Photo by David Spagnolo
If every act of creation is first an act of destruction, Sergey Kovalev‘s career is an altar built on violence.
A menacing puncher, fittingly dubbed the “Krusher,” Kovalev is unbeaten over 28 fights and 24 of his 27 victories have come within the distance. He has unified three of the four major light heavyweight championship belts and defends his three-fold crown this weekend, July 25, against Nadjib Mohammedi (37-3, 23 KOs), his mandatory challenger at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada (10 p.m. ET/PT on HBO).
By way of Russia and training out of Florida, Kovalev helps lead an Eastern invasion of “Euroblock” talent. His sinister grin—which he’ll often crack open amid exchanges—make him a scary man. His knockout prowess make him the light heavyweight division’s worst nightmare.
His exhilarating knockouts have made him a fan favorite—even a superfight with Andre Ward has been speculated. But this weekend there’s only one man to worry about for Kovalev, that’s the unheralded Mohammedi.
Before that, how does a bit of retrospect sound? These are the three best victories of Kovalev’s career, the three that most helped make him into the star he is today.
