Will Duva find away to stop the Ward-Kovalev fight from happening?

[Eastcoast]

I know this crap fits your agenda, but WTF are you talking about? When was Ward supposed to fight Stevenson?

Stevenson's team presented Ward with a 2-fight offer following his KO win over Dawson. First fight in Oakland at 168lbs, 2nd fight in Montreal at 175lbs (Stevenson had just moved up to 175 for Dawson after being Froch's mandatory at 168). Ward said no, that Stevenson had to become a bigger name first.

http://www.torontosun.com/2013/06/11...e-to-fight-him

MONTREAL - Newly-minted WBC light-heavyweight champ Adonis Stevenson wants a piece of undefeated American Andre Ward, but the feeling isn’t mutual.

Ward, considered the No. 2 pound-for-pound pugilist in the world behind Floyd Mayweather, says Stevenson (21-1-0, 18 KOs) doesn’t have the track record to warrant a title fight.

The WBA super middleweight champion (26-0, 14 KOs) says Stevenson won’t get a shot until he has “won some big fights.”

But Ward might have trouble saying no if Stevenson’s devastating first-round knockout of American Chad Dawson on Saturday piques interest in the power-punching, late-blooming Montrealer.

His promoter, Yvon Michel, told QMI Agency that he’ll meet HBO top brass next week to try to hammer out a deal that would see Stevenson fight Ward on U.S. soil at 168 pounds, on one condition.

“(Ward must) sign a two-fight deal that guarantees a return to Montreal at 175 pounds,” said Michel. “We won’t give (Ward) all of the advantages!”

HBO commentators were dazzled by Stevenson’s left cross that felled Dawson, with analyst Max Kellerman calling the bout a “star-making performance.”

Stevenson only began boxing at age 29, but has knocked out his last eight opponents. He says Ward, who was at ringside at the Bell Centre on Saturday, simply wants to avoid Dawson’s fate.

“Ward definitely wants to delay this to avoid facing me,” said the champ. “It took him 10 rounds to defeat Chad Dawson. It took me how many seconds? Ah yes, 76. Ward is crazy to say I’m not ready.”

[Sun_Tzu]

I get your point but has something like that ever happened? would you think she'd check with RN to see if they were sending anyone?

Maybe Jay-Z was feeding Blue while Beyonce is on tour and couldn't make it.

I said it in another post. It's cool if Ward doesn't go. He just fought and I understand but damn, RN should have sent someone. It looks bad on RN and they represent Ward which makes Ward look bad. I do think she would have reached out to RN to have a Rep there for Andre, I would have but that doesn't mean she did but I would assume they knew about it. If they didn't she is a daft *****.

[OnePunch]

We're talking about the same broad that demanded a WBC purse bid, stated that she was bringing Russian high rollers to this purse bid, got her bluff called, then backed out because she was no match for Team Stevenson.

Given the history of both promotional companies, it seems as if once again, Duva is bluffing and will do something behind the scenes to sabotage the best fight in boxing.

why do people keep repeating this LIE? She did not demand a purse bid. She requested that Kov be named as mando, thinking that would bring Haymon and GYM to the table to negotiate. She was wrong, and got outplayed. Instead of negotiating, GYM called for a purse bid, at which time Duva withdrew. That was mistake #2 on her part, as she should have let the bid take place and make her decision after the bid. Whether she withdrew before the bid or after the bid, the result would have been the same......

[therealpugilist]

Honestly a solid chance. Honestly a solid chance Roc Nation f#cks it up. Both of these promotions are their own worst enemies it seems or just run by incompetent dummies, you choose.

I sorta regret making a bet this fight would happen this year now. I fully believe Kovalev wanted the fight. I fully believe Ward wanted the fight. I just didn't fully consider how f#cking ****** each sides promoter was to potentially mess up this somewhere along the way.

Hopefully this is all a lil bump in the road & these two functional ****** promotion presidents can make things come together with their personal mental health professional, social worker or caretaker giving them their medicine and getting them focused on putting this card together.

yea...it doesnt seem like the fighters would prevent this....they know how important it is for their legacies and pockets


RN and ME are gonna get paid regardless if this fight happens or not, they have a stable

[-PBP-]

why do people keep repeating this LIE? She did not demand a purse bid. She requested that Kov be named as mando, thinking that would bring Haymon and GYM to the table to negotiate. She was wrong, and got outplayed. Instead of negotiating, GYM called for a purse bid, at which time Duva withdrew. That was mistake #2 on her part, as she should have let the bid take place and make her decision after the bid. Whether she withdrew before the bid or after the bid, the result would have been the same......

Who cares what she did? She requested him to be mando to make the fight happen. When the fight became possible (purse bid is the ONLY way it would ever get done) she bailed.

She got her bluff called. And I'm just going to sit back and wait for her to make a fool of herself again here.

[eco1]

Guys, Kovalev showed up.

I think it was more demanding to sign autographs and take pics on Saturday than fight Brand.

At least Rn should have sent someone. Even when i believe AW should have been there, not like he fought Ali or Foreman....

[boliodogs]

No. Kovalev wanted the fight well over a year ago. Ward is the one who stalled and put the fight off with multiple tune up fights. They aren't the least bit afraid of Ward and I believe Kovalev will win by KO. If Ward tries to get the fight in Oakland they would balk and rightfully so.

[Madison Boxing]

ward and his time might, considering it was them that didnt show up to the press conference

[OnePunch]

Who cares what she did? She requested him to be mando to make the fight happen. When the fight became possible (purse bid is the ONLY way it would ever get done) she bailed.

She got her bluff called. And I'm just going to sit back and wait for her to make a fool of herself again here.

apparently you do, since you are the one posting that she demanded a purse bid, when in fact she did not

why do people get so defensive when proven wrong?

[The Comic DON]

We're talking about the same broad that demanded a WBC purse bid, stated that she was bringing Russian high rollers to this purse bid, got her bluff called, then backed out because she was no match for Team Stevenson.

Given the history of both promotional companies, it seems as if once again, Duva is bluffing and will do something behind the scenes to sabotage the best fight in boxing.

If the fight doesn't happen it's because Ward's a fraud. Stop looking for loopholes so you can still support Princess Dre if he pulls out the fight.