Andre Ward urges Sergey Kovalev to take the Canelo Alvarez offer!
These days, Andre “SOG” Ward (32-0, 16 KO’s) is a retired boxer turned decorated boxing analyst. In his last two appearances in the ring however, SOG fought the fearsome Sergey “The Krusher” Kovalev (33-3-1, 28 KO’s) in a pair of back-to-back classics.
In the premiere scrap Ward prevailed by a narrow, controversial (to some) unanimous decision. However, the former Olympic gold medalist made a more definitive statement when he stopped Kovalev in the eighth round of the rematch.
When their rivalry was active, it was very bitter and cantankerous. With the time past, the hot bad-blood appears to have cooled off a bit.
Take the Money!
When questioned about his former foe’s potential prizefight with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Ward offered some friendly financial advice.
“I try not to speak on other people’s money, but if the money that is being reported behind the scenes [unintelligible], if that’s true you better take that money and run because he’s not going to get that money in the light heavyweight division.
“[Also] he’s going to be fighting tough fights at that weight class. I don’t know what he’s getting if the Yarde fight goes through in Russia, but take that money bro and run with it.
“That’s generational type money. I’m not the manager or promoter so I gotta stay outta that!”
A Surprising Move
Ward was speaking in reference to an amazing move made by Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 KO’s). Recently, the Mexican cash cow displayed great and previously undisclosed, interest in facing the Krusher.
It was a doubly surprising move because not only did he have unfinished business at middleweight, Kovalev holds the WBO title two divisions above. Unlikely or not, the desire for this anomaly fight did result in formal talks taking place between both teams.
Ultimately, Kathy Duva, Kovalev’s co-promoter, made it a public matter that Golden Boy provided too lowball an offer to be taken seriously. Golden Boy did make a counter offer, but either it was too late or again too low.
As a result Kovalev moved forward with his mandatory bout with Anthony Yarde. When queried on what he thought about his former opponent’s future Ward was amiable and provided a high review.
“He got a good amount left. He got a lot left in the gas tank. Now I don’t know if that’s one year, two years, two fights, four fights, I don’t know. We gotta watch fight by fight.
“When you get his age and you been in the kind of fights he’s been in and he’s had as many fights as he’s had, you gotta watch it fight by fight. But based on his last fight he looked good.”
By: Bakari Simpson
