By CompuBox

Like all great punchers, Sergey Kovalev's offense is his defense. His offensive numbers are not overly impressive (although he did land 6.5 jabs per round, slightly higher than the light heavy. avg.), it's his defense.

Yes, opponents landed 36.7% of their power punches, but only 4.7 per round, good for a #4 ranking on the CompuBox Categorical Leaders list and half the light heavyweight avg. Kovalev opponents landed just 8.1 total punches per round-#6 on the C'Box Cat.

Leaders list and half the light heavy avg. Igor Mikhalkin is busy (74.9 thrown per round vs. Ngumbu & Oosthuizen) and technically sound (37.3 jabs thrown per round), but will he stay as active once he feels The Krusher's power?

Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events - "Every single one of the fighters in our lineup for Saturday's fight has sweated through harder workouts and tougher training than ever in their careers. Many will fight at the Mecca of Boxing for the very first time. Some of them are returning, and that is a big deal, whether you're a champion, or just starting in a four rounder."

"In our televised fights, four light heavyweights know that the eyes of the world will be on them and they want to make a big impression. You will want to be part of this."

"At the top of our card we have a pair of exciting fights in the red-hot light heavyweight division, which I think is the perhaps most competitive division in this sport. First, we have Sullivan Barrera and Dmitry Bivol. In our main event, two-time Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey Kovalev will face his tough Siberian countryman and former amateur teammate Igor Mikhalkin."

About March 3:  The Saturday, March 3 main event between Sergey "Krusher" Kovalev and Igor Mikhalkin is a 12-round match-up for the WBO Light Heavyweight World Title at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The co-main event features WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol versus Sullivan Barrera in a 12-round title fight. Tickets range from $50 to $300 and are available online at TicketMaster.com and at the Madison Square Garden box office. The event is promoted by Main Events, Krusher Promotions and World of Boxing in association with EC Box Promotions, is sponsored by Medoff Vodka and Leon.ru and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT.