Press Release
Ft. Lauderdale, FL: WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev is truly under the microscope as he prepares to defend his title against Cedric “L.O.W.” Agnew on March 29th at the Ballroom at Boardwalk Hall live on HBO Boxing After Dark. For the past two days HBO cameras have filmed “Krusher” at his training camp in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Although this is the third time Sergey will appear on HBO Boxing After Dark, it is his first appearance in the main event. As a result, this is Kovalev’s first experience with a camera crew there to record his every move.
Previously, the undefeated Russian has not been subjected to this level of media attention. While he remained fairly anonymous in his adopted country, signs of his increasing fame are everywhere. For example, a billboard for the event hangs near the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel. Numerous press appearances have already begun, including one on ESPN.com’s Making the Rounds on March 4th.
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| Billboard at Lincoln Tunnel Entrance
Photo Courtesy of HBO |
And of course the press has been consumed with the possibility of a match-up between Kovalev and Adonis Stevenson down the road.
In the midst of so much unfamiliar attention in the run up to his second title defense, questions linger about whether or not “Krusher” can stay hungry and stay focused. According to Main Events’ CEO Kathy Duva, “Once a fighter becomes more comfortable with his status as a world champion, some can be tempted to lose focus and get distracted by all the attention. He can’t always walk down the street without being recognized anymore, but luckily Sergey has managed to stay focused on Agnew and winning on March 29th.”
According to Kovalev’s trainer, John David Jackson, “Sergey is on course. He is a really hard worker. He is definitely training hard for this fight. He is doing what he is supposed to do.” When asked whether or not the cameras were affecting Sergey’s ability to concentrate in camp, Jackson replied, “He probably loves it. They stay out of our way so it is just like any other training camp.” Kovalev also assured that he is not distracted by the cameras. “I am already used to them being there. They don’t bother me at all.”
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| “Krusher” Kovalev Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events |
“Krusher” will face a tough challenger in the undefeated Agnew. As he heads into the fight of his life, Agnew has exhibited incredible confidence that he can stand toe-to-toe with the “Russian Wrecking Ball.” Jackson elaborated, “The key to this fight for Sergey is to be more strategic offensively. There isn’t much film on Agnew but we are approaching this fight like we do all the others. Sergey will do his thing.” According to Kovalev, “I feel good. Everything is normal. I feel no pressure and everything is going by the book.”
About March 29th:
March 29th features the WBO Light Heavyweight World Title showdown between Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (23-0-1, 21KOs) and Cedric Agnew (26-0-0, 13 KOs) from the Ballroom at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic, City, NJ. The broadcast will begin live on HBO Boxing After Dark at 10:00 PM ET/PT with the Thomas Dulorme vs. Karim Mayfield co-feature. The event is presented by Main Events in association with Caesars Atlantic City. Tickets are on sale now through TicketMaster online at www.ticketmaster.com or via phone (800) 736-1420. Fans can also contact Main Events for tickets at (973) 200-7050. Ticket prices are $26, $51, $77 and $152. Doors will open at 6:30 PM ET. Undercard bouts will be announced shortly.
For fight updates go to www.mainevents.com, www.CaesarsAC.com, www.BoardwalkHall.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing, www.facebook.com/CaesarsAtlanticCity, www.facebook.com/BoardwalkHall or www.facebook.com/HBOboxing and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Main_Events, https://twitter.com/CaesarsAC, https://twitter.com/BoardwalkHall and https://twitter.com/HBOboxing.
About Caesars Entertainment:
Caesars Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest casino entertainment company. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, more than 70 years ago, Caesars has grown through development of new resorts, expansions and acquisitions, and now operates casinos on four continents. The company’s resorts operate primarily under the Harrah’s®, Caesars® and Horseshoe® brand names. Caesars also owns the World Series of Poker® and the London Clubs International family of casinos. Caesars Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its guests through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. Caesars is committed to environmental sustainability and energy conservation and recognizes the importance of being a responsible steward of the environment. For more information, please visit www.caesars.com.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Media):
MAIN EVENTS: Ellen Haley- 973-903-6715, ehaley@mainevents.com
HBO: Kevin Flaherty – 212-512-5052, Kevin.Flaherty@hbo.com
CAESARS: Jerry Eisenband, jeisenband@harrahs.com
BOARDWALK HALL: Zack Lloyd, zlloyd@global-spectrum.com
