The former 175lbs champion had moved up a weight class and took on Bulgarian Tervel Pulev over the course of a 10-round fight in California.

He won by unanimous decision by a clear margin: 98-92, 98-92, and 97-93.

Kovalev was largely in control against the bigger man and he had to be on his guard for powerful shots, and the 39-year-old former champion boxed conservatively.

The performance was far from the best that the veteran put in at a lower weight, and the passage of time may have robbed him of his knockout blow - his last fight was in November 2019 when he was soundly beaten by Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

“After a long rest, it was a little harder than usual,” Kovalev acknowledged. “But I’m back. I’m okay. I’m gonna keep [in] shape after this fight. Rest one week and then be back in the boxing gym. Next fight will be much more [better]. I promise you.”

“I worried about how I was going to be in this fight.

“Pro boxing at a high level. More than one year, this is very big rest. My body don’t like this. I want to fight every three, four months.”