Courageous Caparello downed in two by Kovalev
BLAKE Caparello almost became an overnight sensation when he became only the second man to floor Sergey Kovalev in the first round of their world title bout.
However, only minutes later his opportunity to grasp boxing superstardom was lost as he became the latest fighter to fall victim to the big punching WBO light heavyweight champion in Atlantic City earlier today.
Kovalev, 31, who earlier this week signed to fight an eagerly anticipated unification with WBA/IBF titlist Bernard Hopkins, underlined his status as one of the premier light heavyweights in the world with an enthralling second round stoppage over the courageous Australian.
Caparello, 27, went into the fight as an unknown quantity to most industry insiders and fans alike in the US. However, the one common denominator across the board was Caparello’s defence and ability to box effectively on the back foot.
However, two minutes into the fight it was the Australian’s offence that got people talking. Caparello (now 19-1-1, 6 KOs), caught Kovalev standing square on and because of it, was able to floor the Russian with an overhand left.
Kovalev refused to acknowledge the knockdown – even post fight – but it was clear that the knockdown spurred the defending WBO light heavyweight champion on and woke him up from what looked like a slow start. Kovalev (now 25-0-1, 23 KOs) recovered well and tagged Caparello with a lunging right hand that appeared to temporarily stun the challenger.
The fight took a turn for the worst for Caparello, who garnered praise from the HBO commentators on the telecast for his willingness to take the fight to Kovalev when he was stopped in his tracks by a thudding singular right hand to the body.
It was the first time Caparello had been legitimately hurt in his professional career and the Australian took his time rising for the mandatory eight count. However, Kovalev swarmed onto Caparello – flooring him a further two times – once where the ropes appeared to hold Caparello and a further time when the Australian took a knee.
It was at that point where referee Sparkle Lee waved off the contest, crowning Kovalev in another impressive performance.
“That was devastating, that body shot,” said Lou DiBella, Caparello’s promoter. “I think that a great boxer like Hopkins has a chance, but Kovalev is a devastating puncher. Kovalev has dynamite in his gloves.”
It goes without saying that Caparello deserves praise for taking on the most feared fighter in his division and by some distance too. Caparello could have taken a softer route to a world title – including WBA ‘regular’ titlist Jurgen Brahmer – but Caparello and his team took the hardest option available.
Despite his loss, Blake Caparello is an example of what progression in the domestic scene should look like. He cleaned out his backyard, before bringing in quality imports that gradually improved with time.
It may be a loss on his record, but to reach the dizzy heights of Atlantic City without the backing of a major promoter is a victory in itself for Caparello, who will no doubt make a return to the pinnacle of the division sooner rather than later.
Photo: Naoki Fukuda