By Radio Rahim
Light heavyweight contender Andre Ward (30-0, 15KOs) is not being distracted, or riled up, by any of the statements being made by IBF/WBA/WBO champion Sergey Kovalev (30-0, 26KOs) and his trainer John David Jackson.
Ward will challenge Kovalev for the titles on November 26th from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. HBO Pay-Per-View will carry the fight.
This will be Ward's third fight at the light heavyweight division. After dominating the super middleweight ranks for several years, Ward made the jump to 175-pounds back in March and won a dominating decision over Sullivan Barrera. He fought again last month, with another dominating decision over Alexander Brand.
Kovalev and Jackson have been airing out a lot of their strategy. They are not only looking for a victory - they want a knockout victory. Kovalev has promised 'kick Ward's ass' and live up to his nickname - 'The Krusher.'
"They are obviously doing a lot of talking, too much talking if you ask me. I didn't come from the era where we're going to tell you what we're going to do to you - we just do it. I don't understand that line of thinking. He made a comment from what I heard about getting in my head or something like that... that's literally impossible. I've been boxing too long, I've experienced too much in the sport. It's impossible, it's not going to happen - they are barking up the wrong tree when it comes to that," Ward told BoxingScene.com.
Kovalev recently lashed out at Ward over an incident which allegedly took place prior to their New York press conference. According to Kovalev, he tried to say hello and Ward allegedly blew him off and walked right past him.
"I don't know him. This is a man that is literally preparing to try to hurt me and take food off my table. How can you befriend an individual like that" Do I have anything personal against him or wish him any harm in our fight? Absolutely not. But there is no love, we're not cool. I'm going to go across the room and shake his hand before we fight," Ward said.
"But as you've seen with all my fights - I'm very intense and locked in for all my fights, but I think I've shown everybody respect after."