Sergey Kovalev vs. Eleider Alvarez official for August 4

Image: Sergey Kovalev vs. Eleider Alvarez official for August 4

By Allan Fox: After weeks of speculation, it’s now a done deal what WBO World light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (32-2-1, 28 KOs) will be defending on August 4 against #4 WBO Eleider “Storm” Alvarez (23-0, 11 KOs) at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.

read more

Daniel Jacobs vs. Maciej Sulecki close for April 28

Image: Daniel Jacobs vs. Maciej Sulecki close for April 28

By Dan Ambrose: Former IBF middleweight belt holder Daniel ‘Miracle Man’ Jacobs (33-2, 29 KOs) has a fight in the works against unbeaten junior middleweight contender Maciej Sulecki (26-0, 10 KOs) for April 28 on HBO Boxing at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

read more

Andre Ward’s contract with HBO expires

Image: Andre Ward’s contract with HBO expires

By Jim Dower: Light heavyweight champion and #1 pound-for-pound king Andre “SOG” Ward’s contract with HBO Boxing has expired, and he’s now a network free agent. There’s some who feel that Ward may leave his promoters at Roc Nation Sports and join up with Top Rank.

read more

Kovalev vs. Ward: Keys to the Fight

ward-kovalev (1)

By Ken Woods: The light heavyweight championship bout between Sergey Kovalev (30-0-1, 26 KOs) and Andre Ward (30-0, 15 KOs) is approximately a month away (Nov. 19, HBO pay-per-view) and is one of the most anticipated fights of the year. The keys to the battle are detailed below.

Andre Ward

Smother, smother, smother

Ward is a competent inside fighter and stronger than he appears. We have seen his ability to smother his opponent’s punches and invade their space in the Mikkel Kessler fight and the Carl Froch contest. He will need to do more of that in this match. Kovalev is very adept at keeping the contest on the outside, counter punching and setting traps. So, in order to nullify that strength, Ward will have to get close, restrict his punches and create angles for hooks and uppercuts. Also, stifling him will not allow him to get off with his power, which is his best asset.

read more