Eleider Alvarez smashes Sergey Kovalev via seventh-round TKO

Sergey Kovalev entered Atlantic City’s Hard Rock Hotel & Casino as one of the most feared punchers in the entire sport, but it was unbeaten Eleider Alvarez who added to his highlight reel last night (Sat., Aug. 4, 2018), dropping the “Krusher” three times en route to a seventh-round TKO and securing the WBO Light Heavyweight title.

Alvarez (24-0, 12 KO) used his superior hand speed to great effect in the first couple of rounds, mixing a stiff jab with a solid body attack to beat Kovalev (32-3-1, 28 KO) to the punch. In response, Kovalev upped his volume, and his power began to turn the tide in the fourth round. A strong left hook downstairs and some visibly heavy shots snapped the Colombian-Canadian’s head back, allowing Kovalev to claw his way back into the driver’s seat.

Kovalev appeared to be in control in the seventh round, only for a booming right hand to put him on his seat. He was unsteady when he returned to his feet, allowing Alvarez to find the mark with a 3-2 that seemed to knock him spark out. Despite collapsing to the mat like his legs were filled with sand, Kovalev beat the count one more time, and the ref allowed him to continue.

So Alvarez crushed him with a right hand around the guard for knockdown #3. That, finally, was enough.

It was a stunning victory for Alvarez, who was not known as a finisher coming in. This event was meant to set up a unification bout between Kovalev and Dmitry Bivol (14-0, 11 KO), who cruised past Isaac Chilemba (25-6-2, 10 KO) in the opening feature. I, for one, would love to see “Storm” test his mettle against Bivol soon.

For quick results and round-by-round coverage of the HBO doubleheader, click here.