Kovalev decisions Hopkins to unify Light Heavyweight titles

ATLANTIC CITY–Sergey Kovalev scored a 12-round unanimous decision to retain the WBO and capture the IBF and WBA Light Heavyweight championship at Boardwalk Hall.

It started well for Kovalev as he landed a lead right that dropped Hopkins in the first round. In round three Hopkins laned a double forearm that sent Kovalev to the canvas. Hopkins briefly got into the fight later in the round as he landed a perfect right in between an attempted flurry. Kovalev finished the round strong by landing a nice right. Kovalev applied constant pressure and got through with enough punches to sweep the first half of the fight.

Hopkins had a couple of moments in round seven as he landed a few rights with one seemingly knocking Kovalev off balance. In round eight, Kovalev rocked Hopkins with a hard overhand right but was unable to do any further damage. In round ten, Hopkins drilled Kovalev with a hard overhand right. In round twelve, It started well for Hopkins as he buckled Kovaleve with another hard right. That seemed to set off the Russian as Kovalev landed a flurry of punches and had Hopkins in trouble like he hasn’t been in his career. Hopkins was able to reach the final bell by taking heavy punches in the ropes. That image maybe the last in the incredible career of Hopkins.

Kovalev, 174 1/2 lbs of Russia won by scores of 120-107 on two cards and 120-106 and is now 26-0-1. Hopkins, 173
Sadam Ali scored the biggest win of his career as he stopped Luis Carlos Abregu in round nine of their scheduled 10-round Welterweight bout.

Abregu pressed the action while Ali used movement to stay out of harms way and occasionally peck in some shots. Ali started to throw a little more fire in round six. Ali then connected with a hard left hook that sent Abregu to the canvas. Ali came out in round seven and landed a hard right hand. Abregu came later in the round to catch Ali with a hard left hook. Ali started round eight with a beautiful counter left off the ropes. Abregu smelled bllod to start round nine as he pummeled Ali along the ropes. Ali fired out and landed a perfect left hook to save him from danger. Ali then landed a hard left hook to the body that buckled Abregu. Ali then unleashed a perfect left that dropped Abregu hard to the canvas. Abregu continued but not for long as Ali pounced on the hurt Abregu and the fight was stopped at 1:54 of round nine.

Ali, 146 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is now 21-0 with 13 knockouts. Abregu, 146.5 lbs of Salta, ARG is now 36-2.

Nadjib Mohammadi scored a 1st round stoppage over Demetrius Walker in a scheduled 10-round Light Heavyweight fight.

Mohammdi dropped Walker in the 1st from a hard right then a follow up body flurry. He dropped him again with a hard right and the fight was stopped at 2:16.

Mohammedi, 176 lbs of AIx en Provence, FRA is now 37-3 with 22 knockouts. Walker, 174.5 lbs of Kansas City is now 7-8-1.

Vyacheslav Glazkov scored a 7thround stoppage over Darnell Wilson in a scheduled 10-round Heavyweight bout.

Glazkov battered Wilson for much of the fight and the bout was stopped before round eight.

Glazkov, 220 lbs of Lugasnk, UKR is now 19-0-1 with 12 knockouts. Wilson, 239 lbs of Miami is now 25-18-3.

Eric Hunter scored a 6th round stoppage over Daniel Ramirez in a scheduled 10-round Jr. Lightweight bout.

It was a good fight with both guys landing good shots. Hunter dropped Ramirez in round six with a hard right hand. He continually hit Ramirez until the fight was stopped after Ramirez was rocked with a hard right at 1:23 of round six.

Hunter, 128 lbs of Philadelphia is now 19-3 with 10 knockouts. Ramirez, 127 lbs of Los Angeles is now 11-2.

Sullivan Barrera remained undefeated as he stopped Rowland Bryant after round four of their scheduled 8-round Light Heavyweight bout.

Barrera dropped Bryant in round two from a right hand. The bout was stopped in between round’s four and five.

Barrera, 175 lbs of Miami is now 14-0 with 9 knockouts. Bryant, 174 lbs of Altamonte Springs, FL is now 18-4.

Andrey Sirotkin scored a 6-round unanimous decision over Michael Mitchell in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Sirotkin, 169 lbs of Zubobo, RUS won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 5-0. Mitchell, 168 lbs of Paterson, NJ is now 3-5-2.

Ryan Martin scored a 2nd round stoppage over Isals Gonzalez in a scheduled four round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Martin, 136 lbs of Chartanooga, TN is now 9-0 with 5 knockouts. Gonzalez, 135.5 lbs of Tucson, AZ is now 17-4.