Sergey Kovalev vs. Jean Pascal: Live Round-by-Round Results and Highlights

Sergey Kovalev methodically beat Jean Pascal into oblivion, forcing veteran trainer Freddie Roach to mercifully pull the plug after seven ugly rounds, to retain his unified light heavyweight championship on Saturday night at the Bell Center in Montreal.

Kovalev (29-0-1, 26 KO) promised to end Pascal’s career after the challenger upped the ante by repeatedly calling him a racist during the hype for the fight, and he might have done just that.

The beating was through, complete and cold, with Kovalev admitting to HBO’s Max Kellerman in the ring after the fight that he was intentionally prolonging the carnage to punish Pascal further. It was typical Krusher and underscored what makes him one of the most feared operators in the sport today.

Kovalev also called out lineal and WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson, calling him a chicken and making clucking noises, which drew his rival into the ring for an angry confrontation.

Unfortunately, the chances of that fight happening seem worse than ever.

Kovalev does still appear to be on track for a huge showdown with Andre Ward, who was also ringside and is slated for a March return to the ring, later in the year.

In the co-feature, undefeated Russian welterweight prospect Dmitry Mikhaylenko remained undefeated with a near-shutout decision over veteran former contender Karim Mayfield.

The judges favored Mikhaylenko by scores of 100-90, 100-90 and 99-91.

Mikhaylenko (21-0, 9 KO) overwhelmed and outworked Mayfield (19-3-1, 11 KO), who took the fight on short notice, with a high volume of punches in a tremendously underwhelming fight.

Kevin McRae is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. You can follow him on Twitter @McRaeWrites.