This coming Saturday (June 17, 2017) will see WBA, WBO and IBF world light heavyweight champion Andre Ward take to the ring again to face the challenge of Sergey Kovalev for the second time. Both men met back in November of 2016 in a match that saw Kovalev enter with the three belts and as the betting favorite in the fight.
Many observers felt Kovalev did enough to retain the belts, but the three judges had the razor thin decision for Ward, with all three returning scorecards of 114-113. The rematch talk started almost right away, and to the credit of both men, negotiations came together for the second fight largely behind the scenes and without a lot of hoopla.
The first fight was tense and methodical, as both fighters had a grudging respect for the talent of the other. That respect will hopefully go out the window in the second fight. Kovalev has made no secret of the fact that he feels the judges robbed him of a victory in the first outing, and Ward’s smug attitude in victory has given Kovalev added incentive heading into this fight.
Nevertheless, most observers feel a more aggressive Kovalev will leave more openings for the technical wizardry that Ward possesses. Kovalev sent Ward to the canvas in round two. But Ward recovered nicely and Kovalev seemed to wane in the later rounds.
A win for Kovalev in the rematch would almost automatically serve to fuel a trilogy closing third bout. Whether HBO would push for a third bout if this Saturday’s bout does poorly on the Pay-Per-View sales is unclear, but WBC world champion Adonis Stevenson and Showtime Boxing will be there to at least talk about a unification bout for the winner.
The undercard features a second world championship fight as WBA 122-pound champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (17-0) faces the challenge pf Moises Flores (25-0). Rigondeaux is a former two-time Olympic gold medalist, but he has struggled with becoming a crowd pleaser as a professional. He had been signed by Bob Arum and Top Rank, but they let him go, with venerable promoter labeling Rigo “boring.”
In Flores, Rigo gets an undefeated Mexican fighter who earned an interim world belt with the WBA back in April of 2015, and he has made two successful title defenses to line this title shot up.
The live card takes place at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas features 10 fights in all. Check back later in the week to see if additional lines are posted at Several Bookmakers…
Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, Nevada – HBO PPV
Light Heavyweight – 12 rounds
Sergey Kovalev +135
Andre Ward -155
Super Bantamweight – 12 rounds
Moises Flores +500
Guillermo Rigondeaux -900
Light Heavyweight – 10 rounds
Cedric Agnew +1300
Dmitry Bivol -3000
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