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Home » Kathy Duva: Kovalev v Ward in November if all goes to plan

Kathy Duva: Kovalev v Ward in November if all goes to plan

Talks between both camps have been ongoing for some time now as Duva aims to find a big challenge for the hard-hitting Russian following the collapse of a four-belt battle with WBC title holder Adonis Stevenson.

The initial plan was for Kovalev to face Jean Pascal this weekend before moving to settle his differences with Stevenson in June. Provided ‘Krusher’ remained unbeaten, Ward would then come into play by the end of 2016.

“Kovalev v Ward has been done for months and nothing has changed. But both fighters must win their upcoming fights and stay healthy,” Duva told World Boxing News.

“Right now, it is impossible to say that it is set in stone until we get much closer to the actual event, but we have targeted November of 2016 if all goes according to plan.”

As Stevenson is currently out of the running, Kovalev just needs to find an opponent for his summer outing before fully focusing his attention on the super-fight with Ward.

A potential move up to cruiserweight could then follow in 2017, whilst a long-awaited encounter with Stevenson seems as far away as ever for the 175 pound ruler.