By Mike Coppinger

Blake Caparello isn't holding the party line.

Though he's already being counted out versus Sergey Kovalev (24-0-1, 22 KOs) for their Aug. 2 title bout on HBO, he's already looking beyond the date. Crazy talk, right? In Caparello's mind, he might just be returning the favor.

"I get the sense they are looking past me," Caparello said. "I am very confident myself. I know I am going to win and I already told Lou to get me a unification fight with Adonis Stevenson after I beat Kovalev. Nothing plays on my mind. I am very mentally tough."

Very bold words from Caparello (19-0-1, 6 KOs), but the only fighters who upset the odds are the ones who think -- know -- they are going to win.

Chris Algieri was staunch in the lead up to the bout with Ruslan Provodnikov that he would come out on top. Can Caparello author an upset that would rival Algieri's when it's time for Upset of the Year voting?

"Sergey Kovalev has power but I don't fear him," Caparello stated. "I wanted to fight Kovalev because he is the best there is in the division. He is the man I want to beat."

Follow Mike Coppinger on Twitter: @MikeCoppinger