World light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (32-2-1, 28 KOs) of Russia scored a TKO victory in the seventh round over his compatriot Igor Mikhalkin (21-2, 9 KOs), successfully defending his title in the main event of the evening at arena of Madison Square Garden in New York.
In the course of the battle, Kovalev had a notable advantage and simply beat Mikhalkin up, sometimes even tired of his attacks. By the middle of the battle Igor's face turned into a bloody mask, but he continued to stand firm on his feet, despite the entire load of missed shots. At the end of the sixth round, the doctor at the ring examined Mikhalkin on the advice of referee Steve Willis, but allowed to continue the fight.
In the seventh round Willis asked the doctor to inspect Mikhalkin's injuries again, and the fight was stopped at 2:25.
At the time of the stoppage Kovalev was winning all rounds on two judges scorecards and lost only one third round on the notes of the third.
