Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (24-0-1, 22 KOs) returns to HBO Boxing After Dark and Atlantic City on August 2nd to defend his title against undefeated Blake “Il Capo” Caparello (19-0-1, 6 KOs) at Revel Casino Hotel.
Kovalev, 31, originally from Chelyabinsk, Russia and now residing in Fort Lauderdale, FL, will defend his WBO title for the third time since taking it by force from Nathan Cleverly in a four round TKO victory in Cleverly’s hometown of Cardiff, Wales on August 17, 2013. Renowned for his ability to knockout anyone who dares to step in the ring with him, Krusher has an astonishing 91% knockout-to-win ratio. This will be his fourth fight on HBO and his second in Atlantic City.
“I am happy to be back in the ring on August 2nd and thanks to HBO for offering us the date. Looking forward to face an unbeaten fighter, I know he will be coming to fight and to take my title away, but it belongs to me and I won’t let that happen,” said Kovalev. “I already started my preparation for this bout and will be ready in good condition when time comes to step into ring.”
“It is great to be back on HBO. It is the best place to showcase Sergey’s talents,” said John David Jackson, Sergey’s trainer. He added, “It is difficult to find an opponent to step in the ring with Sergey. Hopefully this Australian kid can step up to the plate. We are here to put on a show for the public. We know he is going to be a tough opponent but Sergey is up to the challenge.”
Egis Klimas, Kovalev’s manager added, “We can’t wait to see Sergey in the ring again and hope for his victory with his third defense. He is building a fan base in Atlantic City and an audience on HBO. According to ratings on HBO from his last fight, many people want to see him in the ring. I am happy that he is becoming more popular with every bout – not only in Russia, but also here in US.”
Australia’s Caparello, 27, will be the third undefeated opponent who has put their “0” on the line against Kovalev since last August. While Caparello is not known as a knockout artist, he has far more experience in later rounds than the champion. “Il Capo” has gone the distance in 14 out of 20 fights and has been passed the eighth round nine times in his career. Because Kovalev knocked out almost all of his opponents, he has never fought past the eighth. Caparello said, “I would like to thank my promoter DiBella Entertainment, the WBO, Main Events and HBO for giving me this opportunity. I’m ready for this fight, you ain’t seen nothing yet. I won’t disappoint.”
Main Events’ CEO Kathy Duva said, “We would love for Sergey to fight all of the marquee names that have been avoiding him but they’re obviously afraid. So kudos to Caparello for stepping up! Sergey really is a fighter first. He just wants to be in the ring all the time, testing himself against the best. We are very grateful for the support we’ve gotten from HBO for Kovalev and our plan for him is to continue to fight the best opponent who’s willing to get in the ring.”
Lou DiBella, of DiBella Entertainment, Caparello’s promoter added, “Kovalev is one of boxing’s hardest punchers, but Blake Caparello is one of the best pure boxers in the 175 lb. division. This is a classic matchup between boxer and puncher and Blake has the skills to give Kovalev fits.”
Main Events’ matchmaker, Jolene Mizzone, can attest that finding opponents to face Krusher is never easy. She said, “The great thing about matching Sergey is he will fight ANYONE, anytime, anywhere. Caparello is a southpaw boxer who has the ability to outsmart a straight forward-type of puncher like Sergey. Caparello is undefeated and hungry which makes him a dangerous opponent. If Caparello can take Sergey’s power, then he could last longer than people might think.”
