PHOTOS: Sergey Kovalev Decisions Eleider Alvarez to Regain WBO Title And Calls For Unification Fights

Sergey Kovalev gained revenge vs. Eleider Alvarez on Saturday night (Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank)

By Chris Robinson

On Saturday night, inside of The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, TX, Sergey Kovalev gained a level of revenge vs. Eleider Alvarez, winning a clear unanimous decision over 12 rounds to recapture the WBO light heavyweight title. The bout aired on the ESPN+ streaming app as the boxing world saw Kovalev, 35, become a three-time champion at 175 pounds. Scores were 120-108 and 116-112 twice.

Alvarez (24-1, 12 KOs) was coming off of a thrilling seventh round knockout over Kovalev just six months prior, a fight in which he rocked and dropped the Russian three times before finishing the contest. But, to the credit of Kovalev (33-3-1, 28 KO’s), he was able to turn the rematch in his favor and box his way towards victory.

Kovalev gave much credit to his new trainer, former champion James “Buddy” McGirt, after the win.

“We worked a lot on my jab,” Kovalev said. “Right now, I am working with Buddy the way I was when I was an amateur. After this, I want unification fights.”

Alvarez, 34, will still be in position to redeem himself with future high-profile fights, and admitted that it was Kovalev’s night.

“I don’t see myself as a loser tonight, but I do give him credit, especially in that 12th round,” said Alvarez. “I think that he went out and proved that he wanted to win.”

As for Kovalev, with each of the light heavyweight division’s champions being formidable, he can eye some lucrative unification bouts.