Sergey Kovalev was able to call it a wrap on his terms.

The former three-time light heavyweight titlist capped a storied sixteen-year pro career with a seventh-round knockout of Germany’s Artur Mann. Kovalev scored two knockdowns on the night. The latter prompted a stoppage 49 seconds into the seventh round of their cruiserweight fight Friday evening at Yunost Arena in Kovalev’s hometown of Chelyabinsk, Russia. 

The show was billed as “The Last Dance,” which carried the guarantee that Kovalev, 36-5-1 (30 KOs), would enter the ring for the final time. It was a deliberate but steady pace to close the show for the 42-year-old, as Mann, 34, fought behind a high guard in his best effort to not suffer an early knockout. The visiting former title challenger offered little offense, which allowed Kovalev to work without having to expend much energy. 

Kovalev opened up his attack in the second, to which Mann did not have any response. A right hand and left hook sent Mann to the canvas with just over 30 seconds left in the round. He beat the count but spent the rest of the frame on the defensive and under siege. A second trip to the canvas was waved off as a push, which allowed Mann to make it to the bell. 

A brief momentum shift saw Mann land a clean right hand and left hook after he took a couple of shots from Kovalev on the chin early in the third.

Despite the modest success, Mann was forced to contend with a cut just outside his right eyelid following a pair of Kovalev jabs. Another left hook by Mann put Kovalev on his heels but the lack of immediate follow-through let Kovalev off the hook. He came back with a left hook to the body and straight right hands to close out his best round to that point.

Action slowed in the middle rounds, as Kovalev made a conscious effort to not punch himself out too early. Mann was unable to seize the moment and would eventually pay the price. 

Kovalev let his hands go in the sixth round, to set up the spectacular finish moments later. Mann’s leaky guard could not stop Kovalev’s heavy jab, nor pick off a fight-ending right hand which sent him crashing to the canvas.

Despite a valiant effort in rising to his feet, Mann was unable to convince the referee or his team that he could continue. A waving of the arms from one of Mann’s cornermen prompted the ring official to halt the contest. 

While the night was undoubtedly Kovalev’s final call, Mann will have to consider what he still wants to get out of the sport. Dating back to his March 2019 knockout loss to Kevin Lerena, the Kazakhstan-born, Germany-based boxer has failed to beat anyone beyond the journeyman level. His lone title bid ended in a one-sided, third-round drubbing at the hands of then lineal and IBF cruiserweight king Mairis Briedis.

Mann was subsequently dominated in defeats to Evgeny Tischkeno and Muslim Gadzhimagomedov. 

Meanwhile, the next step is clear for Kovalev - retirement. 

At his peak, Kovalev was high among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. From his August 2013 fourth-round knockout of Nathan Cleverly to claim the WBO light heavyweight title, the heavy-handed Russian quickly rose to the top of the light heavyweight division. 

Eight successful defenses followed as he collected all but the WBC title, which was held by the elusive Adonis Stevenson who flat out refused to engage in an undisputed championship clash. 

Kovalev’s first title reign ended in a disputed points loss to Andre Ward in their November 2016 pound-for-pound showdown between unbeaten boxers at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. 

The same venue hosted their June 2017 rematch, which resulted in Kovalev’s first stoppage defeat. Ward earned an eighth-round body shot knockout in what marked the final fight of his Hall of Fame career. 

Kovalev would go on to enjoy two more WBO title reigns. His second tour ended in a stunning knockout defeat to Eleider Alvarez in August 2018. The setback was avenged six months later in a February 2019 decision win, followed by a knockout victory over Anthony Yarde to successfully defend the belt for the final time.

The pair of wins paved the way for by far the highest profile fight and biggest payday of Kovalev’s career. Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez moved up two divisions from middleweight to successfully wrest the WBO light heavyweight title from Kovalev’s possession via emphatic eleventh-round knockout. 

Just two fights followed over the next five years prior to Friday’s swan song. The 30-month gap between his loss to Alvarez and a May 2022 points win over Tervel Pulev was caused in part due to the pandemic.

There was also the issue of a positive drug test which killed plans for a January 2021 light heavyweight clash with then-unbeaten Bektemir Melikuziev. The development proved to be his last attempt at making the 175lbs. limit, but was merely part of his many out-of-ring issues.

There was a years-long court case over charges of a June 2018 felony assault, which ended in Kovalev receiving three years’ probation.

He was subsequently arrested on DUI charges in February 2020 but did not serve jail time. He was also removed from an outbound flight from Fort Lauderdale on drunk and disorderly claims, but was not placed under arrest for the 2019 incident. 

The win over Pulev was hoped to have provided a career boost for Kovalev but was met with another two-year ring absence. He resurfaced on the loaded Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury card last May in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. However, it was a night to forget for Kovalev, who looked every bit his 41 years of age (at the time) in a lopsided points loss to Robin Sirwan Safar.

Still, Kovalev sought to end his career on his terms, rather than to be retired by the game. Friday’s event provided a far more desirable exit. 

Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on X and Instagram.