Sergey Kovalev retained the WBO Light Heavyweight title with a thrilling 11th round stoppage over previously undefeated mandatory challenger Anthony Yarde at Traktor Sport Palace in Chelyabinsk, Russia.
Kovalev boxed well over the 1st half of the fight, and got out to an early lead.
In round seven, Yarde started working the body. The very next round, Yarde had Kovalev in serious trouble as he rocked the champion with several hard shots. Kovalev was lucky to not have been put down. Kovalev got back to boxing and started to break Yarde down.
In round 10, Kovalev began to hurt Yarde. In the next frame, Yarde looked exhausted, and Kovalev landed some more thudding blows, and finally put Yarde down with a thumping jab that ended the fight at 2:04.
Kovalev is now 34-3-1 with 29 knockouts. Yarde of England is 18-1.
Former cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu won a 12-round majority decision over previously undefeated undefeated Alexander Papin in a action-filled fight
Both guys landed big shots, with Makabu hurting Papin in round 11. In round 12, Makabu dropped Papin with a straight left hand. Papin wobbled Makabu in the closing seconds of the bout, but it was too little-too late as Makabu won by scores of 115-113 twice and 113-113.
Makabu, 198 3/4 lbs of Congo is 26-2. Papin, 199 1/2 lbs of Russia is 11-1.
Papin outlanded Makabu 212-209.
