By Edward Chaykovsky
If everything falls into place, one of the biggest fights of the year will take place in the fall - with Andre Ward (29-0, 15KOs) challenging IBF/WBA/WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (29-0-1, 26KOs).
Ward, who dominated the competition at super middleweight, made his debut at 175-pounds last month with a twelve round decision win over previously undefeated Sullivan Barrera.
Kovalev was in action back in January, when he battered former WBC king Jean Pascal for a TKO win.
Both Ward and Kovalev are going to have interim-fights, likely in the summer, before facing each other at the end of the year.
"I don’t have a specific date or month, but I think summer is the perfect time to come back. I got a small cut [in the Barrera fight] and you get a suspension for any type of cut, I got a sixty day suspension and I have to respect the California commission’s decision to do that. I got my stitches out yesterday and I just have to let the cut heal. I think some time near July will be perfect," Ward told On The Ropes Boxing Radio.
Ward views Kovalev as the man to beat at 175-pounds.
"Absolutely, he’s done everything he needs to do, he’s the man to beat. He’s undefeated, he’s done everything that he’s supposed to do as a champion. He’s gone on the road, he’s fought the best in the division, he’s fought other champions and other top contenders," Ward said.
"I think he’s a well rounded fighter, I don’t see any weaknesses right now. I’ve seen him up close and personal, I’ve seen him on film and I think he’s complete."
"You got two undefeated fighters, two guys who know how to win, two champions, it’s going to be a great fight. It’s something you can’t miss that. I can’t tell you how it’s going to go round by round but it’s going to be a great fight."
