Sergey Kovalev earned a hard-fought unanimous points decision against Isaac Chilemba to stay on course for a big pay-per-view bout against Andre Ward.In only his third professional fight in his homeland, U.S.-based Kovalev (30-0-1, 26 KOs) could not produce the knockout performance he wanted at the DIVS Sports Palace in Ekaterinburg, Russia, Monday.It was Kovalevs poorest performance in his three-year reign as world light-heavyweight champion that will have been encouraging viewing for Ward at home in Oakland. However, Kovalevs status as unified world light-heavyweight champion was never in doubt at the end of 12 rounds and he was awarded scores of 117-110, 116-111 and 118-109.Malawi-born Chilemba (24-4-2, 10 KOs) recovered from a seventh round knockdown to force Kovalev to go the distance for just the fourth time in his career. Only Bernard Hopkins had managed to go to points with Kovalev in eight previous world title fights after a disappointing and unimaginative display from the Russian.It also sets up a big bout next against Ward at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 19. Undefeated former super-middleweight world champion Ward (29-0, 15 KO) will have to overcome Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 KOs) on Aug. 6 in his own interim bout before the fight with Kovalev is confirmed.The fight with Ward has become a more interesting prospect after Florida-based Kovalev failed to dominate the first half of the fight against a plucky challenger.Chilemba, 29, had lost his previous fight -- controversially on points to Eleider Alvarez in Nov. -- in a WBC world title eliminator. Despite that setback, Chilemba still got his shot at Kovalevs WBA, IBF and WBO world light-heavyweights titles and proved a stubborn opponent.The challenger got through with some right hands and Ward will have been encouraged to see how Chilemba managed to land in the fourth round when Kovalev was caught coming forward with left jabs.Kovalev began finding his range and rhythm later in the fifth round but in the sixth was caught flush by a left hook. Kovalevs biggest weapon is his right hand which Chilemba finally found out about in the seventh round.The Russian followed a straight left with a right to the jaw which left Chilemba staggering across the ropes and down for a count. Had there been more time left in the round, Kovalev might have finished it there and then.Chilemba was hurt again late in the eighth round after being caught with a left to the chin but Kovalev, looking tired, allowed his opponent to grow in confidence in round ten. Kovalev finished strong, with blood pouring from Chilembas nose, but his renowned power punching could not force the stoppage that his home crowd wanted.Kovalev has been based in the United States since turning professional seven years ago and last boxed in his homeland at the same venue five years ago. That bout ended in tragedy when Kovalevs opponent Roman Simakov, who was knocked out in the seventh round, died as a result of head injuries three days later. Pittsburgh Pirates Jerseys . Kiriasis and brakeman Franziska Fritz finished two runs in one minute 55.41 seconds -- a mere 0.01 seconds ahead of Meyers and Lolo Jones, who likely bolstered her Olympic hopes by helping give USA-1 a huge push in the second heat. Felipe Vazquez Jersey . Sulaiman, 44, was chosen unanimously Tuesday in a vote by the leadership, the World Boxing Council said. Sulaiman becomes the sixth president of the organization. http://www.piratesrookiestore.com/Pirates-Willie-Stargell-Kids-Jersey/ . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. Tyler Glasnow Jersey . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position. Josh Bell Jersey . The Croatian served 21 aces and hit 42 winners against Sijsling, who double-faulted to give Cilic a 4-3 lead in the deciding set. "All the players, they know me and they were really happy to see me and they were really happy that this is over for me," Cilic said. The Winnipeg Jets have had a tough, busy week. They hosted the Edmonton Oilers in The Heritage Classic on Sunday, the first outdoor game in franchise history, but were underwhelming in a 3-0 loss. Then they split a home-and-home matchup with the Dallas Stars, losing at Dallas on Tuesday and beating the Stars 4-1 at home on Thursday.Rookie sensation Patrik Laine was the hero of Thursdays win. He scored twice -- his fifth and sixth goals of the season -- to tie fellow rookie, Torontos Auston Matthews, for the NHL lead in goals.Weve only played seven games but its nice that Ive got those goals and helped my team to win with those goals, Laine told NHL.com after the Jets victory.Laine will try to keep the momentum going when the Jets play the second of a back-to-back set at the Colorado Avalanche on Friday. While the Jets will be playing for the fourth time in six days, Colorado is playing for the first time in a week. The Avalanche finished up a four-game Eastern Conference road trip against Florida on Oct. 21 and have been sitting idle since.A lot of good came from this week, Colorado coach Jared Bednar told hockeybuzz.com.The Avalanche are playing just their second home game. They opened the season with a 6-5 win over the Stars on Oct. 15 and then went 2-2 on its road trip, winning at Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay. The Avalanche have found the net often, except for a 3-0 loss at Washington on Oct. 18, but theyve given up plenty of goals, too. They allowed at least three goals in four games and twice gave up five.The week off might help them shore up their defense. It did help them get some players healthy and ready to go.Rookiie forward Mikko Rantanen was recalled from San Antonio of the AHL after rehabbing from an ankle injury.dddddddddddd Center John Mitchell, who missed the first five games with a hip injury, will likely make his season debut against Winnipeg and forward Rene Bourque is back after missing the last two games with a groin injury.It was tough, Bourque told The Denver Post. I felt like I got off to a good start, playing well. But you have to be careful. Its nice that we had a big break between games, almost a full week. That probably saved me from missing a few more games.It remains to be seen if the well-rested Avalanche will suffer from rust. They ended the road trip with a 5-2 loss to Florida but at 3-2 they are off to a better start than the last two seasons, which ended up with them missing the playoffs.The Jets (3-4-0) are looking for their first road win of the season against their Northwest Division rival.While Laine has had a strong start to his season, Colorado veteran winger Jarome Iginla has struggled. Iginla, 39, has one goal this season and is 12th on the NHL all-time list with 612 goals. He used this week off to try to get back on track.I would like to have been better, but its five games, Iginla told The Denver Post. Ive had some good games and Ive had some games I would like to have back. So Ill just keep going at it. Im feeling better daily as far as hands, and for whatever reason it usually takes me a little bit to find that groove, and hopefully this week of practice will help. 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