The Mayweather/Pacquiao mania has drowned out a set of big fights that would have otherwise made the headlines. Here is a recap of the major fights that have occurred in the past months.
Sergey Kovalev vs. Jean-Thenistor Pascal
Kovalev, with his tremendous punching power, has established himself as the most feared man in the light heavyweight division. Fans have come to expect him to deliver a knockout everytime he steps into the ring. On March 14, when he entered the ring with Pascal, it was no different. Many critics predicted that Pascal would prove a challenge to Kovalev. But from the start of the bell, it was a slugfest. Kovalev came blazing with full force and Pascal courageously exchanged fire with fire. Kovalev, however, was able to control the fight with his aggression and assert his power on Pascal. In round 3, Pascal went down from a shot to his head. Pascal did get wobbled, but he showed signs of recovery in round 5 and 6 as he timed Kovalev with several clean counter rights. In the end, Kovalev’s power was too much for Pascal, and the referee had to stop the fight in round 8. With this victory, Kovalev improved his undefeated record to 27 and 0 and moved up in pound-for-pound ranking to number 10 on the list. Pascal halfheartedly accepted the loss because he and his trainer Roy Jones, Jr. believed that the stoppage came too soon. Later after the fight, Pascal also remarked that he was going to knock out Kovalev. Kovalev maintained that he was open to a rematch but not before he could unify the weight division and face the Superman, Adonis Stevenson.
With this victory, the prospect of Kovalev getting into the ring with Stevenson has increased significantly. Kovalev’s chin was tested against Pascal, but Pascal is no Stevenson. His power is second to none. That’s why fans have been clamoring for that matchup for over a year. When Kovalev fought Caparello, he was knocked down, and with Stevenson’s unorthodox style, the fight becomes that much more compelling.
Jhonny González vs. Gary Russell, Jr.
Following his loss to Lomachenko, Gary Russell, Jr. went on to fight Christopher Pena. Just after one fight, Russell, Jr. was able to earn a title shot against Gonzalez. The fight was one-sided. Russell landed his left early in the fight and knocked Gonzalez down in round 3. Gonzalez never fully recovered, and Russell set a TKO victory in round 4.
Lucas Matthysse vs. Ruslan Provodnikov
In what looks like a match made in heaven, Matthysse and Provodnikov are set to take the stage on April 18. There can be no doubt that this will be a highly entertaining bout. Both fighters have tremendous power, both fighters like to go toe to toe, and both fighters have a solid chin. Whether this fight will go the distance, one cannot tell, but the drama and fire will definitely light up Turning Stone Resort Casino on April 18.
