SERGEY KOVALEV claimed Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez only agreed to fight him as the Russian was worn out from fighting Anthony Yarde.
Mexican superstar Canelo moved up from middleweight to light-heavyweight challenging Kovalev for the WBO belt on November 2.
Canelo Alvarez stopped Sergey Kovalev in 11 rounds in Las VegasCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Sergey Kovalev KOd Anthony Yarde in round 11 of their world title fightCredit: Getty – Contributor
But the fight came just 10-weeks after the 36-year-old’s last title defence against Brit Anthony Yarde, which he won in round 11 after almost being beaten in the eighth.
Ironically, it was the 11th that Canelo left Kovalev out cold, but the former 175lbs ruler insists the fight came too close to his war with Yarde.
He wrote on Instagram: “Well let’s face the truth, Canelo wouldn’t have won if the fight had passed after my full rest after my previous fight Anthony Yarde, which I started my preparations for in early May.
“Canelo’s team calculated everything, and made me a commercially interesting offer exactly when I was squeezed like a lemon with exhausting workouts and weighing to fight with an Englishman.
“I wasn’t in such conditions such ready for the fight at a 100% but I accepted the challenge as I don’t know how to turn on the back when I was made a challenge to fight.
“Under all these conditions, I was hoping for my victory, but unfortunately, I was a little bit of gas and I lost self-control.”
Canelo now actively holds belts at middleweight, super-middleweight and light-heavyweight after winning a title in his fourth division.
But Alvarez’s trainer Eddie Reynoso was forced to deny allegations of match fixing against Kovalev.
And believing he did not get a fair crack at the 29-year-old, nor could he refuse a “challenge”, Kovalev has called for a rematch in May.
He added: “Everything was calculated by Canelo team, Canelo really thinks he won, then he should confirm it in a rematch that can be held in May 2020.
“After my full recovery and enough time for my preparation to #CaneloKovalev2 I can get victory over Canelo 100%.
Canelo Alvarez shows off his incredible body transformation in boxing workout
“I was tired after the fight against Anthony Yarde and didn’t have enough time for the rest and recovery my power for 100%. But I can’t say no when somebody makes the call to fight me.
“Everything was calculated by team of Canelo.
“Now a lot of people have a wrong opinion about our fight. Let’s close these talk about a rematch.”
Kovalev has called for a rematch against the Mexican starCredit: USA TODAY Sports
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
