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Andre Ward:
12/09/2016 - “I think Kathy has to realize she’s not on the A-side now,”. “Her fighter is not the champion. Things are different. She can say she’s exercising our rematch clause and that’s fine. But when we decide to come to the table, we’ll see if it’s right. But in order for me to get back into the ring period, it has to make sense. The situation has to be right. It’s unfortunate that Kovalev is resorting to what he’s resorting to and saying what he said. I expected more from him. I think people have got to realize that it’s a unanimous decision, whether it’s one point or five points. And to say that all three judges got it wrong, I don’t know. I can’t tell you the amount of fans that said, ‘Bro, I had you up by two. I had you put up a point.’ I’m not going to let the boxing media try and twist it. It was a tremendous victory, man. They can write and say what they want. It doesn’t change the course of history. It doesn’t change my legacy. I’m not bothered. I’m not angry.”
Kathy Duva:
11/15/2016 - "Of course, when the fight was made it was not a mandatory so we have the rights to a rematch if Sergey is not successful, and Ward could also ask for a rematch also but it's a little complicated, the clause."
"There's no doubt that we wouldn't be doing our jobs if we didn't protect Sergey's titles. It's one of the reasons I worked so hard to get the WBA, WBO and IBF to make this their mandatory so we don't have a mandatory problem coming out of it, so we can make a rematch. If Sergey were to lose you'd absolutely see a rematch," Duva added. "If Sergey wins it's not quite as certain."
The issue is, Ward didn't extend or signed up a new contract deal with HBO yet. Which means he and his team may or may not decide to agree to listen Adonis Stevenson calls, and settle a fight with him on another network than HBO, for more (pesos = If it make sense). It's easy for media representatives, to brush off Stevenson from the equasion, just because for most blind followers, he's not the ideal Undisputed young Champion they would wants to see winning; Thanks to the medias work.
But most fans doesn't catch that right, Andre Ward is Virgil Hunter's son, since "Ward Sr" choosen Hunter, as the main disciplinary figure to take the responsibility of leading Andre's destiny, in this world. The term S.O.G is the name Hunter gives to his child, because he believes Andre's adoption came from God will. Do you think Virgil will agree to put Ward at risk again, against Kovalev; let's be serious. When Ward took that knock down, he was lost in his mind, already thinking it was over, but Hunter (Mr. Faith) gave him the most surrealistic speech a father could give to a son, he made a miracle by resetting Ward's focus til the end of this fight; (Ward fought back boosted, like he had an Energy refill). So as some of you didn't notice, Hunter's recipe for Ward success, is to never agree to make rematches; his quote: (If you win, let's move on) , and that's how Andre Ward ever rolled.
Knowing this obvious pattern, why Andre Ward would vacate or loose the chance to become the 1st Undisputed LHW Champion of the history by not fighting this One single fight against aging Adonis Stevenson. First, Ward have no TV contract. Second, most followers already believes Kovalev's a better fighter than Stevenson. Third, Stevenson can guarantee Ward, more than 5 millions revenues for both parties. So why Ward wouldn't complete the second Chapter of his legacy, by fighting Stevenson 1 time only, for the Undisputed title and number 1 spot in the world Pound-for-pound ranking.
Consider that Kathy Duva says that Main Events Promotions had a rematch clause on Andre Ward; in case Ward wins. It does not change that options are a direct violation of the Muhammad Ali Act, as stated in Code 6307b. (Protection from coercive contracts).
In the US, promoters can't maintain a total monopoly if they want to keep a world title belt. In the US, it is illegal to ask for a rematch clauses or options in purse bids for a mandatory fight. All sanctioning bodies prohibit such clause, even if it's perfectly fine for a promoter to negotiate a rematch for a non-mandatory fight.
Just because something is agreed to, doesn't necessarily mean it is legal. Ward was already on the A side with 250% of Kovalev's earnings, and as Champion of 3 belts, he now has the entire negotiation leverage over Kovalev clan. Kathy's good with injunctions and lawsuits, but Ward team only has to point out the legality of this agreement, the noninvolvement of HBO, and all the inconsistencies related with the uncertainty around Ward rights to ask for a rematch, in case of a loss.
So if a Kovalev fight is not part of "A-side" Ward plan; Why not Stevenson, now?
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