Caparello-Kovalev signed and sealed for August 2nd
AUSTRALIA’s Blake Caparello is the latest in a line of Australian fighters to earn a lucrative opportunity abroad, signing to face hard-hitting WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey ‘Krusher’ Kovalev on August 2nd at the Revel Resort and Casino in Atlantic City.
The fight will be the headline fight of a HBO split-site tripleheader which will also feature interim WBA light welterweight titlist Jessie Vargas (24-0, 9 KOs) defending his recently acquired belt against Anton Novikov (29-0, 10 KOs). The returning Brandon Rios (31-2-1, 23 KOs) will open the broadcast in a non-title fight against Diego Chaves (23-1, 19 KOs).
Kovalev, 31, who is signed to Kathy Duva’s Main Events, is on an impressive eight-fight knockout streak and hasn’t looked remotely close to losing a fight since dethroning Nathan Cleverly last August.
Caparello, 27, was last in action in January, retiring former title challenger Elvir Muriqi in a shut-out decision in a fight that also served as the Australian’s US debut on ESPN2. Caparello is currently signed to DiBella Entertainment, who have worked tirelessly in conjunction with Caparello’s co-managers Sam Labruna and Brendan Bourke to get the Kovalev fight signed.
Caparello (19-0-1, 6 KOs) looks set to earn $100,000 USD for the opportunity to dethrone Kovalev (24-0-1, 22 KOs), whose management is struggling to secure durable and competitive opponents for their charge.
The Greenvale-based Australian, who has previously held state, national and regional honours, has tirelessly chased a fight with Kovalev since previous challenges to WBO top-fifteen rated Robert Berridge and Thomas Williams Jr were both turned down.
“I am happy to be back in the ring on August 2nd and thanks to HBO for offering us the date. Looking forward to face an unbeaten fighter, I know he will be coming to fight and to take my title away, but it belongs to me and I won’t let that happen,” said Kovalev. “I already started my preparation for this bout and will be ready in good condition when time comes to step into ring.”
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