Photo by Ed Mulholland
HBO’s Boxing After Dark got off to an exciting start with Sergey Kovalev knocking out Ismayl Sillakh in a mere two rounds.
Before the start of the night, both marquee names–Adonis Stevenson and Kovalev–seemed to be on a collision course to face each other and settle who is the best–and hardest hitting–Light Heavyweight in the world.
Kovalev lived up to his part of the bargain by handling a highly regarded fighter like Sillakh rather easily.
After knocking out the previously unbeaten Nathan Cleverly in his last bout, Kovalev continued to prove he is one of—if not the—best Light Heavyweight in the world.
After dispensing of Sillakh, Kovalev told Max Kellerman that he wants Adonis.
While it took a little bit longer than Kovalev’s destruction of Sillakh, Adonis Stevenson eventually made Tony Bellew feel his power in the main event and took the challenger out in Round 6.
Before the fight in the locker room, HBO commentator Jim Lampley said that Bellew had asked the ref to give him a fighting chance, even if he were to be knocked down by Stevenson.
Bellew said he knew that his career was on the line and that he wanted to go down fighting.
Great words, but that’s not exactly how Bellew fought. He did more backing up than anything and it was only a matter of time before Stevenson found the range to land big shots.
The referee did allow Bellew to continue after the first knockdown in Round 6, but it wasn’t long before he was out on his feet, which made the referee stop the bout at the 1:50 mark.
In the post-fight interview, Stevenson didn’t seem eager to take on Kovalev next, telling Max Kellerman:
If HBO puts the money, I don’t have a problem. If the money is right, no problem. Right now, Quebec wants Carl Froch and Bernard Hopkins.
As I said before night’s action, Kovalev should be favored against Stevenson if they face off next and he legitimately looked like the best Light Heavyweight in the world tonight on HBO’s Boxing After Dark.
If Adonis Stevenson faces Sergey Kovlev next, who would you favor?
