Redemption for Sergey Kovalev as he outpoints Eleider Alvarez to reclaim light-heavyweight title

Sergey Kovalev proved that suggestions of his demise had been exaggerated in Frisco, Texas on Saturday night when he put in a vintage performance to unanimously outpoint Eleider Alvarez and reclaim the WBO l ight-heavyweight title he ceded so spectacularly to the Colombian in August last year.

Kovalev, 35, claimed he would make up for the “mistake” he made in losing their first fight, and he seemed energised by adding legendary trainer Buddy McGirt to his camp for the rematch improving his record to 33-3-1.

Alvarez relinquished his title as quickly as he won it and failed to press the challenger, who he knocked out in a stunning upset back in August 2018. The 34-year-old suffered the first defeat of his 25-fight career.

The Russian was given the nod 116-112, 116-112 and a shutout 120-108 by the judges in an accurate reflection of his dominance.

Putting aside legal issues away from the ring, Kovalev showed he still has much to offer the light-heavyweight division – if he can avoid jail time when a felony assault case goes to court next month.

After an even start to the fight, Kovalev began to take control through the middle rounds, and was having it all his own way as the fight lurched through the championships rounds.

Kovalev, who claimed he had overtrained for the first fight, seemed able to soak up big shots from the Canada-based Colombian better this time around, and Alvarez’s energy appeared to sap quickly as he realised there was little he could do to keep the three-time world champion at bay.