When is Kovalev vs Melikuziev?
Sergey Kovalev could face the challenge of Bektemir Melikuziev in Summer 2021 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California.
The fight would take place over 12 rounds in the Light Heavyweight division, which means the weight limit would be 175 pounds (12.5 stone or 79.4 KG).
Kovalev vs Melikuziev stats
Sergey Kovalev would step into the ring with a record of 34 wins, 4 loses and 1 draw, 29 of those wins coming by the way of knock out.
Bektemir Melikuziev would make his way to the ring with an unblemished record of 6 wins and 0 draws, with 5 of those by knock out.
The stats suggest Kovalev would have a slight advantage in power over Melikuziev, with a 85% knock out percentage over Melikuziev's 83%.
Sergey Kovalev is the older man by 13 years, at 37 years old.
Kovalev has a height advantage of 2 inches over Melikuziev. This also extends to a 2-inch reach advantage.
Sergey Kovalev fights out of the orthodox stance, while Bektemir Melikuziev is a southpaw.
Kovalev is currently the more experienced professional fighter, having had 33 more fights, and made his debut in 2009, 9 years and 10 months earlier than Melikuziev, whose first professional fight was in 2019. He has fought 164 more professional rounds, 184 to Melikuziev's 20.
Sergey Kovalev goes into the fight ranked number 5 by the WBC, 6 by the WBO and 3 by the RING in the 175lb division.
Kovalev vs Melikuziev form
Kovalev has beaten 3 of his last 5 opponents, stopping 2 of them, going the distance once.
In his last fight, he lost to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez on 2nd November 2019 by technical knockout in the 11th round in their WBO World Light heavyweight championship fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, United States.
Previous to that, he had won against Anthony Yarde on 24th August 2019 by technical knockout in the 11th round in their WBO World Light heavyweight championship fight at Traktor Sport Palace, Chelyabinsk, Russia.
Going into that contest, he had beat Eleider Alvarez on 2nd February 2019 by unanimous decision in their WBO World Light heavyweight championship fight at The Ford Center at The Star, Texas, United States.
Before that, he had been beaten by Eleider Alvarez on 4th August 2018 by technical knockout in the 7th round in their WBO World Light heavyweight championship fight at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, New Jersey.
He had defeated Igor Mikhalkin on 3rd March 2018 by technical knockout in the 7th round in their WBO World Light heavyweight championship fight at Madison Square Garden, New York.
Activity check
Kovalev's last 5 fights have come over a period of 1 year, 7 months and 30 days, meaning he has been fighting on average every 5 months and 1 day. In those fights, he fought a total of 48 rounds, meaning that they have lasted 9.6 rounds on average.
What are the odds on Kovalev vs Melikuziev
Bektemir Melikuziev is currently 1/4 (-400) to win the contest outright, while you can get 3/1 (+300) on Sergey Kovalev if you fancy the big upset.
View all Kovalev vs Melikuziev Odds