This weekend showcase fights from three titleholders who are on opposite sides of their boxing careers. Sergey Kovalev is an older boxer, who although still a titleholder, is on the tail end of his career. Juan Francisco Estrada, who is a current top-10 pound-for-pound fighter who represents boxing’s present; and young Brandon Figueroa, who is looking to prove he is boxing’s future.
Sergey Kovalev
36-year-old Sergey Kovalev has proven himself as a championship-caliber fighter. He is 33-3, with 28 knockouts. Two of his three losses come to Andre Ward. The third loss came to Eleider Alvarez, a loss he avenged 6 months later by beating Alvarez by unanimous decision in the rematch.
With many thinking that he may be washed, he is looking to disprove those by defending his WBO Light Heavyweight title this Saturday in his native Russia versus Anthony Yarde (18-0, 17 KOs). Kovalev turned down a bigger, more lucrative offer to fight Canelo Alvarez in favor of a fight at home, in Russia, versus Yarde. Kovalev will have to defeat Yarde in a convincing fashion to quiet talks that he is past his prime.
Kovalev is prime to fight Canelo if he comes through with a victory.
Flip the page to see who else is fighting this weekend.