Sergey Kovalev will defend his IBF/WBA/WBO light heavyweight titles against former super middleweight king Andre Ward on November 19 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2016’s most significant fight. Here is the trailer for HBO’s “My Fight” preview series, which will air as the bout approaches.
Thus far, 2016 has given boxing fans more to groan about than celebrate. Marquee fights have fallen through or failed to deliver, and patience is wearing thin. Canelo Alvarez continues to duck Gennady Golovkin, Danny Garcia will contest another senseless tune-up bout, and the heavyweight division is once again in shambles. Thankfully, though, Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward offer boxing’s perpetually loyal hardcore fans some hope.
With Kovalev-Ward less than a month away, and Showtime announcing seven compelling match-ups across five cards yesterday, there are reasons to be excited. And somewhat lost amidst 2016’s innumerable frustrations is the sheer magnitude of Kovalev-Ward.
It’s become far too rare in boxing to see elite fighters face each other at optimal moments. Match-ups are allowed to marinate until they spoil, with Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao being the most egregious of the many recent examples to choose from. Sergey Kovalev-Andre Ward, however, is a fight for both light heavyweight supremacy and pound-for-pound status.
Ward (30-0, 15 KOs), who is moving up in weight, is looking to prove that he’s still the same fighter who had garnered unanimous pound-for-pound heir apparent status (behind Mayweather) after his scintillating run through the Super Six World Boxing Classic. Kovalev (30-0-1, 26 KOs), who holds quality wins over Jean Pascal (twice) and Bernard Hopkins, is seeking that elusive “defining” victory.
HBO always does a masterful job of producing stylized and compelling pre-fight documentaries, and this edition of “My Fight” should be no different. What’s especially intriguing is the prospect of delving into the more personal sides of Ward and Kovalev — genuinely elite fighters who haven’t (thus far) been able to resonate with fans in the way their respective athletic skills and accomplishments suggest they should.
Both Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward survived destitution and suffering to rise to the pinnacle of their sport. That they are here is an impressive accomplishment. That they are set to fight is potentially momentous.
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