Caparello ready for Kovalev clash

Australian light-heavyweight boxer Blake Caparello believes he could pull off a shock victory to beat reigning WBO champion Sergey Kovalev next month.

Australian light-heavyweight Blake Caparello is under no illusions about the size of his task as he prepares to face the fierce-punching Sergey Kovalev in Atlantic City on August 2.

Reigning WBO champion Kovalev has knocked out all but two of his 24 professional victims, including a dizzying fourth-round finish of Nathan Cleverly to claim the title in Cardiff last year.

Refreshingly, the also-unbeaten Caparello has acknowledged the extent of the power, which is threatening to make the Russian-born Kovalev one of the new superstars of his sport.

But that has not stopped the Australian being convinced he can pounce on any complacency and pull off a shock victory to put himself in the frame for future super-fights.

"Sergey Kovalev is the biggest puncher in the boxing," Caparello said.

"We are working on different plans to deal with his power but I won't know how hard he punches until I get in the ring with him."

Kovalev has being linked with future bouts against fellow light-heavyweight champions Adonis Stevenson and Bernard Hopkins and could be forgiven for looking beyond the Australian.

Certainly Caparello is no match in the power department, having stopped just six of his 20 professional opponents.

His last fight was a 10-round points win over fringe contender Elvir Muriqi in January.

"I get the sense they are looking past me," Caparello said.

"Sergey Kovalev has power but I don't fear him. I wanted to fight Kovalev because he is the best in the division and he is the man I want to beat."


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