Pascal vs Kovalev

[Bonzo]

http://cdn1-www.ringtv.craveonline.com/wp-content/themes/ringtv/images/default-author-image.png Lem Satterfield (http://ringtv.craveonline.com/author/lem) Sergey Kovalev’s camp seeks exception from IBF to face Jean Pascal December 9, 2014


http://cdn1-www.ringtv.craveonline.com/assets/uploads/2014/11/Sergey-Kovalev-vs-Bernard-Hopkins-fukuda.jpgSergey Kovalev (R) on his way to taking the IBF and WBA light heavyweight titles from Bernard Hopkins on Nov. 8, 2014. Photo by Naoki Fukuda.


The handlers of light heavyweight titleholder Sergey Kovalev have applied for an exception with the IBF which, if granted, would allow him to face Jean Pascal in a planned March 14 (http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/367879-deal-reached-for-sergey-kovalev-jean-pascal-on-march-14) bout rather than mandatory challenger Nadjib Mohammedi, IBF Championships Chairman Lindsey Tucker informed RingTV.com on Tuesday.
Kovalev (26-0-1, 23 knockouts), who also holds the WBA and WBO titles, is coming off last month’s unanimous decision over Bernard Hopkins while Pascal (29-2-1, 17 KOs) was briefly in the ring this past Saturday against Roberto Bolonti, resulting in a no-contest (http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/369221-david-lemieux-wows-us-with-his-power-weekend-review).
Tucker said the request from Main Events’ attorney, Pat English, arrived at the IBF’s offices on Monday to organization president Daryl Peoples, who will make a ruling.
“Daryl just got the official request yesterday. He has up to 10 days to issue a ruling. 10 days from yesterday is Dec. 18, 2014,” stated Tucker in an e-mail to RingTV.com. “I can’t predict if the 11 member Board of Directors will grant or deny the request. The whole process could take 10 days.”
Main Events’ CEO Kathy Duva, who handles Kovalev, and Jean Bedard of InterBox, which has Pascal, have been in negotiations for the fight.
“We’re finalizing details this week and I’m sure that we’ll have details by the end of the week but sometimes you just have to wait. They’re still trying to find out what building is available,” said Duva during a Monday interview with RingTV.com. “We absolutely expect to reach a deal by the end of the week.”
Pascal, 32, still is the mandatory challenger to face current RING and WBC champion Adonis Stevenson (24-1, 20 KOs), who is scheduled for a Dec. 19 date with Russian Dmitry Sukhotsky (http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/361827-adonis-stevenson-to-face-dmitry-sukhotsky-on-dec-19) in Quebec City. The Bell Centre in Montreal has been placed on hold on for a potential April 4 showdown with Pascal, according to Stevenson’s promoter, Yvon Michel.

[Bonzo]

http://cdn1-www.ringtv.craveonline.com/wp-content/themes/ringtv/images/default-author-image.png RingTV.com Montreal Bell Centre to host Sergey Kovalev-Jean Pascal fight December 17, 2014


The light heavyweight showdown between WBO/WBA/IBF titleholder Sergey Kovalev and former RING/WBC champ Jean Pascal will take place at the Montreal Bell Centre in Pascal’s adopted hometown of Montreal, the bout’s co-promoters Main Events and InterBox announced on Wednesday.
The bout, which will be televised live on HBO in the U.S., takes place on March 14. Tickets go on sale on the morning of Dec. 20, according to the press release, which also stated that a kick-off press conference for the fight will be held early next week.
Najib Mohammedi, the mandatory contender for the IBF title, agreed to step aside to allow the bigger fight to happen before his shot at Kovalev. He will fight on the Kovalev-Pascal undercard, according to the press release.
“We all intend to start off the New Year with a bang, and Kovalev vs. Pascal will certainly deliver fireworks. Our fans deserve the very best fights, and those are the fights we will concentrate to make,” Jean Bedard, president of InterBox, which represents Pascal, stated in the press release.
“The undercard is yet to be determined, but we are already at work with Main Events to match the best vs. the best. One thing is for sure, our athletes will have to be ready for some major challenges if they want to box on this card.”
Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events, which promotes Kovalev, stated: “I received a very warm welcome in Montreal when I attended Pascal’s last fight at the Bell Centre. I’m excited to return with Sergey and to work with Jean Bedard and his staff at Interbox. I’m sure we will put together the best fight card of the year.”
The press release also mentioned that Kovalev, who scored the biggest victory of his career by shutting out Bernard Hopkins over 12 rounds in November, is back in North America following a brief vacation in his native Russia. He is expected to begin his camp for Pascal very soon.