Kovalev: I Doubt Andre Ward Retires, It's Not in His Best Interest

By Vadim Pushkin

Sergey Kovalev (30-1, 26 KOs) is counting down the days to determine the next course for his career.

The last time he was in the ring, last November, he lost a close twelve round unanimous decision to Andre Ward at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Ward, who was down in the second round, captured the Kovalev's WBA, WBO and IBF light heavyweight world titles.

Kovalev exercised his right to an immediate rematch. Per the contract terms that were agreed upon by both fighters, Ward (31-0, 15 KOs) is unable to take another fight.

As previously reported on BoxingScene.com, Kovalev will travel to the United States on February 20th, and then will come together with his coach John David Jackson to begin training for his next outing in the ring.

Kovalev is fully focused on fighting Ward, but there have been some delays in beginning the negotiations for the rematch. Ward is willing to do the fight again, but only under the right conditions. If those conditions aren't met, Ward has even threatened the possibility of retiring to focus on his career as an expert analyst for HBO and other networks.

"[My next move], everything will depend on negotiations with Ward. If for some reason the terms of the contract are violated.... if, for example, Ward ends his career... But I do not think he will do it. That would not be in his best interest," Kovalev told Elena Sobol.

Kovalev would not reveal the financial penalty for the possibility of Ward violating the contractual clause for an immediate rematch.

"I can not disclose the amount and in principle I can't divulge the details [of those terms]. In the contract, however, he was required to provide a rematch in the event that I lost. The main thing is that my lawyer has checked [everything in the contract] and confirmed every detail that was discussed with my manager - that there would definitely have to be a rematch if Ward wins."