee Mak: Just a few months ago, a meteor hit your hometown of Chelyabinsk in Russia. Are your friends and family still recovering from the meteor or are they safe and sound?
Kovalev: Thanks to God nobody from my family or my friends was suffering from this incident. So, they are OK.
Pattee Mak: Back in November, 2011 you fought Roman Simakov (19-1-1) for the WBC Asian Boxing Council light heavyweight Title. You were victorious by TKO. Will this belt be put on the line anytime soon?
Kovalev: I am going to leave these decisions to my team, my promoter “Main Events” and my manager Egis Klimas. I am sure they know what they are doing, I am a fighter and I will fight anyone or for any title will be arrange by my team. I am not a picky guy and I would like to fight the best, I strongly believe only fighting the best fighters you can become the best.
Pattee Mak: In your Russian language, what do you want to say to your fans?
Kovalev: Я хочу пожелать всем моим фанатам крепкого здоровья и интереснейших боев с моим участием еще долгие годы!
Pattee Mak: I’m looking forward to watching you fight once again on June 14. Should anyone have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me below or on facebook/twitter at Pattee Mak.
Kovalev: Looking forward for this bout and hope it will be good one. You can always can contact me, or drop a question via my web site https://www.facebook.com/kovalboxer and http://kovalboxer.com. Thanks to all of you!!! Keep tuned on June 14th NBC Sport Network.
Tickets can be purchased through Peltz Boxing-www.peltzboxing.com (215-765-0922) and at all Ticketmaster outlets-www.Ticketmaster.com (800-745-3000) and at the Sands Casino www.SandsEventCenter.com. In Bethlehem, tickets are available at Deja Brew, Inc., 101 West 4th Street (610-865-2739) and at Pronto Insurance Notary, 232 East 3rd Street (610-419-6790). This bout is subject to change and the above interview was via email. Photo by Craig Eagleson.
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