Sunday, Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov took a photo with one of his favorite athletes in the world, boxer Sergey “The Krusher” Kovalev. Both are stars of their respective sports and hail from Chelyabinsk, Russia.
Kovalev is the former unified light heavyweight world champion, having held the WBO title from 2013 to 2016, and the WBA (Undisputed) and IBF titles from 2014 to 2016. Kovalev’s undefeated run (30-2-1) ended on November 16, 2016, when the boxer lost to American Andre Ward in a unanimous decision. The two held a rematch eight months later and Kovalev lost via a TKO in the eighth round.
Addressing Kovalev, Kuzya wrote, “Good luck, buddy! All the good stuff is still ahead! It was great to meet you.”
Kovalev posted the same photo and gave Kuznetsov some props in English.
“🇺🇸 In my hometown with my friend and one of the best NHL hockey player @kuzy092😉👍🏼,” Kovalev wrote.
In August 2014, Kuznetsov drove up to Atlantic City to watch Kovalev, the WBO light heavyweight champion of the world at the time, defend his title against Blake Caparello. Kovalev was victorious in a second round TKO.
Kuznetsov took photos that night with former Capital Semyon Varlamov and boxer Roy Jones Jr.
Translation by Graham Dumas.
