Tuesday 12 July 2016 10:14, UK
Sergey Kovalev has highlighted illness during training camp as the reason for Monday's slightly underwhelming points win over Isaac Chilemba in Ekaterinburg.
WBA Super, IBF and WBO world light-heavyweight champion Kovalev (30-1-KO26) knocked his challenger down in the seventh round but his energy levels appeared to fade late on in the fight before being awarded a comfortable win on the scorecards.
Kovalev, who is scheduled to face American star Andre Ward in November, said afterwards: "There were obviously some moments during the training with regards to my health, because I got a cold and I didn't say anything, so the information wouldn't get to Chilemba and might work against me.
"So myself and my trainer worked hard to overcome this stage and prepared for the fight."
My promoter and manager chose a fighter that is similar to Andre Ward's style, so that I will be prepared for the fight with Ward.
On the knockdown, the Russian added: "If it wasn't the end of the round I would have pursued to actively attack him. But because the bell rang, we rested and he managed to pull himself together and I didn't want to waste my energy.
"He is very experienced and had as many fights as myself and with boxers of highest level, therefore I was boxing and continue boxing and whatever happens, then it happens.
"There was no aim to knock him out, but the main aim was to gain experience from this fight for the next fight in November in Las Vegas.
"My promoter and manager chose a fighter that is similar to Andre Ward's style, so that I will be prepared for the fight with Ward. When they told me that my opponent will be Chilemba because his style is similar to Andre Ward's style, I was asking myself what's so similar to his style?
"Their height is different, so at first I didn't see much, but after the fight I realize that, in fact, he does have similar style to Andre Ward's: waiting out and counter-attacks, he is not going in much, he waits in defense and waits for the right moment."
Chilemba (24-4-2-KO10) has previously fought the likes of Tony Bellew and said after his first world title challenge: "I am proud of my performance tonight even though I didn't get a victory tonight and I thank God for that.
"I am a fighter. I was born a fighter. I was born a warrior. I always fight. I always get going and I won't back down. I will be back soon in the ring. I believe my promoter and my team will give me that. I will be back soon."
