The ex-light heavyweight leader representing the United States, a native of Russia, age Sergey Kovalev (35-4-1, 29 KOs) received the right to break into the title race in a new weight for himself – in cruiserweight.
The WBC offered the Russian a semi-final eliminatory fight with ex-applicant from South Africa Tabiso Mchunu (23-6, 13 KOs). The parties have until February 24 to agree on an amicable fight and avoid promotional bidding. At stake will be the 2nd place in the WBC rankings. On the 1st, the current mandatory challenger is Noel Gevor, a native of Armenia, who plays for Germany.
The champion of the organization, Ilunga Makabu from the DRC, will hold a voluntary defense at the end of the month – he will fight with the age conqueror of two weights, the Swede Badu Jack.
Read more about this and not only the fight in the traditional review: The main fights of February 2023 in boxing: Beterbiev Yard is resting – a month of fierce wrestlers is ahead.
Kovalev had only one fight in the cruiserweight limit – he beat the Olympic medalist from Bulgaria Tervel Pulev. But Mchunu fought twice for the belt: in 2016 he lost by knockout to the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, and last year he controversially lost to Makab.
Mchuna can be called a specialist in fighters from Russia – not so long ago he beat ex-world champion Denis Lebedev in turn on the road (he sent the veteran to retire) and Olympic champion Evgeny Tishchenko.
The other day, the British “Gentleman” announced his desire to fight with Kovalev.
