Sergey Kovalev has a big fight upcoming against Eleider Alvarez on Feb. 2, but the former light heavyweight champion is dealing with some serious legal trouble in the meantime.
Kovalev has been charged with felony assault in Big Bear, Calif., after he was accused of punching a woman in the face back in June. TMZ reports that the woman told police she rejected Kovalev’s advances at a party, and the boxer and a friend followed her back to her cabin later that night and attacked her. She reportedly suffered a broken nose, concussion and displaced disk in her neck.
Kovalev was arrested a short time after the incident and charged with assault by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury. He pleaded not guilty and is due back in court in March, which would be after his fight against Alvarez.
The Feb. 2 fight between Kovalev and Alvarez will be a rematch of their bout back in August, when Kovalev was surprisingly knocked out and lost his title belt.
