Unbeaten Russian-born boxer Sergey Kovalev, 18-0-1, 16 KOs, gets his chance to break out of the light heavyweight pack when he meets Gabriel Campillo, 21-4-1, 8 KOs, in a nationally televised 10-round main event at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, PA on September 21, 2012. Kovalev’s fight will be aired as part of the NBC Sports Network Fight Night series, broadcast will begin at 9PM ET. The opportunity is ripe for Kovalev to make his move and impress the boxing world against Campillo, who lost a recent title challenge to International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Tavoris Cloud by a whisker
With boxing fans still shaking their heads about the controversial decision awarded to Cloud that night, Gabriel Campillo should have much support from rowdy ringsiders and TV viewers alike. So Sergey Kovalev has the chance to surprise everyone, including his seasoned foe. The best part is that the unbeaten Russian, now fighting out of Fort Lauderdale, FL, just may have the chops, and the punch, to do it.
In Kovalev’s most recent start, June 1, he scored a quick TKO victory over journeyman Darnell Boone in the same Bethlehem boxing ring. Kovalev smoked Boone halfway through the second round, marking his sixth stoppage in his last seven fights. “KO Kovalev” will look to shock Campillo in similar fashion.
However, Campillo may just be the Russian’s stiffest test thus far. Besides being a southpaw, and making such a splash against Cloud, Campillo, of Madrid, Spain, has travelled the world and faced a variety of competition. He briefly held the World Boxing Association (WBA) World Light Heavyweight Title, as well as a collection of European and Spanish crowns. “The Handsome Man” is not a big puncher but his boxing skills are solid and should pose a serious challenge for Kovalev.
The fight is a classic boxer vs. puncher matchup that should excite the fans and live up to the strong standard of the NBC Sports Network Fight Night series. Kovalev-Campillo tops an exciting bill of bouts that include two 12-rounders, Gabriel Rosado vs. Charles Whittaker in an IBF Jr. Middleweight Title Eliminator, and Bethlehem’s Ronald Cruz vs. Antwone Smith for the WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Title. All three fights are scheduled to be televised live on a three-hour NBC Sports Network broadcast.
