By Radio Rahim

Former super middleweight champion Andre Ward (28-0, 15KOs) is getting prepared for a very big 2016.

He recently signed a new multi-fight deal with HBO. Ward is moving up to the light heavyweight division next year. Ward plans to have at least three fights, with the third being an HBO Pay-Per-View showdown with IBF/WBA/WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (28-0-1, 25KOs).

Ward had hoped to face middleweight champion Gennady "GGG" Golovkin (34-0, 31KOs). The Olympic gold medal winner says Golovkin was initially asking for a catch-weight of 164-pounds and then his promoter completely rejected the contest. He was told by Golovkin's handlers that a date in 2017 was possible.

"I can show you an email that I have right now," Ward said. "His promoter told me 'maybe in 2017.'"

Ward wants to fight the very best out there and he considers Kovalev to be a tougher challenge than Golovkin - due to the difference in size, strength and their professional experience. He feels Kovalev has beaten a higher caliber of opponent than Golovkin has.

"I think [Kovalev is a tougher challenge]. Moving up in weight is never an easy thing to do. He's bigger, he's stronger and in my opinion he's a better fighter.  I think that if you look at their resumes, there is no comparison between Kovalev's resume and Golovkin's resume - there's just not," Ward said.