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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 02: Sergey Kovalev prepares for his WBO light heavyweight title defense against Canelo Alvarez at MGM Grand Garden on November 2, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Alvarez won the title by an 11th-round knockout. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 02: Sergey Kovalev prepares for his WBO light heavyweight title defense against Canelo Alvarez at MGM Grand Garden on November 2, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Alvarez won the title by an 11th-round knockout. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
The fight between former champion Sergey Kovalev and highly-rated youngster Bektemir Melikuziev on January 30 will now have a new fight location according to reports. The two will fight in a 12-round contest that DAZN will air live for viewers across the world.
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 3: MANDATORY CREDIT Bill Tompkins/Getty Images Sergey Kovalev defeats Igor Mikhalkin by TKO in the 7th round during their Light Heavyweight fight at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Bill Tompkins/Getty Images)
Moscow was the initial location for the fight since Kovalev is from Russia. However, the entire event will now be in Indio, California. Despite the change in location, the pair will still meet on the same date.
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Mike Coppinger was the first to report the news on his Twitter. He tweeted about the change in location and also gave an update on the undercard. Coppinger said Shane Mosley Jr will feature on the undercard against Jason Quigley.
Sources: The Jan. 30 fight between Sergey Kovalev and Bektemir Melikuziev is moving to Indio, Calif. The DAZN event was set for Moscow (Kovalev is from Russia) but now heads to Southern California. Shane Mosley Jr.-Jason Quigley on the undercard
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) January 13, 2021
The move to California will see a greater change in the viewership since the fight will be at a favorable time for US fans. Whether this was the reason for the change in venue is anyone’s guess. However, Coppinger also said they would time the fight to match European audiences.
The main event ring walk will be timed for DAZN’s global audience across Eastern Europe, per sources, so expect an early afternoon start time in SoCal https://t.co/ODZa5c0j2n
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) January 13, 2021
READ: Sergey Kovalev Targeted to Main Event DAZN Fight Card Against Bektemir Melikuziev
What can we expect from the Sergey Kovalev vs Bektemir Melikuziev fight?
Kovalev comes into this fight on the back of a 14-month lay-off from the sport. His last fight was against pound-for-pound king Canelo Alvarez, in which he lost his title. Thus, he will be looking to use his experience to prove a point against the highly-rated Melikuziev.
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ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – AUGUST 04: Sergey Kovalev sits in his corner between rounds during his bout with Eleider Alvarez during the WBO/IBA Light Heavyweight Title bout at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on August 4, 2018 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Melikuziev on the other hand is moving up from super-middleweight to light-heavyweight. He is unbeaten in his first 6 fights and will face a new challenge against Kovalev. However, the 24-year-old will be eager to prove a point by taking on the veteran.
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PASADENA, CA – AUGUST 30: Bektemir Melikuziev celebrates his victory over Ricardo Adrian Luna Flores at Pasadena City Hall on August 30, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Tom Hogan/Golden Boy/Getty Images)
Kovalev has the height and reach advantage; Melikuziev has the power. Thus, it will be an intriguing fight in terms of tactics. Can Sergey Kovalev get his career back on track with a victory, or can Bektemir Melikuziev make a big statement? What do you think will happen in the fight?
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