Tuesday 12 July 2016 00:13, UK
Sergey Kovalev retained his WBA Super, WBO and IBF world light-heavyweight titles with a workmanlike points victory over Isaac Chilemba.
The 33-year-old warmed up for November's hotly-anticipated clash with American Andre Ward by knocking down his Malawi-born challenger before earning scores of 117-110, 116-111 and 118-109 in Ekaterinburg - but at times was technically outshone.
Having entered in the eye of an entourage hoisting his belts and serenaded by a live band, Kovalev was instantly on the front foot with Chilemba soon cuffed around the top of the head by the champion's first meaningful right hand.
Chilemba, who fought world cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew twice in 2013, was having some degree of success in ducking under the Russian's assaults and although two firm Kovalev right hands drew applause from the crowd, Chilemba landed intelligently to get on the scoreboard in the third.
The visitor's corner - marshalled by female trainer Jodi Solomon in the absence of Buddy McGirt - were further encouraged at the start of round four as Chilemba frustrated his man with his subtle movement and long but pacy jabs.
Kovalev cut a slightly disconsolate figure at the start the fifth and, although he tried to step on the gas immediately, he was reminded by a lightning Chilemba counter that more guile was required.
Russian fans were eventually awoken by a decent Kovalev jab but for the second time in the session, Chilemba responded with a neat right uppercut on the inside. The champion then registered a right uppercut-to-left hook combination but had to eat a crisp Chilemba left hook before again turning the tide in the following round.
Chilemba's work-rate began to drop in the seventh round as Kovalev sought to reward his loyal supporters with more to cheer about. Hope came quickly, as their hero teed his man up with a vicious left to the body and then uncorked a textbook one-two. Chilemba collapsed in stages before rising to see out the final 20 seconds of the round.
The eighth was not initially the fireworks show that onlookers expected but Kovalev finally found the target again with a trio of stinging lefts followed by some one-way traffic. Chilemba gamely made it to the ninth and may even have pinched that round; earning at least a sign of recognition from his opponent.
Kovalev's own energy levels appeared to be dipping with Chilemba re-establishing some semblance of rhythm early in the 10th, and there was an audible gasp when Kovalev visited the canvas having slipped. Left and right hooks to the body saw Chilemba narrow the gap; only to appear to require a breather in an uneventful penultimate round.
The final session began with a respectful touch of hands and one of its more remarkable moments was the two wrestling each other to the floor. Although the crowd tried to roar their man to a last-gasp stoppage, Chilemba stood firm to bring in an assessment from the judges that may have been slightly harsh.
