Sergey Kovalev admits he knew he had no chance of beating Canelo Alvarez – and only took the fight for the money

SERGEY KOVALEV admitted it was “impossible” for him to beat Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez – and only took the fight for the money.

Mexican superstar Canelo, 29, clinched a title in his fourth weight division after knocking out the Russian for the WBO light-heavyweight belt.

The Las Vegas clash came just three months after Kovalev defended his strap against Brit Anthony Yarde with a round 11 KO in Chelyabinsk.

And the ex-champion claims the immediate turnaround in back-to-back training camps meant he stood no chance facing a fresh Canelo.

Kovalev said: “Given the conditions, it was impossible to win.

“You are ignoramuses since you thought I could win.

“I climbed into this weight with torment and sleepless nights. Because it was a financially interesting offer.”

Kovalev is said to have pocketed £9m for the unsuccessful title defence, with Canelo walking away with £27m.

Alvarez leaped two weight divisions for the bout, coming into the fight winning a middleweight unification fight against Daniel Jacobs.

Ex-light-middleweight titlist Canelo insisted before the Kovalev win that he can remain at light-heavyweight.

But unified lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko accused the Mexican of choosing the oldest champion to fight at the weight, instead of challenging Dmitry Bivol, 28, or Artur Beterbiev, 34.

Lomachenko said: “They seem to have the names, but they’re not at the level at the peak like they used to be.

“He didn’t try it two years ago when Sergey was at the peak of his form. He didn’t rise and box with him.

“Now he hasn’t agreed to box with Bivol or Beterbiev. He chose Sergey, a boxer who has already shown his full potential. Yes, that’s it.”