LOS ANGELES — Russian power puncher Sergey Kovalev got back into the win column on Saturday, making quick work of Vyacheslav Shabranskyy with a second round technical knockout win to reclaim the WBO light heavyweight title. Kovalev, who was coming off a pair of back-to-back losses to Andre Ward, looked like his old dynamite self in knocking down the Ukraine fighter three times in the first two rounds before the referee stopped it with 24 seconds left in the second at New York's Madison Square Garden. Kovalev got himself back in the 175-pound division mix as he finished Shabranskyy off late in the second round. The referee stopped it with Kovalev landing punches at will as a defenseless Shabranskyy stumbled backwards. I did it, said Kovalev, who improved to 31-2-1. I know that I am back. The 34-year-old Kovalev knocked Shabranskyy down for the first time in the fight with a right hand to the head halfway through the opening round. Then with 20 seconds left he connected again with an overhand right followed by a left hook that sent his opponent to the canvas. Kovalev continued the onslaught in the second, scoring another knockdown with 65 seconds left and then quickly finishing it off. It is my goal to be best in this division. The last fight I was stopped and it was an illegal decision by referee. I am ready to fight for all the titles, Kovalev said. Now that he has the WBO belt back in his grasp, Kovalev plans to recapture WBA and IBF titles. He lost all three belts when he suffered consecutive losses to Ward, who then retired leaving the WBO title vacant. This was also Kovalev's first fight with his new coach Abror Tursunpulatov whom he hired after firing former trainer John David Jackson. Charr ends Germany's 85-year wait for a champion Just two years after being shot, Manuel Charr has ended Germany's 85-year wait for a world heavyweight champion and dedicated his victory over Alexander Ustinov to his adopted home country. What can I say, Germany — we are world champions, Charr roared after his unanimous decision victory in Oberhausen landed him the vacant WBA world title. I dedicate this title to Germany, the country which gave me a chance and built me up. This is my gift to you all. Charr is Germany's first world heavyweight champion since Max Schmeling reigned from 1930-1932. On Saturday, Charr was the clear winner after bringing Ustinov to his knees in the eighth round and the judges scored the fight 114-111, 116-111 and 115-112 to the German. Anthony Joshua is the reigning WBA 'Super' heavyweight champion and the victory over Ustinov could open the door for Charr to a bout with the British boxer. The win for Beirut-born Charr, who arrived in Germany as a five-year-old, completes his remarkable comeback from two setbacks, which would have ended the careers of a less-determined boxer. In September 2015, he was left fighting for his life after being shot in the stomach following an altercation at a kebab restaurant in Essen. Charr returned to the ring just seven months later, bearing the scars of the attack on his abdomen. Then came another setback earlier this year when both hips had to be replaced. In the last two years, I have experienced everything that one possibly can, said Charr. From being shot to having two new hips, but I gritted my teeth. The doctors told me, it is a medical miracle. Charr seemed to be in trouble in the first six rounds as the 2.02 meter-tall Ustinov, who had a 22.5 kilo weight advantage, dominated the fight. However, as the Russian tired, Charr got stronger. In the seventh round, Charr had the Russian on the ropes and although Ustinov withstood the blows, he was forced to his knees in the eighth. A vicious left hook cut the Russian under his left eye, but with blood streaming down his face, Ustinov was saved by the bell. Charr finished the stronger for a deserved win, the 31st of his career Raised in Berlin and Essen, this was Charr's second shot at a world title. His previous attempt ended in a fourth-round defeat when he was stopped by ex-WBC champion Vitali Klitschko in 2012. — AFP