Eleider Alvarez (23-0-0, 11 KOs), will finally get his chance to fight a championship fight. The Colombian has a scheduling fight with the current WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev of Russia (32-2-1, 28 KOs) at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, on August 4.
Alvarez has been the mandatory challenger to the WBC title that Adonis Stevenson has held since November 2015, since he defeated Issac Chilemba in a playoff final. However, for many reasons, both boxers never took part in a fight against each other in a ring.
Rather than waiting for a shock against Stevenson, Alvarez said he will not hesitate to accept an offer (submitted by the promoter Kathy Duva) to fight Kovalev.
“I am extremely happy. I said yes as soon as I received the offer! I waited so long to get a fight for a world title. I do not want to hear anything about Adonis Stevenson anymore,” Alvarez said.
“My focus is on Sergey Kovalev! I am really motivated, and it will be a huge fight against a very high level opponent. Kovalev is currently seen as the best fighter in the division. I’ve always wanted to run a world title fight to show my talent, and now I’m going to get this opportunity.” Alvarez added.
Alvarez knows he will have a big challenge ahead of him, but he believes his skills will give him a third career loss to Kovalev. Kovalev has lined up two victories, since his two online failures conceded by former champion Andre Ward.
“I know it will be a tough fight for me, but I will work hard to become world champion. This is my dream. I am a boxer who likes challenges and who is at my best when I have a big challenge in front of me.” Alvarez said.
Sergey Kovalev is to defend his WBO title against Eleider Alvarez at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. (Source:www.boxingscene.com)
“I will now get what I want. Kovalev is a strong fighter, with a good jab, a good technique, and he bangs hard. But my coach knows him very well! No doubts, I’m going to defeat Kovalev to become WBO Champion!” he added.
The WBC has instead sanctioned for the 34-year-old boxer two more playoff fights, against Romanian Lucian Bute and Quebecer Jean Pascal.
