MENU
A Blockbuster Bout
A match-up between two pound for pound elites is set to happen on November 19 at the T-Mobile Arena is Las Vegas, Nevada. Former super middleweight champion Andre Ward will move up in weight to challenge Light Heavyweight king Sergey Kovalev in a highly anticipated match that is guaranteed to be a blockbuster.
SUPER-FIGHT! Sergey @KrusherKovalev to defend world titles vs @AndreWard. Full details: https://t.co/T0KCT3Ajxk pic.twitter.com/pGTptgThET
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) June 17, 2016
Although neither camps announced the specifics, that is now moot and academic because Main Events and Roc Nation Sports which handles both fighters have made a formal request for the date and venue with the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Thursday.
Still A Contingent Event
The Ward-Kovalev bout has been agreed in principle for quite some time now. It was signed by both parties on the premise that both fighters win their respective interim bouts this summer. Kovalev will defend his unified title against Top 10 contender Isaac Chilemba on July 11 during a homecoming bout in Russia.
Ward on the other hand will fight a still unnamed foe at the Oracle Arena in his backyard of California, possibly on August 6. The 32 year old Ward vacated his 168 pound title to move up to 175. He made his light heavyweight debut against then undefeated Sullivan Barrera last March 26 and won by a wide decision. Incidentally, Ward has never fought in Las Vegas despite his high profile status. He will be making his Sin City appearance in the biggest fight of his life.
The Krusher
Known as the Krusher for his ridiculous knockout power, Kovalev is unbeaten in 30 bouts where he has 29 wins, 1 draw and 26 knockouts. The 33 year old Krusher is coming off a 7th round TKO win over Jean Pascal. Kovalev has made seven consecutive defenses of the WBO Light Heavyweight , annexing the WBA and IBF title in 2014 with his signature victory over the legendary Bernard Hopkins. Aside from Hopkins and Pascal, Kovalev has notable wins over Nathan Cleverly, Blake Caparello and Gabriel Campillo.
Like Kovalev, Ward is unbeaten. The California native has a record of 29-0 with 15 KOs. A former Olympic Gold medalist, Ward won the Super Six World Middleweight Classic in 2011. Ward beat the likes of Arthur Abraham, Mikkell Kessler and Carl Froch.
Ward-Kovalev is currently a pick’em fight with both fighters pegged at 110 in majority of the books.
