By Andy Clark
Russian Sergey Kovalev made light work of Nathan Cleverly’s unbeaten record, capturing the WBO light-heavyweight title in 4 savage, one-sided rounds.
The intense atmosphere at the Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, was silenced in emphatic fashion, as Kovalev knocked Cleverly down twice in the third, before forcing the stoppage early in the 4th round.
Kovalev came into the ring favourite to beat Cleverly on enemy soil and proved exactly why so many favoured the heavy hitting Russian.
The first round started with Cleverly attempting to gain the centre of the ring, but he soon found that was not the place he wanted to be. Kovalev landed hard and often, as Cleverly only had minimal success with his jab. The round ended with Kovalev clearly one round up.
Round two was again dominated by Kovalev, even though Cleverly managed to cut his opponent above his right eye. Kovalev had success to both the body and head of Cleverly and was two rounds to the good going into the third.
Kovalev dominated the third and with one minute remaining landed an excellent three punch combination to rock the champion. Kovalev proceeded to hammer Cleverly with vicious hooks. With Cleverly covering up and unstable on his feet, the barrage continued until Cleverly stumbled to the floor.
Cleverly made it to his feet but Kovalev didn’t let up. Kovalev pounced back on Cleverly, landing hard shots to the head as all Cleverly could do was try to cover up. Kovalev’s accumulation of punches sent Cleverly down for a second time and this time Cleverly was badly hurt.
Cleverly somehow managed to avoid serious damage as referee Terry O’Connor allowed the fight to continue for the final few seconds. The questionable refereeing didn’t end there as the referee virtually carried Cleverly into his corner at the end of the round.
The fight continued for twenty four seconds into the fourth round before the referee finally waived an ended to the contest.
Kovalev’s record improves to 22-0-1 (20 KO’s) with eighteen stoppages coming within the first three rounds. Cleverly’s record falls to 26-1 (12 KO’s). Up next for Main Events Kathy Duva, (Kovalev’s promoter) is a meeting with HBO on Monday, to discuss a deal for her prize asset.
