By Ryan Burton

WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson (27-1) has had his name mentioned along with WBA/IBF/WBO champion Sergey Kovalev for over two years.  Fans have clamored for the unification fight that would produce an undisputed champion but the dream fight has failed to materialize for several reasons.

The current plan for the premium network HBO is for Kovalev to face Andre Ward in November in a pay-per-view bout.

The former super middleweight and Super Six tournament winner made his debut as a full fledged light heavyweight last month and won a dominant unanimous decision over the then unbeaten Sullivan Barrera.

Stevenson thought that Ward looked good but feels that he needs to show more than he did against Barrera if he is going to defeat Kovalev.

"He fought the Cuban and he had a lot more experience (than Barrera) but I think he needs three or four more fights to be ready if he wants to beat Kovalev. Kovalev, you know, he has power and you need to be a full light heavyweight. If you want to beat Kovalev, you need to have power to get his respect, to beat him. I think Ward needs 2-3 more tune up fights if he wants to beat the Krusher," said Stevenson.

"He looked good but I don't think he can fight like that against a power puncher. He fought well but against Kovalev he needs to bring more than that. He needs more than just two or three fights to beat Kovalev. You need power to beat him."

Kovalev is scheduled to return to the ring this summer and after the Barrera fight, Ward said that he would like one more fight before facing the unified champion. If all goes according to that plan, Stevenson feels that Kovalev would be the favorite.

"Right now if they fought next I would go with Kovalev - but - if Ward fights two or three more fights first, then it's a 50-50 fight," said Stevenson.

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