So, what happens after Ward v. Kovalev?

[10COUNT]

They are pretty much at the top of the division. If one clearly wins with no need of a rematch, where does he go from there?

[Gentblue]

They are pretty much at the top of the division. If one clearly wins with no need of a rematch, where does he go from there?

Stevenson said he wants winner

[BodiesInFlight]

Stevenson said he wants winner

[Eastcoast]

Kovalev has to fight Jurgen Brahmer after he beats Ward, but Beterbiev is coming on line, Gvozdyk and Shabranskyy are as well. Badou Jack is moving up next year he says. Andre Dirrell could easily move up as well. There'll be good fights.

[Pigeons]

GBP has Shabranskyy, Top Rank has Gvozdyk and Mekhontsev, PBC has Beterbiev and Alvarez.

There are a lot of mid-level LHWs out there: Braehmer, Cleverly, Fonfara, Smith Jr, Pascal, Chilemba, Gonzalez, etc.

The big one will be Ward vs. Stevenson though. It would unify all 4 belts and the lineal title. Stevenson has called Ward out in the past (http://www.boxingscene.com/team-stev...al-ward--66583) and PBC and RNS are starting to do business together (http://www.boxingscene.com/showtime-...r-23rd--108448, http://boxingjunkie.usatoday.com/201...r-dec-3-fight/).

[bojangles1987]

If Ward wins, his HBO contract is fulfilled and he can hopefully jump over to fight Stevenson on PBC. He'll probably take a less stellar fight in between.

If Kovalev wins, then there will be a short term outcry for a Stevenson unification and a better chance than has yet existed to make the fight. The main reason Duva walked away from the purse bid was almost definitely to avoid risking the Ward fight, and Stevenson has absolutely no reason to avoid Kovalev anymore. I still don't think it happens, though.

LHW has some up and comers to take on in the near future, so we'll keep an eye out for them.

[Derranged]

Boxingscene crashes for two weeks.....

[kafkod]

Stevenson said he wants winner

[Beercules]

Ward fans disappear.

[BoxingFan85]

If Ward wins then a definite rematch by contract; if Kovalev wins a close decision then a cry for rematch; if Kovalev wins by KO then he waits for the next WBA mandatory I guess..
In a couple of years when Ward and Kovalev are pretty much past their prime the next gen guys Gvodzyk, Bivol and Beterbiev will be earning their stripes for a title shot..