The final press conference was held today for the August 2 title fight between Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev, 24-0-1, 22 KO’s and Blake “Il Capo” Caparello, 19-0-1, 6 KO’s. Kovalev is putting his WBO Light Heavyweight belt on the line at Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.
The 12-round fight will be the second fight in an HBO Boxing After Dark triple header presentation this Saturday night. The HBO telecast begins at 9:45pm ET/PT.
Sergey Kovalev: “I prepare the same for each fight. I am not a talker, I am a fighter. I want to get in the ring Saturday and win my next fight.”
John David Jackson, Kovalev’s trainer: “Whether it goes 1 or 12 Sergey will do what he always does and that’s destroy.”
Egis Klimas, Kovalev’s manager: “I don’t think he (Kovalev) is going to give to somebody what he has been working so hard to get, his world title. We have been through hell to get to this point. Whoever I put in the ring he will fight. He never asks how big or tall he just asks when is the fight.”
Klimas: “Don’t go for beer and peanuts because you might miss something!”
Kathy Duva, Main Events: “Sergey brings electricity and excitement every time he steps in the ring. It should a great night of fights.”
Duva: “In 1984, Main Events won four world titles. In 1985, I learned that it is easier to win a title than it is to keep it. The pressure that is put on a world champion, especially one as dominant as Sergey, is something that none of us could possibly imagine.”
Blake Caparello: “I am coming to America to beat Sergey. He is a good fighter but I am looking forward to Saturday night.”
Brendan Bourke, Caparello’s manager: “Blake’s in great shape, really confident, and looking forward to the opportunity. We think we have what it takes to pull off an upset.”
Ron Rizzo, DiBella Entertainment: “People weren’t jumping at the opportunity to fight Sergey. Blake’s manager wanted this opportunity and craved the opportunity for this fight.”
Rizzo: “Blake has a calming type of influence, not many things have that type of effect on my boss, Lou DiBella. Blake is well prepared for this opportunity; he is in this position because he wants to become a world champion.”
