Former WBA Super/IBF/WBO light heavyweight boxer Sergey Kovalev (34-4-1, 29KO) has reached a match deal with China's IBF light heavyweight challenger Meng Fanlong (17-0, 10KO) to play a match in Los Angeles on March 12, with an agreed weight of 185 pounds, ESPN reported.
It will be Kovalev's first match since November 2019, when Kovalev was brutally KO by Canello Avarez, who lost the light heavyweight boxing champion's gold belt.
Kovalev, a 38-year-old Russian, planned a match with Sullivan Barrera in April 2020, but the event was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Kovalev's comeback match was against Bektimir Melikoziev in January 2021, but was cancelled after Kovalev tested positive for synthetic testosterone, a banned drug. Now, Kovalev will make a comeback.
In Kovalev's heyday, he was one of the most threatening boxers in boxing. He has long been considered the best light heavyweight boxer in the world and enjoys three world championship titles. Later lost to Andre Ward and lost three world titles.
Meng Fanlong, a 33-year-old left-hander, is an excellent boxer on the mainland, currently winning 17 battles and KOting the opponent 17 times. Originally had the opportunity to challenge WBC/IBF light heavyweight boxing champion Bertbeev (17-0, 17KO) in March 2020, but due to the impact of the epidemic, the match was cancelled.