Kovalev needs Stevenson asap

[Eff Pandas]

I like that too and he should try to become Stevenson's mandatory but his next fight will definitely be on HBO so we can rule out Stevenson being his next fight.

Do we definitely know that?

I mean I think its highly likely, but he's 34 & lost two fights & to some people he more or less gave up in that 2nd fight.

I wouldn't bet on HBO dropping him, but there is more of a chance that he gets cut loose or let him fight outside of his HBO contract with his current status + depending on whats Ward's move is now & relationship will be with HBO.

[rickJen]

Good luck with trying to convince Adonis to fight Kovlev especially now that Sergey no longer have any titles. Excuses are easy to find this time.

[boliodogs]

It would be a great fight. Stevenson would rather fight Ward but I think Kovalev vs Stevenson would sell well. Stevenson doesn't do all that grabbing and wrestling. He just throws bombs like Kovalev. A KO ending one way or the other is almost certain.

[Joe Beamish]

Agreed, would be a good move for Kovalev if he can get it. He's 34, so time is definitely running out. Stevenson is nowhere near Ward's league as a fighter, but he's definitely dangerous, and the fight would be almost a guaranteed KO one way or the other.

[siablo14]

Do we definitely know that?

I mean I think its highly likely, but he's 34 & lost two fights & to some people he more or less gave up in that 2nd fight.

I wouldn't bet on HBO dropping him, but there is more of a chance that he gets cut loose or let him fight outside of his HBO contract with his current status + depending on whats Ward's move is now & relationship will be with HBO.

Duva said Kovalev will definitely fight later this year because they have one more fight on contract with HBO. If Duva hated dealing with Ward's team, she will hate having to deal with Stevenson's team.

[Eff Pandas]

Duva said Kovalev will definitely fight later this year because they have one more fight on contract with HBO. If Duva hated dealing with Ward's team, she will hate having to deal with Stevenson's team.

I thought she & Yvon Michel (GYM) have a good relationship?

But mainly I'm just saying its potentially possible HBO could cut him loose early or have no interest in his last fight if it isn't of a certain caliber guy. Duva & Kovalev have one fight left as you say, but HBO usually can cut you loose at any time. So if Ward still has a deal with HBO after this fight & there is lil upside to a trilogy after this last fight I could see them doubling down on Ward & just letting Kovalev go.

It sounds like they have little to worry about immediately, in particular if Roc Nation folds & Ward leaves to ESPN/ABC with Top Rank as the rumors are suggesting, but you never know with how HBO has been reducing their budget lately. Not paying Kovalev a quarter mill to a mill+ later this year could make some interesting lil guy fight happen or could get them a nice night of young HW fights or something.