Kovalev on Andre Ward: 'I don't know if I can beat him

[Mr. Philadel]

Real recognize real....both are real fighters and they BOTH know what type of problems the other can cause....call me whatever you want but I get a hard on whenever I think about this fight...damn I can't wait till the bell goes ding for round one...I might climax on myself LMAO

[LoadedWraps]

Both fighters seem to be aware of the challenge that the other poses. Which is how it should be. One of the bright spots for this year in boxing, which has been pretty disappointing.

Is that recent? If so, I find it to be a positive thing and the sign of a healthy mentality. At Andre's last fight I thought the constant, big smile on Kov's face looked blatantly fake. The type of thing someone does to hide discomfort. No one smiles for 2 hours straight unless they're at Disneyland and being in a crowded venue with people constantly bugging you isn't continually a fun thing.

Hearing him being down to earth means he's not overlooking Ward. He's going to realize the threat and muster up all he has. An over-confident Kovalev would play into Ward's hands. However, a serious and cautious Kovalev is going to be at his best. Compared to his other opponents, he's going to be going up 2 or 3 levels in competition when he fights Ward.

It's as close to a pickem fight as you can get. It's the best fight that can be made in the sport.

good, they both know its a real fight.

Pretty much this ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[////]

Kovalev has always said Ward will be a big challenge.

I don't think the Adonis Stevenson situation was an act. I think he really saw him as a protected tomato can and just said what everyone else was already thinking.

Kovalev-Stevenson is a real 50-50 fight. Of course his approach will need to be different.

[LetOutTheCage]

“I don’t know if I can beat him,” Kovalev said in a remarkable bit of honesty considering the bravado often found in boxing. “But I want to fight him. It’s a huge test for me.”

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While details of his next fight remain unsettled, the plan is for a late-June date, prompting Kovalev to return to the gym this week.

“I am back,” Kovalev said Saturday in an interview with The Times and Ring magazine.

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Kovalev (29-0-1, 26 knockouts) is seeking a summer interim bout in his native Russia, saying his promoter, Kathy Duva, and manager, Egis Klimas, are aiming for a fight date of June 18 or June 25, with negotiations ongoing at multiple sites, including arenas in Moscow and Sochi.

“It’s good for me, for Russian boxing fans and lots of fans in Europe who want to see my fights live and have found it hard to get to,” in the U.S. or Canada, Kovalev said.

Klimas said the talks need to be done “like yesterday,” adding that if the site and opponent aren’t finalized in two weeks, the fight date would move to July.

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Ward is also looking to stay sharp with a summer fight near his Oakland base.

Link to the actual article? I would be surprised if Kovalev actually said this.

[fanofslug]

Kovalev is trying to trick Ward into a fight. He knows his only chance of getting that pansy to commit to a fight is to appear weak and uncertain.

[Ray*]

I dont see that as a weakness. They are both playing a game of putting the pressure on the other guy.

[Ray*]

Link to the actual article? I would be surprised if Kovalev actually said this.

ESnews...Ellie sechbach has a video of Kovalev saying those exact words TWICE when interviewed on his way out after the Ward-Barrera fight.

[LetOutTheCage]

ESnews...Ellie sechbach has a video of Kovalev saying those exact words TWICE when interviewed on his way out after the Ward-Barrera fight.

I don't think he would have taken the fight unless he was confident he could win, probably just playing mind games.

[Ray*]

I don't think he would have taken the fight unless he was confident he could win, probably just playing mind games.

Of course its mind games. Do you really think he doesnt think he WOULD win? lol

[LetOutTheCage]

Of course its mind games. Do you really think he doesnt think he WOULD win? lol

Um that's what I just said so...