HBO Boxing: Sergey Kovalev vs. Nadjib Mohammedi – A Closer Look

Foto por Herbert DIaz

This weekend’s HBO boxing presentation will showcase a “David vs. Goliath” type of event from inside the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Sin City. Playing the role of the heavy favorite, 99-1 according to odds makers, is undefeated champion Sergey Kovalev taking on the challenger, Nadjib Mohammedi . This 175-pound title fight marks the first time in both men’s careers that they headline a show from the Vegas desert. A step closer towards boxing immortality since anyone from the hardcore followers to casual viewers in the boxing community can confirm that you are not truly a superstar until your name is mightily illuminated by bright lights peppered somewhere along the Las Vegas strip. Does the famous Biblical story in its latest boxing incarnation come to life via the hands of “David” Mohammedi or does “Goliath” Kovalev put a new twist on an old favorite?

Foto por Herbert DIaz

Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (27-00-01 w/24 KOs) turned pro back on July 25^th, of 2009 so this clash showcases his great accomplishments in such short time. He enters the ring for his first Las Vegas main event as not only a substantial favorite but also personifies the biggest betting line disparity in boxing this year. (Its predecessor came in the form of 80-1 favorite and unbeaten heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder, who defeated Eric Molina via KO a few months. With these types of lopsided odds one would think that the man known as “The Krusher” has this one in the bag as he aims to make good on his 6^th WBO World Light Heavyweight title defense while simultaneously defending the WBA and IBF versions of that championship for the second time. But, this is boxing so stranger things and upsets have happened.

The undefeated Russian is going down in history nonetheless, for unifying the light heavyweight titles late last year against living legend, Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins.  He won the battle via clear cut unanimous decision victory, coincidentally only the third time in his entire professional career that Kovalev has gone the distance.

Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events

Defiant underdog Nadjib Mohammedi (37-03 w/23 KOs) turned pro back on March 25^th of 2005 working extremely hard for the last decade of his life in the game. He takes center stage inside the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino this Saturday night in search of recreating his own version of the unforgettable “Mike Tyson vs. James Douglas” moment of 1990. While his bout is taking place in Nevada, USA and not Tokyo, Japan the magic of such an infamous day transcends time living forever inside the storied library of boxing echoing throughout its hallways. The powerful Frenchman hasn’t lost a bout since 2011, a stoppage loss at the hands of Dmitry Sukhotsky.  Since then, Mohammedi has strung together a solid 13-fight win streak going the distance only twice during this victorious run.

Not a stranger to championship belts, the former France Light Heavyweight title holder defended his crown successfully 5 times after picking it up in 2008. Then Mohammedi took the EBU-European Union Light Heavyweight belt by force knocking out tough as nails Tomas Adamek via 4^th round TKO in 2010.

With both 175ers bringing a combined 47 knockouts out of 64 triumphs to the squared circle, its painfully obvious that this WBA , IBF and WBO World Light Heavyweight championship title tilt is probably not going to go 12 rounds.  Both men have a finishing ratio of more than 50 percent; Kovalev’s magnificent 86% KO ratio commands respect while Mohammedi’s 58% KO ratio makes you take notice. Both warriors are not impossible to hit when backed up along the ropes or smothered via stiff jabs and short hooks on the inside so this will only make the contest that much more entertaining thanks to a give-and-take feel to it. The question is: which fighter can take more of the other one’s punishment over the course of 36 minutes before dishing out something game changing? The answer shall come in the form of an incredible, come from behind Nadjib Mohammedi upset or another highlight reel finish by the unbeaten KO artist and belt holder, Sergey Kovalev. Either way, fans will be tuning in this weekend to HBO for the live fight from the Mandalay Bay Events Center knowing that one way or another, their jaws will drop.

Does Mohammedi stand a chance of pulling off the upset. Let us know what you think in the comment section.

By: armando romo