Thursday 16 May 2019 12:22, UK
Sergey Kovalev will “take Anthony Yarde to school” vows his new trainer Buddy McGirt.
Kovalev will defend his WBO light-heavyweight title against unbeaten Brit Yarde and has enlisted the help of veteran McGirt.
"We've got our work cut out. We need to mind our Ps and Qs with him," said McGirt who notably trained Arturo Gatti and Antonio Tarver.
"Sergey told me: 'we've got to fight this guy, and he can punch'.
"I said: 'So can you'.
"The key is not to get hit. I won't send Sergey out to get into an exchange with a young kid. We need to take him to school. We need to take him into deep waters.
"People don't give Sergey the credit he needs for being smart because he was always viewed as a puncher."
Kovalev was unbeaten in 31 fights and holder of three world title belts until he lost back-to-back meetings with Andre Ward in 2016 and 2017. He has since been knocked out by Eleider Álvarez but won a rematch.
You need to reach Hall of Fame status to reach the pinnacle.
"People told me that I would have complaints but I don't have any," McGirt said about linking up with Kovalev.
"I had trainers tell me: 'good luck but this won't work'. I needed to find out for myself. I've never had a problem with Sergey.
"All I ask is that he listens. He's had lots of amateur fights and he's a seasoned pro so I just ask that he listens."
McGirt has been nominated for the International Boxing Hall of Fame, and reacted: "You can't get bigger and better than that. It's something you don't think about because your main goal is to become a world champion. But then you realise you haven't scratched the surface. You need to reach Hall of Fame status to reach the pinnacle."
