Sergey Kovalev is looking to get right back into it after thrashing Vyacheslav Shabranskyy a month ago. ESPN reports that “Krusher” and his team are close to finalizing a deal to fight IBO champ Igor Mikhalkin in the featured attraction of a March 4th HBO show from Madison Square Garden.

The planned co-feature pits WBA champ Dmitry Bivol against mandatory challenger Sullivan Barrera.

Mikhalkin (21-1, 9 KO) has won ten straight and handed Thomas Oosthuizen his first official defeat in May. He went on to fight Doudou Ngumbu two weeks ago, taking home a unanimous decision after settling for a split in their first match.

He’s a solid opponent for Kovalev (31-2-1, 27 KO), around Shabranskyy’s level, but the real attraction is the co-main. Bivol (12-0, 10 KO) should have fought Barrera (21-1, 14 KO) when the title first became vacant, but it’s still one of the better fights that can be made in the current light heavyweight division.

We’ll let you know when and if this show comes together.