Sergey Kovalev-Andre Ward Targeted for Fall 2016
If you were looking forward to seeing Sergey Kovalev back in action in November, be prepared to be disappointed. Kovalev’s Russian homecoming bout is off, apparently due to scheduling conflicts. But now prepare to be excited – but not too much.
HBO’s plan is to guide Kovalev toward a blockbuster affair with Andre Ward in the fall of 2016. Ward would of course have to jump up to Light Heavyweight, and is expected to do so when he features on the Cotto-Canelo undercard – reportedly – on November 21st.
While a potential Kovalev-Ward showdown is marinating, both men would of course be making ring appearances once or twice beforehand next year. As long as they eventually get it on, personally I’m not too fussed what they do in the meantime.
Chris Eubank Jr Meets Tony Jeter on Brook-Chavez Undercard
Chris Eubank Jr, who recently signed with Matchroom Boxing, will be back in action against 39-year-old tune-up opponent Tony Jeter (20-4-1, 14 KO) on the Brook-Chaves card on October 24th. Hey, it’s Eubank’s first fight under Matchroom, what were you expecting?
Eubank (19-1, 14 KO) is one of Britain’s most exciting Middleweights right now, partly due to his heavy-handedness, and also due to his penchant for showboating. So, we can at least expect some crowd-raising behaviour in this one.
If Eubank wins, rumor has it an intriguing bout with Gary O’Sullivan (21-1, 14 KO) awaits on the Joshua-Whyte undercard on December 12th.
Diego Magdaleno Questions Terry Flanagan’s Champ Validity
It’s been said a million times over already, and to be fair to reigning WBO Lightweight champ Terry Flanagan, it’s not his fault.
I’m of course referring to the way he won the title in his 50-50 match-up with Jose Zepeda last June, when Zepeda retired himself after dislocating his shoulder. But Diego Magdaleno (28-1, 12 KO), Flanagan’s weekend opponent, has taken comfort from the facts surrounding that result.
Magdaleno told Boxing News that he’s far from impressed with Flanagan (28-0, 11 KO), and that he will be highly motivated to bring the title home ‘for real’.
“The title was basically given to Flanagan, while I’ve worked for everything,” Magdaleno said. “The fans won’t be in my favor, but I’ll use that as fuel to motivate me.”
Kubrat Pulev Will Face George Arias on October 17th
He’s one of those Heavyweights who doesn’t often enter into boxing fan conversation, but Kubrat Pulev (20-1, 11 KO) is still around and still fighting.
The 34-year-old, who was knocked out by Wladimir Klitschko last November, will be taking on George Arias (56-13, 42 KO) on October 17th in Karlsruhe, Germany. Is this a Heavyweight fight for the ages? Not exactly. But you know…the Heavyweight division is what it is and…well, enough said.
No Fury’s, Klitschko’s, Wilder’s, Joshua’s involved, so moving on.
Daniel Jacobs Spots Holes in Peter Quillin’s Game
Daniel Jacobs will be up against his toughest test to date on December 5th when he faces unbeaten Peter Quillin in Brooklyn, New York. But the WBO Middleweight champ believes he can exploit weaknesses he has noted in Quillin’s game.
“Peter’s flaws are that he loads up his shots too much, is slow on his feet and isn’t headstrong. If I can execute the game plan I think it will be a phenomenal outcome,” Jacobs told Boxing News.
“This is a big opportunity for me. This is a big opportunity for Brooklyn. It could not have happened at a better time. I’ve been calling him out for two years, but it had to take that time to build and for our careers to blossom.”
Chime in with your own thoughts on Kovalev-Ward, Eubank Jr’s Matchroom debut, Quillin-Jacobs, and the rest of today’s boxing news.
