Cruiserweight, Sergey Kovalev Defeats Artur Mann in Russia

Editorial By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

On April 18, 2025, former World Light Heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev made what could be his final ring appearance at Yunosk Arena in Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation, scoring a seventh-round stoppage of a game but slower punching Artur Mann.

From the beginning of this bout, Kovalev, 36-5-1 with 30 knockouts, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, by way of Kopeysk, Russian Federation, age 42, used short power punches and head combinations to break down Mann, 22-5 with 13 knockouts, Hannover, Germany, a former IBO Cruiserweight world title challenger.

A short left-hand power shot dropped Mann in the third on a delayed reaction, reeling from the effects of Kovalev’s punching power. Mann did throw some counters, but remained a slow target for most of the bout, enabling Kovalev to win every round on points. Kovalev would eventually stop Mann at 0:49 of the seventh round coming forward with thunderous combinations which the tiring Mann had no answer to.

Kovalev perhaps still has a shot in the cruiserweight division, if he chooses not to retire. However, this bout featuring Kovalev was on Russian territory. Billed as ‘The Last Dance’, Kovalev retired without ever facing the one opponent he wanted in his 16-year professional boxing career. While Kovalev held the WBA, IBF, and WBO world light heavyweight titles at one point in his career, Krusher Kovalev never achieved his goal of becoming an undisputed champion due to his inability to get a fight with the then WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis ‘Superman’ Stevenson. Injury in the ring ended Stevenson’s career without Kovalev versus Stevenson taking place. Kovalev won his final

l bout, though, a distinction many world-class professional boxers never achieve.

Share
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Real Combat Media Boxing since 2013. Robert is also a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State region which includes NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts exclusive interviews, provides historical boxing articles and provides editorial ringside coverage of major boxing events. You can contact or follow Robert on Facebook and by email at [email protected].