Sergey Kovalev has some choice words for his ex-trainer!
With all the high stakes and competitive match-ups to be made in boxing, there are some that always manage to surprise.
One such bout is the upcoming showdown between WBA world middleweight champion Saul Canelo Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 KO’s) and WBO world light heavyweight champion Sergey “The Krusher” Kovalev (34-3-1, 29 KO’s). The two just held the first official presser for the November 2 bout.
Amongst boxing enthusiasts, most believe that Canelo has selected Kovalev due to the fact that he is declining.
Not to mention the Krusher’s style of combat meshes well with Alvarez’s skillset. Speculation on when and where the Russian’s career would conclude began with his first fight against Andre “SOG” Ward back on November 11, 2016.
In an interview with Fight Hub TV, Kovalev gave his perspective on the tests he has faced throughout his life.
“You know, all life I get some tests, you know. Like, if you have a test this means that God send you this test to improve or check you, how you strong and what you deserve.
“If you go through this test, you will be strong, if not you will be experienced for next test. It’s everything happens for a reason.”
After suffering losses to Ward and Eleider Alvarez (24-1, 12 KO’s), most assumed Kovalev was yesterday’s news.
However, the Krusher thundered back to relevance when he avenged his loss to Alvarez. Shortly after, he would gained even more esteem by handing the undefeated upstart Anthony Yarde his first professional loss.
For many years, up through the bouts with Andre Ward, boxing coach John David Jackson was Kovalev’s chief second.
Up until the matches with Ward, the relationship with Jackson was a seemingly good one. This perception changed quickly during the Ward days.
In between the first and second bout, Jackson’s union with Kovalev soured rapidly behind, and in front of, the camera. By the time of Kovalev’s second bout with Alvarez, he had split ties and retained the service of James McGirt.
Once Kovalev and Jackson were no longer together, the gloves came off and insults openly flew across the media.
Apparently, time has done little to heal any wounds or cool their dispositions. John David Jackson still readily says that Kovalev was egocentric, didn’t listen and had poor training habits.
For Kovalev’s part, he holds to his story that Jackson was a poor trainer and did very little to advance his boxing ability.
Questions regarding Canelo choosing to battle Kovalev would find their way to Kovalev. In particular, one about Jackson’s feelings that Alvarez was targeting the weakest link in the light heavyweight division. The Krusher would keep his biting remarks simple and curt.
“He is just a jealous bitch, I don’t want to speak about him.” ~Sergey Kovalev, WBO light heavyweight champion
It will be fun to see how Canelo v Kovalev plays out in the ring and what strategy McGirt devised to deflate the Mexican darling. The Krusher enjoys an obvious size and reach advantage.
Although, most believe that Alvarez’s fluid defense and steady body attack has a great chance of breaking down and stopping the light heavyweight champion.
By: Bakari Simpson
