Los Angeles, CA - In the main event, fighting in his first fight as a cruiserweight and coming off a 31-month layoff, three time light heavyweight world champion Sergey Kovalev, (35-4-1, 29 KOs), won a dominant ten-round unanimous decision over the previously undefeated Tervel Pulev, (16-1, 13 KOs). Scores were 98-92 twice and 97-93.
Working behind his trademark piston-like jab, Kovalev would control the majority of the action throughout the fight against the frustrated Pulev. The middle rounds saw him utilize heavy handed combinations to batter the valiant Pulev who did his best to counter.
Trainer Buddy McGirt exhorted Kovalev between rounds to stick to the game plan and use the proper distance when working off the jab which his charge followed perfectly towards the wide decision.
Kovalev did feel some rust and wants to be far more active in the coming months. He wants to have at least two more ring appearances before the year is out – with a world title shot.
“I’m just going to keep in shape after this fight, we’ll rest one week and then get back in the gym. I worried how it was going to be in the fight, of course there was some ring rust. Without boxing at a high level for over a year, my body doesn’t like this. I want to fight every three or four months,” Kovalev said.
“The plan was just to use the jab and distance. But I felt like I didn’t have enough energy in my body. I think in my next fight, it would be at a higher level. Give me one more fight, and I’ll be ready for a world title opportunity.”