Former light heavyweight unified boxer Sergei Kovalev will travel to Bank of California Stadium in Los Angeles on May 14 to compete with Meng Fanlong, a famous light heavyweight king on the mainland, and the two will play at 185 pounds of the agreed weight.
BoxingScene reported that the two were initially ready to play on March 12, but it never happened due to the pandemic. Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 KO) will make his debut since being beaten by Avarez in 2019, when he was KO by Avarez for 11 rounds and has never played again. Kovalev reportedly made $12 million in the game and didn't even prepare for the game for money. Kovalev, 38, planned to play against Uzbek players last January, but testosterone positives were cancelled.
Meng Fanlong (17-0, 10 KO), 34, is a mandatory challenger for current IBF and WBC light heavyweight champions Bertbiyev in the IBF light heavyweight class. Due to covid-19 restrictions, the 2012 Olympic athlete has been unable to advance the match against Beitbiyev, and Adam Deans, who replaced him, was eventually TKO by Betbiyev. Meng Fanlong played his last match and defeated Israel's Duffers by consensus in a 10-legged match in October.
Kovalev head coach Aegis Clemas recently said he was prepared to aim for a title once and retire after three or four match fights.