Best on ESPN: preview of Eleider Alvarez against Sergey Kovalev II and full coverage of the fight week



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On Saturday, February 2, at the Star's Ford Center in Frisco, Texas, Top Rank Boxing features a quadrupleheader overlay featuring three world championship fights. In the main event, WBO light heavyweight champion, Eleider Alvarez (24-0, 12 KO's), defends his title against Sergey Kovalev (32-3-1, 28 KO's), the man that's out there. he lost during a big surprise in August 2017.

If you do not know how the first fight happened, here are the highlights.

Kovalev was already on the score cards before the seventh round of the TKO, but he used his rematch clause, and he now has a chance to tie the score. A black cloud hovering over Kovalev's head as night approached is the recent discovery that he was arrested last June for allegedly badaulting a woman and causing injuries. serious injury. He is expected in court in March and has pleaded not guilty.

For Alvarez, this is the first fight of a multi-faceted promotional deal with Top Rank, which will allow him to get at least $ 1 million per fight, as well as a reduction in door revenue and all PPP revenues if it is in a main event à la carte. He waited long enough for a title and finally got it last year and made the most of it. The Canadian by Colombia has emerged as an elite boxer with a capacity of 175 pounds and, if he still beats Kovalev, he will have the opportunity to fight either the champion of the WBC, Oleksandr Gvozdyk , being the IBF champion, Artur Beterbiev, both aligned to the Top Rank.

The other two fights for the title on this card are the WBO featherweight champion (126 lb), Oscar Valdez (24-0, 19 KO), against Carmine Tommasone (19-0, 5 KO), absolute definition of " development ". opponent. Valdez returns to the game after winning a thrilling decision against overweight Scott Quigg, who broke his jaw. So it's the return of the Mexican in the ring, and if he wins, do not be surprised if he faces a big fight, possibly a unification with the champion of the IBF, Josh Warrington.

In addition, the title of IBF lightweight champion (135 pounds) vacant will pit the Ghanaian Richard Commey (27-2, 24 KO) to the Russian Isa Chaniev (13-1, 6 KO). It is expected that the winner of this fight will join WBA and WBO champion Vasyl Lomachenko on April 12th.

As for the untitled fight, you have to watch it. Teofimo Lopez (11-0, 9 KO) is one of the real hopes and potential superstars of the sport. In December, he seduced fans with an electrifying first-round knockout of veteran Mason Menard. He still gained in competitiveness against former world title challenger Diego Magdaleno (31-2, 13 KO's). The only defeats in Magdaleno's career were former lightweight champion Terry Flanagan and a decision shared between former 130-pound champion Rocky Martinez. If Lopez can dominate Magdaleno, who is on a winning streak in three fights, do not be surprised if he finds himself in a much more publicized fight later this year.

Just like the UFC on ESPN + that starts earlier this month, the map is shared between ESPN and ESPN +. Alvarez-Kovalev II and Lopez-Magdaleno will be on ESPN +, while Valdez-Tommasone and Commey-Chaniev make up ESPN. We will have live coverage of this event and previews throughout the week.

ESPN + card (12:00 pm ET)

Eleider Alvarez vs. Sergey Kovalev – WBO light heavyweight title
Teofimo Lopez vs. Diego Magdaleno – 10 laps, light weight

ESPN card (22h ET)

Oscar Valdez vs. Carmine Tommasone – WBO featherweight title
Richard Commey against Isa Chaniev – IBF lightweight title

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