by Elisinio Castillo
This past Saturday night in Texas, Sergey Kovalev became a light heavyweight champion for a third time when he won a twelve round unanimous decision over Eleider Alvarez to capture the WBO title.
Last August, Alvarez pulled off one of the most shocking victories of the year when he dropped Kovalev three times to score a knockout in the seventh round.
In the rematch, Alvarez was not very active as Kovalev outworked him and outboxed him in most of the rounds.
Alvarez admits that he was too focused on trying to secure a knockout that never came.
"It was not my night, I admit that I tried to knock him out, that was my plan, but things did not work out," Alvarez said to The Colombian. "I wanted to end it before the twelfth round, but it didn't happen."
"I have a few weeks of rest that will allow me to talk with my coaches and managers to see what is the best way forward."
Obviously, Alvarez wants another crack at Kovalev - to settle things with a trilogy fight.
"I want to face him again. I already won one and he won the other," Alvarez said.
"I have to make it very clear, that first I plan to continue in boxing because I am 34 years old and it is not yet time for my retirement; and second, that I have proven that I can be a champion again."
Main Events CEO Kathy Duva, who promotes Kovalev, recently stated that a trilogy fight with Alvarez was likely not on the cards as the rematch lacked the fireworks of the first contest. Because of the lack of drama, there is very little demand for a third bout.
But, Duva could see a third fight taking place if Alvarez manages to win a world title - since Kovalev wants to unify the weight class.
2023-10-22 17:54:32
