By Allan Fox: Andre “SOG” Ward will be getting a nice purse of $6.5 million guaranteed in the biggest payday of his 13-year pro career in his rematch tonight against former light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev.
Sergey Kovalev
Can Andre Ward win without the judges help?
By Yannis Mihanos: The first match between Andre “SOG” Ward (31-0, 15 KOs) and light heavyweight world champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (30-1-1, 26 KOs) ended in controversy with Kovalev fuming about robbery after Ward won a 12 unanimous decision on points on November 19 last year in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Duva: Kovalev fights better when he’s angry
By Jeff Aranow: Kathy Duva, the promoter for Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev, says he’s angry and ready to avenge his loss to Andre “SOG” Ward on Saturday night. Duva says that Kovalev always fights better when he’s angry. She points out that Kovalev in his rematches with Darnell Boone and Jean Pascal, and he destroyed both of those guys.
Ward v Kovalev: A Real Life Rocky Story
By Ben Sutherland: Tony Bellew v Ilunga Makabu was advertised as a real life rocky story by promoter Eddie Hearn. This branding was largely based off Bellew’s role in the Creed movie where he played “Pretty” Ricky Conlan. However, after a controversial first encounter, this weekend’s rematch between Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev, provides us with plenty of parallels with what is arguably the most compelling of the rocky story-lines.
Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev 2 – Weights
By Jim Dower: Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev both tipped the scales at 175 pounds at their weigh-in for Saturday night’s rematch at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The two fighters looked in great shape with neither of them appearing weight drained. Ward, 33, looked a little tired, but other than that, he looked in fighting shape. The two fighters had a long stare down with Ward saying something to Kovalev while smiling at him.
Ward vs. Kovalev 2 hurt by Mayweather-McGregor announcement?
By Allan Fox: Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev 2 rematch may have been hurt by the announcement of the news of the August 26 mega-fight between boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. coming out of retirement to face the UFC’s biggest star Conor McGregor on Showtime PPV. It’s unclear why Mayweather chose to have his fight with McGregor announced during the middle of fight week for the Ward-Kovalev 2 rematch on HBO PPV.
Kovalev tells Ward: “Get prepared,” then storms out of press conference
By Jeff Aranow: Former IBF/WBA/WBC light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev gave Andre Ward a stern warning before storming out of Thursday’s press conference ahead of their fight this Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Event Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kovalev looked angry like he wants to give Ward a thrashing on Saturday night.
Hunter says Ward has backup plan if he gets dropped by Kovalev
By Allan Fox: Trainer Virgil Hunter says Andre “SOG” Ward has a specific backup plan that he’ll be implementing if he gets dropped this Saturday night in his rematch with Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. If the 33-year-old Ward (31-0, 15 KOs) gets knocked to the canvas by the hard hitting Kovalev (30-1-1, 26 KOs), then he’ll be using the same plan that he had in his first fight, says Hunter.
Kovalev-Ward 2: The Judges who will Crown the King
By Donavan Leonard: Saturday June 17th Sergey Kovalev (30-1-1, 26 KOs) and Andre Ward (31-0, 15 KOs) will square off once again to determine the holder of the most belts in the light heavyweight division. Much has been documented about the controversial scoring in the first fight, where Ward was deemed the winner by identical scores of 114-113 despite throwing 137 fewer punches, connecting on 10 fewer punches, and being knocked down by Kovalev.
Kovalev: Ward will pay for his trash talk on Saturday night
By Allan Fox: Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (30-1-1, 26 KOs) says he’s going to make light heavyweight champion Andre “SOG” Ward (31-0, 15 KOs) pay for all his trash talking when he gets him inside he ring on Saturday night in their rematch at the Mandalay Bay Resort Event Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. During the Tuesday’s grand arrivals at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Kovalev let it be known that he’s going to take it out on Ward inside the ring for all the talking he’s been doing. Kovalev wants to make Ward and Team Ward pay on Saturday night on June 17.