Ward vs. Kovalev 2 takes place Saturday, June 17 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT.

With so many good fights in boxing recently, do you feel extra pressure to perform well for the fans? Do you think that if you win the rematch you will be the best P4P fighter in the world? What else is there for you to do in the light heavyweight division if you win again?

“I always want to put on a great show for the fans. I value and appreciate boxing fans, that’s first and foremost. Last fight, we definitely put on a show. That said, I can’t go into a fight thinking about its entertainment value. I just need to do me, execute the game plan and get my hand raised at the end of the fight.

“As far as being the best pound-for-pound fighter, I leave it to those who have a say. I know where I stand, I know what I’ve accomplished in this sport and how I stack up against today’s elite fighters. At the same time, I don’t have a vote, so I’ll leave it to those who do. If they have me at the top, I’m thankful. If not, I’m going to just keep working.”

Some people in boxing and media had criticized your trainer. What do you like about him and why do you think he’s the best trainer for you?

Sergey Kovalev

“I do not have complaints against my trainer, John David Jackson. It was my personal mistake. We have been together for many fights and are working now for this fight on June 17. For each training camp he helps me to work on what I need to do to beat whoever I am fighting. John understands that I have offense and defense. Some coaches only do one thing. My training was a problem last time, but it was my physical training, not my boxing training. I feel John will help me now to win this second fight against Andre Ward.”