Sergey Kovalev To Face Blake Caparello Aug. 2

Sergey Kovalev is a certified badass, a terminator type with pop in both hands, and the possessor of a sincere desire to separate his foe’s head from his shoulders every minute of every round.

Getting opponents for him in the last year or so is getting harder, but Main Events has managed to get someone to sign on the dotted line to fight the 24-0-1 (22 KOs; age 31) Russian, on August 2, at Revel in Atlantic City.

Aussie lefty Blake Caparello (19-0, with 6 KOs; age 27), promoted by Lou DiBella, has been chomping at the bit to get this opportunity, and it has been granted.

HBO will televise this scrap, as part of a tripleheader, on a “Boxing After Dark.” Two of the BAD fights will unfold in las Vegas.

Promoter DiBella told TSS that he thinks his kid has many traits which could prove troubling for the slugger. “It’s a tough fight, he took it for very low money, but he’s wanted this fight since before I signed him,” DiBella said. “He’s not a big puncher, but unless you’re a very good puncher with one-punch type of power, you won’t beat Kovalev…the kind of guy who can beat him is a guy who can really box.” Caparello can and will jab, move, be busy, throw more than the light heavy average, and will land a lot, said DiBella. “He’s been dying for this fight.

“I think he will be competitive. Cedric Agnew didn’t throw punches but he showed (in his fight against Kovalev on March 29, a KO7 win) that if you can box and move you can hang with Kovalev. And Blake is a much better boxer than Agnew.

“He’s not getting rich on it, he needs to win to get where wants to be,” DiBella continued.

Caparello’s desire to have this fight get made says something to his promoter. “If I’m a fighter, Kovalev is not a guy I’m screaming to fight, but if confidence means anything I give this kid a great chance. His trainer wanted it badly too..I think some people will think they are out of their minds,” he continued, chuckling.

DiBella said his kid didn’t earn rave reviews fighting on ESPN Jan. 31, but he showed he can win every minute of every round, and a complete grasp of fundamentals against Elvir Muriqi (UD10 win.) Teddy Atlas, DiBella said, stated that he’d like to see more of the Aussie on that night, and graded him a B plus.

Dibella knows Kovalev is a tough nut to crack and isn’t venturing too far out onto the limb, but he does think his guy will offer solid competition, and could perhaps pull off a shocker upset.

I checked in with Caparello, and he told me, “Go against the trend, Mike, and back Caparello, I’m gonna shock everyone! I’m very sure of myself. I will eliminate his power.”

I wondered, does he have to box a masterpiece to beat Krusher? “I’m going to box a matserpiece,” he declared.

Here is the official release sent out by Main Events:

Krusher Returns to Atlantic City August 2 to Defend his WBO Light Heavyweight World Title

Atlantic City, NJ: Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (24-0-1, 22 KOs), the undefeated Russian Wrecking Ball, returns to HBO Boxing After Dark and Atlantic City onAugust 2nd to defend his WBO Light Heavyweight World 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.

“Krusher”

Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events

“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.”

Kovalev vs. Agnew

Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events

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.”

“Il Capo”

Photo Courtesy of DiBella Entertainment

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.”

Blake Caparello

Photo Courtesy of  DiBella Entertainment

About Kovalev vs. Caparello : The WBO Light Heavyweight World Championship between Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev, (24-0-1, 22 KOs) and Blake “Il Capo” Caparello (19-0-1, 6 KOs) is onSaturday, August 2nd at Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic, City, NJ. The fight will be telecast as part of a split-site triple-header on HBO Boxing After Darkbeginning at 9:45 PM ET/PT. The event is presented by Main Events in association with DiBella Entertainment. Ticket information will be released shortly.

WATCH RELATED VIDEOS ON BOXINGCHANNEL.TV