Sergey Alexandrovich Kovalev vs. Igor Gennadyevich Mikhalkin & Dmitry Bivol vs. Sullivan Barrera RBR

Round 5

Mikhalkin is still confident, standing in front of Kovalev and first to draw & fire his weapon, spraying right jabs all over Kovalev. Ducking and swaying to his side, Kovalev is rolling his own jab out slowly, unfurled like an octopus' tentacles, wrapping itself around Mikhalkin's extended right arm to sling it aside. Kovalev tossing light straight combos at Mikhalkin's throat. A few clubbing rights. Mikhalkin hurt by a left hook, almost by accident. Kovalev looks surprised to see Mikhalkin stagger and nearly drag a glove on the canvas by the ropes. Kovalev belatedly rushes in with a flurry to follow-up but Mikhalkin has recovered. Not officially ruled a knockdown but Mikhalkin was seeing cartoon stars & birdies.

10-8 Kovalev

49-45 Kovalev

 

Round 6

Mikhalkin is fighting through a very bloody nose, and with a cut also dripping into his right eye. Mikhalkin darting in and out landing right jabs on the hairline and lower jaw. Kovalev falling short with his own jabs and 1-2s lunging in from too far away. Mikhalkin turning Kovalev and countering with pot shots and even lands a nice left hand lead. Kovalev is just flicking power shots at 70% of what he's capable, still hurting Mikhalkin with blocked shots & busting up his face like a particularly moist and thin-skinned grape.

10-9 Kovalev, somewhat close

59-55 Kovalev

 

Lederman has it 60-54 Kovalev.

 

Round 7

The ringside physician beckons for Mikhalkin to check him out before answering the bell. He's cleared. Kovalev immediately starts landing flush left hooks which just mangle the grisly carnage-laden mug even further. Mikhalkin is circling away, but too fatigued to keep his gloves up. Kovalev walking him down, popping jabs off the hip directly into Mikhalkin's sliced-up face. Kovalev is pulling his punches, though, especially with the right hand, clearly feeling pity for his old friend and just bopping him lightly over the ear when he could easily be drilling him if he wanted to. Steve Willis asks the doctor to look at Mikhalkin again, they decide this is over.

TKO7!