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Kovalev: Canelo Alvarez is my biggest fight

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By Ponciano “John” Melo Jr.

posted October 25, 2019 at 01:58 pm

Manila Standard Digital


https://manilastandard.net/sports/sports-headlines/308423/-kovalev-canelo-alvarez-is-my-biggest-fight.html

CALIFORNIA, USA — If you ask Sergey Kovalev, Canelo Alvarez might be his biggest, toughest opponent so far.
That’s despite the Mexican boxing star losing about a couple of inches in the vertical department — and jumping about two weight classes before their fight next month.
The two boxers are set to face each other on November 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for the WBO light heavyweight championship belt.
And if you ask the 36-year-old Kovalev, he doesn’t see himself as the one Canelo took out for a date with destiny in the younger fighter’s quest for a fourth world title belt in four divisions.
“I understand that a lot of people are thinking that I’m the underdog, but the ring will show our skills,” Kovalev told BoxingScene.com.
The current light heavyweight champ doesn’t see this as a one-way fight. In fact, he is pouring his heart out to try and play the spoiler’s role in Canelo being a four-division champ.
“My job is to be in the best shape and bring the best fight. I understand this fight will be dangerous for me and my boxing career,” he added.

The fight on November 2 with the natural middleweight Canelo will be another title defense for the Russian, who is now enjoying a spike in his performance under new trainer Buddy McGirt.
Kovalev, turned the tables on Eleider Alvarez, beating the Colombian after a defeat in their initial fight, reclaiming his WBO championship belt in February this year before defending his title in style via a Round 11 KO over Anthony Yarde.
According to him, he’s the “biggest name in the light heavyweight division” but he respects Canelo even though they’ve had “great opinions of each other” since they met in Big Bear in 2012.
And if he’ll be particularly blunt, this matchup with Canelo (52-1-2, 35 KOs) is a tougher one than versus Ward.
“Of course this will be a tougher fight for me than Andre Ward. Ward was a dirty fighter, he was not a real fighter … If boxing had a division between 175 and 200, I would move up, too. My goal is the same, to defend my titles until I retire,” he said.
“If someone challenges me to a fight, I cannot say no. I’m only training for victory. He’s the best in boxing, and this is my biggest test. I should be ready,” he added.

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BOXING

Francis Nganou vs. Deontay Wilder IS HAPPENING!!?

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Francis Nganou vs. Deontay Wilder IS HAPPENING!!?

An all-time explosive heavyweight boxing match is nearing its deal as UFC heavyweight
world champion Francis Nganou revealed that he is closing in to a Deontay Wilder
boxing match!
The Cameroonian left the MMA scene after a failed contract negotiations and chose a
boxing switch.
He has been very vocal about it and has his eyes on Anthony Joshua and Deontay
Wilder, but the latter is in deeper talks with him.
“Yes, we have had the conversation and at this moment, we’re more closer than with
anybody else,” he said in MMA Hour.
Nganou also predicted a bold on if the fight come into fruition.
“I think somebody will take somebody’s head off. I would just try [for it] not to be mine. I
think that’s probably what’s going to happen.”
Ngannou started boxing training at the age of 22, against his family’s initial opposition.
Ngannou stopped working out after a year of training because of an illness. He worked
a variety of odd jobs to make ends meet until deciding to move to Paris, France, at the
age of 26 in order to pursue a career in boxing. He was imprisoned for two months in
Spain for trespassing after arriving in Europe, though. Ngannou arrived in Paris without
any money, friends, or a place to stay. He first encountered Francis Carmont, who
introduced him to Fernand Lopez and the MMA factory, after he had spent time
homeless on the streets of Paris.
Ngannou, an admirer of Mike Tyson, first wanted to learn how to box; however, Lopez
recognized his potential in MMA and persuaded him to give MMA a try. Ngannou’s MMA
career was launched when Lopez handed him some MMA equipment and free use of
the facility to train and sleep.
With such background, Ngannou will finally has his chance to fight for the sport he first
loved. Will he be able to make a resounding boxing debut or will Deontay “the Bronze
Boomer” will welcome him in the sport in a brutal way he only know how?

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BOXING

Pacquiao eyeing pro boxer comeback says camp

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Pacquiao eyeing pro boxer comeback says camp

Boxing’s only eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao is reportedly considering a comeback to fight in the welterweight division.

MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons revealed the possible move of PacMan on ESPN.

The Filipino icon eyes Conor Benn, a British star, to be his opponent tentatively in June.

He last fought in 2022 against Korean YouTuber DK Yoo in an exhibition fight where he won via unanimous decision after six rounds.

Pacquiao formally announced his retirement to boxing in the same year after he decided to run for the President seat of the Philippines.

He has a pro record 62 wins, eight losses, and two draws, and undeniably one of the greatest ever in the sport of boxing.

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BOXING

Naoya Inoue eyes Stephen Fulton’s unified super bantamweight belts

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A true “monster” as Inoue TKOs Donaire in rematch

After successfully unifying all bantamweights belts to become the undisputed champion, Naoya Inoue is set to conquer another division as he eyes to steal Stephen Fultons’ unified super bantamweight belts on their upcoming May 7 bout in Yokohama, Japan.

Inoue, dubbed as The Monster, has been living up to the hype to continue improving his already impressive career of 24 wins from 21 knockouts and no defeat.

At 29 years old, in the prime of his career, Inoue is now looking to add more belts on his waist and be the new pound-for-pound king. He currently ranks second behind Canelo Alvarez.

Meanwhile, Fulton is not to take lightly as the no. 1 boxer in the super bantamweight class is also unbeaten after 21 fights with eight knockouts.

Interesting to see is how weight will affect Inoue’s performance against Fulton who will be fighting in his own division.

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