Kovalev, known as 'Krusher', hung up his gloves shortly after April 25, 2023. His last fight was a victory over Artur Mann in Chelyabinsk, where he won by a 7th round stoppage. The Russian fighter had a successful 16-year career, becoming a multiple-time world light-heavyweight champion with notable wins over Jean Pascal, Bernard Hopkins, and Anthony Yarde.
In a recent interview with ES News, Kovalev expressed his willingness to return to the ring for the right opportunity. When asked about a potential comeback, he said:
"Of course, for a great fight, I'm ready, anywhere, anytime."
The interviewer then specifically asked about fighting Jake Paul, to which Kovalev replied:
"Of course, f**k him. I'd like to fight him."
Jake Paul, 28, from Cleveland, Ohio, has made waves in the boxing world since his professional debut in 2020. He's won all but one of his professional contests, with his sole loss coming against Tommy Fury in Diriyah in February 2023.
Paul has picked up victories over several high-profile opponents, including Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz, Tyron Woodley, and even Mike Tyson. His most recent fight saw him defeat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, Mexico's former WBC world middleweight champion, by unanimous decision at the Honda Center in California.
Paul's career has not been without controversy. The World Boxing Association (WBA) named him as a top 14 cruiserweight, a decision that faced severe backlash and may be reversed.
If the fight between Kovalev and Paul comes to fruition, it will pit a seasoned former world champion against a relative newcomer who's quickly become one of boxing's most talked-about figures. The bout will surely attract attention from both traditional boxing fans and Paul's considerable social media following.
As of now, there's no official word on whether this fight will happen. But with Kovalev's expressed interest and Paul's track record of taking on unexpected opponents, boxing fans will be watching closely for any developments.