SERGEY Kovalev rolled back the years in what he claims will be his final fight, stopping Artur Mann in round seven of a Chelyabinsk homecoming headliner. The power is the last thing to go, and Kovalev has always been able to bang with the best of them.
Scoring a second-round knockdown, battling through some sticky patches, the ‘Krusher’ delivered a heavy-handed finish to the delight of the supporters packed in to see him succeed. The winner left the ring with an IBA Pro Intercontinental title wrapped around his waist.
Kovalev started off behind his trademark world-class jab, but was met by a few snappy left jabs in return as Mann grew in confidence during the opening round.
Kovalev’s right hand was working well. Mann’s own body shots were to be a key weapon, along with a steady workrate, to weaken the resolve of the 42-year-old Russian veteran. Kovalev’s left elbow was in full effect to try and maintain distance between himself and the marauding Mann.
Even more effective than the elbow was Kovalev’s power shots, particularly the left jab-come-hook that landed flush on Mann’s chin in round two, turning his legs to jelly. Artur swivelled and swayed to the canvas for a count, rising gingerly, appearing badly stunned. A second, cuffing right hand had Mann down again late in the round, although the referee called no knockdown.
Kovalev emptied a few litres out of the tank, trying to get rid of his opponent and Mann landed some solid return shots in the third. He exited the round with a nasty-looking cut to the right eye, courtesy of a Kovalev left hand, despite landing a couple of spiteful left hooks to the body that had Kovalev wincing.
The old legs were looking increasingly leaden as Kovalev jabbed his way into the fifth, trying to keep a resurgent Mann on the back foot. The left hook (followed by a thudding right) proved a good deterrent once more in round seven as Mann was left scrambling off the canvas, back to his feet following a count.
Mann briefly shuffled on his toes, trying to convince the referee that he could continue. The corner thought otherwise, stepping up to wave it off and save their man for another day.
Kovalev improves his record to 36-5-1 (30 KOs). Not that it matters much. This was his final outing and he can pass the gloves on to the next generation, knowing he achieved so much and was able to wave the wand one final time when needed. Brittle Mann falls to 22-5 (13 KOs), being stopped for the fourth time.
