By Keith Idec
John David Jackson and Sergey Kovalev contend that the “mind games” they think Andre Ward and his handlers have played recently have only made their team stronger.
Jackson, Kovalev’s trainer, and Kovalev confirmed during a conference call Tuesday that they spoke last week after news spread regarding a BoxingScene.com exclusive in which Josh Dubin, Ward’s attorney and adviser, and James Prince, Ward’s manager, said Jackson called them earlier this year about switching sides prior to their rematch. Jackson acknowledged that he had discussions with Ward’s team, but stated that those on Ward’s side initiated the conversation.
“We talked about it,” Jackson said, referring to he and Kovalev. “Here’s what Ward’s team tried to do – they tried to disrupt our team because at this stage they know that’s all they really can do. If they wanna be honest about it, they can say we beat ‘em in the first fight, but [they] got the decision. OK, that’s part of boxing and our side accepts that.
“But now, to try to play mind games and try to make different maneuvers to offset our camp, you can’t do that. Our camp is strong. Actually, what they did – and I’m glad they did it – it made us even stronger and become closer. So I need to thank them for doing the things that they thought would offset our camp. It made camp better for us.”
Jackson again denied that he contacted Dubin and Prince, who also represent heavyweight contender Bryant Jennings, another fighter Jackson trains.
“For them to say I reached out to them – first of all, come on,” Jackson said. “Seriously? But if you wanna say that, fine, I have no problem with that. Come June 17th, all the things that Sergey wants and that he deserves to have back, which are his belts, he’s gonna get that because he’s gonna do what needs to be done, and that’s fight inside the ring – not talk.”
Kovalev added Tuesday that he doesn’t believe the claims made by Dubin and Prince. Like Jackson, Kovalev believes their revelation was a psychological ploy to disrupt their training camp for the light heavyweight championship rematch between Ward (31-0, 15 KOs) and Kovalev (30-1-1, 26 KOs) on June 17 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas (HBO Pay-Per-View).
“I don’t think John is as dumb as they’re trying to [say],” Kovalev said through Egis Klimas, his manager/translator. “I don’t think John is dumb, to go to the other side, where there is no guarantee if they’re gonna take him or not. And most likely, they contacted John and were trying to get some kind of strategy or some kind of secrets of my preparation for the fight.
“And then they got the answer, ‘No.’ Then they tried to raise a flag that John is trying to get [on] their side. This is what I see. If it would’ve come out where John reached them and tried to get [their] attention, then he will be like a spy. As far as now, I think we’re just stronger, we’re one team and we’re going forward.”
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.
