Legendary LI trainer keys Kovalev resurgence
LAS VEGAS — Sergey Kovalev credits his trainer Buddy McGirt for rebuilding his confidence since the last time he fought in Las Vegas.
Kovalev’s career seemed in trouble when he was stopped in the seventh round by Eleider Alvarez in August 2018. He lost his light heavyweight title for a second time in two years following backto-back losses in Vegas to Andre Ward.
Kovalev then endured an ugly spilt with trainer John David Jackson and eventually turned to McGirt, the Hall of Fame boxer from Long Island who once trained Arturo Gatti.
The two have formed a strong bond after McGirt encouraged Kovalev to go back to his amateur style of boxing and not depend solely on his power.
“Buddy gives me professional advice,” Kovalev said. “He doesn’t change my style. He reminds me of my style. I showed him my amateur fights and he said, ‘Why aren’t you fighting like that?’ ”
Kovalev said something about being “The Krusher” to which McGirt told him: “You’re an older Krusher now, so you have to be a smarter Krusher.”
After losing to Alvarez, Kovalev won the rematch to regain the light heavyweight title for a third time. He made a successful defense in a tough fight with Anthony Yarde in August. Now he’s taking on Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, who is coming up from his natural middleweight division to face him.
“I look at one thing and one thing only and that’s what Sergey Kovalev can do,” McGirt said. “I know in my heart he’s going to surprise a lot of people because he’s a much better fighter than people know. He has it all. He’s just never had to display it.”
Kovalev, 36, conceded he’s not 20-something anymore, but is more motivated now than he was when he was younger.
“I had more energy then, but I have more motivation now,” he said. “My motivation pushes me forward.”
Kovalev hasn’t shied away from calling this the biggest fight of his career. He needs a big win after losing twice to Ward the last time he was in Las Vegas.
“I want to make it a dangerous fight for him and stop his idea of fighting the light heavyweight division,” Kovalev said of Alvarez.