Boxing in 2019: Top 5 bouts to kickstart the new year

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 19: Manny Pacquiao (L) and Adrien Broner face off during a press conference at Gotham Hall in preparation for their upcoming match on November 19, 2018 in New York City. The match is set to take place on January 19, 2019 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

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ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – AUGUST 04: Sergey Kovalev hits Eleider Alvarez during the WBO/IBA Light Heavyweight Title bout at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on August 4, 2018, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Eleider Alvarez vs. Sergey Kovalev (Saturday, Feb. 2 on ESPN)

After losing via TKO to Andre Ward in 2017, Sergey Kovalev (32-3-1, 28 KOs) appeared to get his act together regaining a light heavyweight world title in the process. Then he stepped into the ring against Eleider Alvarez (24-0, 12 KOs).

Kovalev boxed well against Alvarez for the first six rounds of their fight in August of 2018, but the bout took a surprising turn in the seventh. Alvarez, who isn’t known as a power puncher, erupted landing furious shots on Kovalev that floored him three times. Kovalev stayed down on the final knockdown giving Alvarez a shocking victory.

Kovalev was expected to defeat Alvarez, but Alvarez proved to be a tough challenge. At 35 years old, Kovalev may be done, but he has one more chance to demonstrate that he has something left in the tank.

ESPN’s Feb. 2 fight card also features some interesting fights and boxers. The main prelim bout is between destructive lightweight prospect Teofimo Lopez (11-0, 9 KOs) and Diego Magdaleno (31-2, 13 KOs). Lopez is coming off of a Knockout of the Year performance against Mason Menard.

Other big names on the card are WBA featherweight champion Oscar Valdez (24-0, 19 KOs) and lightweight contender Richard Commey (27-2, 24 KOs). Commey fights Isa Chanlev for the vacant IBF lightweight title. There’s a good chance that this night sets up a meeting between Lopez and Commey shortly.

There is a high probability that there will be multiple knockouts on this night which is why you don’t want to miss this event.

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