So, what happens after Ward v. Kovalev?

[Superbee]

I wonder why people still think boxers have anything to do with dealing fights...

Anyway... Next year's gonna be my guy's year ...

[GMAN SUPREME]

the winner will try to get chickenson in the ring and chickenson will duck once again.

[Sun_Tzu]

Kov vs Stevenson I hope or Ward vs Stevenson. I still cant see Ward beating Kovalev but if he does thats the fight that needs to be made.

[Kigali]

the winner will try to get chickenson in the ring and chickenson will duck once again.

Kovelev called Adonis a chicken and ran from his own post fight interview the second he saw Stevenson.

I've never seen that.

He just gave Stevenson the mic.

[Kigali]

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.

[Wolfie*]

I wonder why people still think boxers have anything to do with dealing fights...

Anyway... Next year's gonna be my guy's year ...

Stevenson was the one who walked away and jump shipped to showtime and al haymon when there were agreements in place to fight one kovalev. It's mainly Stevenson's fault leaving hbo.

[GMAN SUPREME]

Kovelev called Adonis a chicken and ran from his own post fight interview the second he saw Stevenson.

I've never seen that.

He just gave Stevenson the mic.

you're delusional and clueless as always.after kovalev called chickenson a puzzy in his own hometown he stood there he didn't run it was chickenson who was doing the whole fake hold me back routine.

[SeekDaGreat]

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?

Winner fights Stevenson, and Betterbeaver in no particular order!!

[Scipio2009]

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?

Roc Nation has no issue with Showtime, Andre Ward is free of HBO after the Kovalev fight, and Kathy Duva's actions have made it utterly clear that she's not up for negotiating the fight.

Ward goes to Showtime, set the stage for the fight for early 2017/summer 2017 on SHOPPV/Canadian PPV (depending on any possible hangups about mandatory challengers, which I doubt).

If Ward wins that fight, he's got all of the belts, is the kingpin of 175, and arguably the money fight at the weight class (with the likely backing of MGM Resorts/Barclays Center/Oracle Arena).

With money being at a premium, I have no doubt that Showtime's commitment to boxing, in addition to the various 175 fighters in their orbit, sways the deal for Ward/Roc Nation.

[Scipio2009]

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..

With Ward's deal with HBO finished, I doubt that Duva agrees to let Ward dictate the TV (which will leave her risking her company's relationship with HBO), putting the notion of a rematch in doubt.

Beyond that, Beterbiev is already 31, Gvodzyk is 29, and Bivol is 25; in 2-3 years the odds that two of your three are already on their way out isn't all that unheard of.