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After securing the contract for the Bernard Hopkins-Sergei Kovalev bout this coming November, Main Events promotions has dropped a lawsuit which it filed last April against Golden Boy Promotions and its “accomplices.”
Alleged Interference
The lawsuit stemmed from the alleged interference of GBP in a supposed unification bout between Kovalev and WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson. The lawsuit accuses Golden Boy Promotions of conniving with Showtime, Al Haymon, Yvon Michel of abandoning the temporary contract in order to make a Hopkins versus Stevenson match up instead. Included as respondents to the lawsuit were Showtime, Haymon, Michel and Adonis Stevenson himself.
Got What They Wanted
In a statement by Main Events CEO Kathy Duva to ringtv.com, the promoter said that they “are dropping the charges” because they “got what they wanted.” Kovalev and Main Events were looking for a big fight, and they figured that unifying the belts against Adonis Stevenson would be a big step up in opposition for Kovalev. Instead, they now have signed a deal last to pit the “Krusher” against the 49 freak of nature and current IBF and WBA champion Bernard Hopkins.
Compared to Stevenson, Hopkins is indeed the bigger fight for Kovalev as he’s not only a high quality opposition with two alphabet belts, but he represents a long running PPV machine who can easily give Kovalev the best payday of his career.
Without Prejudice
Main Events lawyer Pat English told ESPN that his client has decided that “there are no damages.” He said that the unification bout between Hopkins and Kovalev “eliminated any damages that they may have had”. He added that Main Events has decided “drop the case without prejudice, meaning if the bout between Hopkins and Kovalev does not materialize, they can reinstate the case.” However, Main Events does not expect any more problems at this point in time.
Looking From the Outside
It is now Adonis Stevenson who is left “looking from the outside” as he recently signed a deal with Showtime upon the advice of new mentor Al Haymon. The contract began with the Canadian “Superman” defeating Andrezj Fonfara via unanimous decision last May 24. Stevenson was rumored to have signed with Showtime in anticipation of a big bout with Hopkins in the fall. It was also at this point when Stevenson denied any “temporary agreement” to fight Kovalev.
The discussion for Hopkins-Stevenson pushed thru, but it never gathered steam. And once the IBF gave Hopkins the 5pm ET deadline last Friday to make a deal or face a mandatory challenger, Golden Boy turned to Kovalev who was more than willing to make the fight happen, contingent to his victory against Blake Caparello last Saturday night.
According to both sides, the fight is likely to be held at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey or at the Barclays Center, New York. It is tentatively set for November 8.
