Sergey Kovalev reveals what he learned from losses to Andre Ward

WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev talked about his upcoming fight with Eleider Alvarez and his career.

During his nine-year professional career, Sergey Kovalev (32-2-1, 28 KOs) has experienced a little bit of everything. He came to the U.S. with nothing and fought his way to the top of the light heavyweight division. He reigned as the champion for three years, defeating a legend in the process, and it all came crashing down when he tasted defeat twice in a row. That could have been the end for Kovalev, but redemption guides his current path.

On Saturday, Aug. 4 (HBO; 10 p.m.), Kovalev defends his WBO light heavyweight title against unbeaten Eleider Alvarez (23-0, 11 KOs). Despite Alvarez’s unblemished record, he comes into the fight as a four to one underdog. With the odds in his favor, it would be easy for the veteran Kovalev to look past Alvarez, but he’s not taking any chances.

“For me, he’s [Alvarez] a top rank fighter,” Kovalev told FanSided. “He’s one of the best fighters in my division. This Saturday, for me, will be a big test because he’s undefeated and very motivated. He’s hungry for fights, for victories. I need to be ready for everything he’ll bring.”

Kovalev’s 35 years old and is in the twilight of his career. Age is a natural enemy to a boxer and Kovalev is doing everything in his power to limit its impact on his performance.

“When I was 20 years old I could do one workout a week and beat everybody. I’m spending more time in the gym and get more focused for training camps,” said Kovalev. “I drink clear water only—no sugar, no sweet drinks, just healthy food. Right now I’m feeling great.”

Kovalev is 100 percent focused and dedicated to the sport of boxing, but that wasn’t always the case. He dominated the light heavyweight division for three years and beat everybody in his path. Kovalev was regarded as the best light heavyweight in the world, and then Andre Ward moved up in weight.

Kovalev lost his first fight to Ward in 2016 by a close unanimous decision. All three judges scored the bout 114-113 in Ward’s favor. The result is final but controversial. Kovalev dropped Ward in the second round and controlled the action for the first half of the fight. Ward bounced back and performed well for the second half. That was enough to sway the judges in Ward’s favor.

The second fight was a different story. Kovalev was thoroughly outboxed and never in the match. Ward’s body punches took their toll on Kovalev, and the referee stopped the bout in the eighth. Suffering back-to-back losses could have ended Kovalev’s career. Kovalev revealed to FanSided that the first fight hurt him mentally.

“I was broke mentally, and my emotions pushed me to get a rematch, but I wasn’t ready for [a] rematch,” said Kovalev candidly. “But what happened has happened, and I’m happy that life gave me [a] big lesson, that I should be focused on my boxing career if I want to be a great champion.”

In truth, losing to Ward a second time may have saved Kovalev’s career. The toughest thing for a fighter to do is to move on from a loss. Some never recover psychologically. There’s a long list of boxers that cruised through careers successfully, then abruptly fell to defeat never to regain their former glory. Kovalev didn’t want his losses to Ward to define him.

Instead, he learned from his losses to Ward. Kovalev took a hard look at himself and admitted that he wasn’t trying his hardest.

“During my first time as a champion, I went like an amateur,” said Kovalev. “I spent a lot of time at parties between my fights. I didn’t work out, and I didn’t maintain my body like an athlete.”

It took falling to Ward for Kovalev to realize that pride had come before the fall. He doesn’t want to fall again and is doing everything in his power to prevent a repeat of his second performance against Ward.

“Right now, the next chapter of my boxing career has more experience, more lessons, more tactical ideas,” said Kovalev.

While reflecting on his work ethic, Kovalev decided more change was needed. He lost faith in his relationship with former trainer John David Jackson and parted ways with him after his second loss to Ward. Jackson was vocal about his split with Kovalev, telling Boxing News Magazine, “I think people deserve to know the truth about our partnership going wrong, but it wasn’t the most perfect relationship to begin with.”

Kovalev didn’t go into detail about his relationship with Jackson but simply said, “I work with my coach [Arbor Tursunpulatov]. We are together. Last time [during] my championship time, I went alone.”

For whatever the reason, it seems like Kovalev and Jackson realize that their collaboration wasn’t the best fit. Kovalev is comfortable with his current trainer, Arbor Tursunpulatov, and the relationship is fruitful. Kovalev relies on Tursunpulatov for creating fight strategies, and he’s helped Kovalev plan for Alvarez.

“We built the strategy together with, Arbor Tursunpulatov, who is my coach,” said Kovalev. “We have some plans. You can have a lot of plans, but all plans can be over by [the] first punch. We should be ready for everything he’ll bring.”

Since his last loss to Ward, Kovalev’s riding a two-fight winning streak. He won both wins by technical knockout. He needs a win against Alvarez if he wants to achieve his ultimate goal of being the undisputed light heavyweight champion. Kovalev revealed this goal during a media conference call two weeks ago.

At 35 years old, time is working against Kovalev, but he thinks getting all four titles can soon be a reality.

“This goal I’ll get next year, but who knows?” said Kovalev. “Only God knows. We just do our job perfectly. Right now, I fight for my goals, for my dreams with God’s blessing. I hope everything will happen next year.”

If Kovalev gets by Alvarez, it’s anticipated that his next fight will be against WBA champion Dmitry Bivol. Bivol is fighting on the undercard of the Kovalev/Alvarez fight. He stated two weeks ago that he expects to face Kovalev soon.

Kovalev has a history of bad blood with WBC champion Adonis Stevenson, but he doesn’t think a fight can be made between them.

“I’m not interested in what’s happening in the WBC because they’re with Stevenson, and I don’t see opportunities to fight with this guy because Stevenson avoided me a lot of times,” stated Kovalev.

Stevenson fought to a draw with Badou Jack in May. Kovalev is fed up with Stevenson and Stevenson’s failure to agree to meet him in the ring. When asked about Stevenson’s performance against Jack, Kovalev said, “I don’t care at all. F@#k him.”

Kovalev is refocused and re-dedicated to his career. His two losses to Ward provided him with the motivation he needs to be his best. Ward may have saved the longevity of Kovalev’s career. Alvarez stands in his way, but Kovalev is determined to conquer the light heavyweight division.