Kovalev Retains Title As Mikhalkin Is Stopped By Docs

In a big night for fighting, Sergey Kovalev made his first defense of his WBO light heavyweight title against Igor Mikhalkin at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The two Russians squared off in the evening’s main-event, but Mikhalkin was in deep water from the beginning, as the “Krusher” would dictate the pace in the early going. In the second round, Kovalev would out punch the challenger 67-21.

In the sixth round, Kovalev would draw blood from Mikhalkin right above the eye which would signal the beginning of the end for the challenger.

Sergey Kovalev opens up a cut on Igor Mikhalkin’s face with a strong left in Round 6. #KovalevMikhalkin pic.twitter.com/gHoNgYpJYJ

— HBOboxing (@HBOboxing) March 4, 2018

And with less than 40 seconds in the round, the referee would stop the fight and have the doctor check Mikhalkin’s eye. The NYSAC assigned doctor would stop the fight and give Kovalev his first successful title defense.

The ringside doctor puts an end to #KovalevMikhalkin in Round 7 after Sergey Kovalev continued to deal heavy damage to Igor Mikhalkin. pic.twitter.com/VbO7GfbSDB

— HBOboxing (@HBOboxing) March 4, 2018