Kovalev-Ward possible at 175

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    Andre Ward - Sergey KovalevIs it likely that we may never get a Sergey Kovalev versus Adonis Stevenson fight?

    I’d say very likely at least for the near future. Stevenson is with Al Haymon and will likely be on the PBC platform for years to come while Kovalev has re-upped with the network that made him a star in HBO.

    Kovalev has a fight on July 25th against his mandatory for the IBF title. So where is his next big fight? It may be against Andre Ward.

    Ward will be making his return to the ring against Paul Smith next weekend at a catch weight of 172 lbs., giving insiders some speculation that there might be a move up in the near future. His trainer, Virgil Hunter told ThaBoxingVoice.com that the catch weight was put in place to see how Ward feels with a move up in weight. So it’s possible that you could see Ward campaigning at 175 in the near future.

    Kathy Duva of Main Events, Kovalev’s promoter told On The Ropes Boxing that such a fight is a possibility.

    “Yes, that is the mega fight,” Duva said. You have Andre Ward, who if he moves up to 175 pounds, he will immediately be put near the top of the 175 pound rankings, he is already in the top pound for pound rankings in the world. Sergey Kovalev is in the top ten pound for pound rankings, most people’s top five. If you have two fighters in the top five pound for pound fighting each other, that’s a big fight, it’s a big deal.”

    She expects the bout to take place next year.

    “I expect that fight is probably going to happen. I’ve already had conversations with his promoter, and they told me that one of their options was to have a fight with Sergey Kovalev next year. I’m happy to see Andre Ward’s next fight is at 172 pounds, let’s hope he makes his way up to 175.”