Stevenson vs Kovalev negotiations are serious, but fight won't be next

Adonis Stevenson and Sergey Kovalev look headed for a much-desired light heavyweight power punching clash, but the two will have separate fights beforehand if the deal does get done. Currently, it appears Kovalev will defend his WBO belt on March 29 and Stevenson will defend the WBC title on May 24 against Andrzej Fonfara. Kovalev's fight may be against Cedric Agnew.

Kathy Duva, Kovalev's promoter, is confident the fight will get done:

"We have actually been negotiating very seriously in the last days, hours even. The fight is going to get made.....just not next. The negotiations are ongoing with the people from Montreal and HBO. We are talking. I've been involved in a lot of big deals in my life. I can tell when something is going to work and not going to work, and it's going to work."

Kovalev (23-0-1, 21 KO) and Stevenson (23-1, 20 KO) are both red hot right now, as the two action stars have been mowing down the competition at 175 pounds. It's the fight to be made in the division so long as both keep winning.