Sergey Kovalev wants to add Adonis Stevenson’s titles to his collection

Dec

Sergey Kovalev said he would like to add Adonis Stevenson’s WBC light heavyweight title belt to his collection, even though he says he will be fighting the division’s next best 175-pounder when he meets Jean Pascal on March 14 in Montreal.

Stevenson is THE RING champion and WBC beltholder. Kovalev holds the IBF, WBA, and WBO titles. Pascal is a former RING/WBC champion.

“Pascal is one of the best opponents, no matter if I will be fighting Stevenson or not,” said Kovalev during an interview with RingTV.com. “Right now I am concentrating on Pascal. I will not speak regarding Stevenson at this moment, because we will take a couple more bouts to win before our possible fight.”

In facing Pascal, Kovalev will be returning to Canada for the first time since November 2013, when he knocked out Ismayl Sillakh in the second round in Quebec City, Quebec.

“I felt good after I fought Sillakh, especially from Canadian fans,” said Kovalev. “There are a lot of boxing fans and I am looking forward to going back to Canada and face good Canadian fighters.”

Stevenson is coming off Saturday’s four knockdown, fifth-round stoppage of Dmitry Sukhotsky, representing his 14th stoppage victory over the course of a 15-1 run.

Stevenson’s triumph was called a “mismatch on paper and in the ring” by Pascal, who often refers to his Haitian countryman as “Aducknis Chickenson” for his belief that his fellow Canadian resident has ducked premier competition.

Prior to his facing Sukhotsky, Stevenson was mandated by the WBC, in victory, to fight the winner of Kovalev-Pascal.

Would Kovalev like to unify against Stevenson if he defeats Pascal?

“Yes,” said Kovalev. “I would like very much to add one more title belt to my collection.”