By Francisco Salazar

(LAS VEGAS, NEV.) - That was easy.

Or at least, Sergey Kovalev made it look easy.

Kovalev made short work of Nadjib Mohammedi, stopping him in the third round at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Kovalev successfully defended his multiple world title belts in the process.

The outcome was expected as Kovalev demonstrated again why some consider him to be the top light heavyweight in boxing today. Unfortunately, Mohammedi bore the brunt of that, overmatched despite having won 13 bouts in a row prior to the Kovalev fight.

Mohammedi was Kovalev's mandatory for the IBF title, stopping Anatoliy Dudchenko in June of last year.

Kovalev, who stopped Jean Pascal on March 14 in Montreal, was also defending his WBO and WBA world title belts.

After an opening round, Mohammedi, who resides in Marseilles, France and is of Algerian descent, attempted to use his awkward style to his advantage. But Kovalev's pedigree began to become evident in the second round, where the tide turned dramatically in Kovalev's favor.

Kovalev dropped Mohammedi midway through the second round, courtesy of a barrage of punches that began with an overhand right. To his credit, Mohammedi fought back, but it looked as though the inevitable would come should Mohammedi stay within Kovalev's range.

It did with over 30 seconds left in the third round. Kovalev unleashed a lead right hand, followed by a hard left jab to the head, dropping Mohammedi down to the canvas.

Mohammedi remained on one knee, while pawing towards his eye. While he barely beat the count, referee Kenny Bayless believed Mohammedi was in no shape to continue, stopping the bout at 2:38.

"Kovalev is a skilled fighter, but I got a thumb in the eye," was what Mohammedi said after the fight before being taken to an area hospital.

Kovalev seemed upset the bout was cut short.

"I'm very happy I got the victory," said Kovalev, who runs his record to 28-0-1, 25 KOs. "I told him to stand up. People didn't see a show. I wanted to continue fighting."

"I wanted more rounds," said Kovalev, who is promoted by Main Events. "I wanted him to look like a clown. I wanted him to look foolish. I think I gave a good fight. I wanted more rounds. I wished I would've given the fans more rounds."

Promoter Kathy Duva confirmed Kovalev will return to the ring in November in his home country of Russia. She will place a call with Yvon Michel to set up a clash with unbeaten Artur Beterbiev, but that could be unlikely since Beterbiev is advised by Al Haymon.

Main Events and Haymon do not do business together.

There is talk Kovalev could face Jean Pascal in a rematch in February in Montreal. Another option includes Andre Ward.

Whoever it is, Kovalev is open to fighting anybody.

"If Pascal wants it, I am ready. I'm ready for any fight, any opponent. It's boxing. If the fans want to make the fight and the promoters want it, I'm ready."

However much Pascal wants it, he nearly threw it away. The former light heavyweight champion appeared in the evening's co-feature, winning a hard-fought yet controversial 10 round decision over Yuniesky Gonzalez.

It was Pascal's first bout since being stopped in the eighth round at the hands of Sergey Kovalev in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Gonzalez, a virtual unknown to many boxing fans, came into the bout unbeaten, but had no wins against a legit contender.

The bout figured to be a tune-up for Pascal, considering there is talks for Kovalev and Pascal to face each other in a rematch in February.

What boxing fans got was a surprisingly even fight, one where exchanges provided fight fans in attendance to cheer loudly.

Gonzalez was the aggressor from the opening bell, taking the fight to Pascal. Gonzalez rained down punches, some to the back of the head of Pascal.

As the bout continued into the middle rounds, Pascal began working the body. He also timed Gonzalez, landing counter right hands and left hooks to the head.

Gonzalez began to tire in the final two rounds. Pascal looked equally tired and was not able to capitalize as he should have.

All three judges scored the bout 96-94 in favor of Pascal. The crowd booed the decision, one that left Gonzalez despondent and emotional in the ring.

Pascal goes to 30-3-1, 17 KOs while Gonzalez drops to 16-1, 12 KOs.

Both bouts aired live on HBO's World Championship Boxing series.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (CA) Star newspaper, RingTV, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing