Sergey Kovalev Sits Down With RSR and Talks About the Biggest Fight of his Boxing Career Against Andre Ward

Exclusive Interview by Vinny “Glory Days” Lucci

“You know I will never go in ring and say “I will do this, I will do that.” It is very difficult to knock someone out. If I get a KO, I will. Most important is to win!”—Sergey Kovalev

With just two weeks to go before fans are to bear witness to what both combatants hope to be the crowning jewel in their legacies, Ringside Report brings sports fans an exclusive interview with light heavyweight champion Sergey “The Krusher” Kovalev as he prepares to defend against widely regarded pound for pound great Andre Ward. This is quite possibly the most anticipated 175 pound showdown since Michael Spinks and Dwight Braxton fought back in 1983.

Kovalev will be making his 9th defense with all three of his belts on the line and so much at stake. The WBO, IBF, and WBA have all sanctioned this 12 rounder on November 19th at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with it to be shown on HBOPPV and co-promoted by Main Events and Roc Nation as well as each fighters personal promotional companies.

Both Sergey and Andre stand six feet tall and box from the orthodox stance. Sergey holds a one inch reach advantage of 72”, and is one year older at 33. His undefeated record stands at 31-0-1, 26 KO’s. Ward too is undefeated boasting a record of 30-0, 15 KO’s. Ward has made his claim to greatness at super middleweight and this year has moved up to accept the challenge for light heavyweight supremacy leaving WBC champion Adonis Stevenson out in the cold.

VL: The HBO documentary recently was both touching and poignant as all fans already know the fighters and their records, but were treated to a rare glimpse of humble beginnings and what got them here. With that in mind, to save time I’d like to focus mainly on this fight as it is without a doubt the most important fight on calendar year. First up, are you training more weeks with John for this fight and are you training any differently considering Andre Ward’s genius?

Every fight I do training the same. I go to physical training camp in Big Bear to get in shape. I run, ride my bike, lift weights, do exercise. After Big Bear, I go to boxing training camp. In boxing camp, I spar and work with John David Jackson. Sparring partners change, but most of the time my training is the same.

VL: Hard to believe but you are both listed as six foot as you appear taller in person. Will maximizing your reach advantage be a key factor in fight?

I will do what I need to do to win. I will use everything I have.

VL: Andre Ward is a master inside the pocket where he smothers his opponents power or turns them into counter shots. This is how he built a legacy against smaller men. Do you think he will be able to do that to you on fight night?

I am sure he will try this. It is my goal not to give him the opportunity. I must be ready for this.

VL: If Andre elects to use the entire ring and box forcing you to be the stalker he also could be playing into one of your greatest attributes of cutting off the ring. That strategy didn’t fare too well for Bernard Hopkins, who has somewhat a similar style to Ward. How do you see fight unfolding?

November 19 has huge intrigue. You never know what can happen. Everybody wants to know how it will be, but my goal is to just work hard in the gym and then on November 19, I will get in the ring and fight. This fight will show who is the best “pound for pound” boxer in boxing.

VL: With that in mind, will you be looking for a knockout to keep the conclusion out of the hands of the judges or will you focus on winning round by round?

You know I will never go in ring and say “I will do this, I will do that.” It is very difficult to knock someone out. If I get a KO, I will. Most important is to win!

VL: In Andre’s last fight against Alexander Brand he looked good, but far from boxing’s pound for pound best. In your last fight against Isaac Chilemba, you appeared bored or distracted. Was it hard for you to get motivated for that defense?

In the Chilemba fight I did what I should do. I got all 12 rounds. I got some experience from this fight. It was for me a very important fight. Twelve rounds and similar to Andre Ward.

VL: One of the biggest intangible of this fight is seriously overlooked by casual fans who see you as the puncher and Ward as the boxer. Across the boxing landscape every major trainer has recently said your boxing skills are what propels your power. You intelligently dictate the path to deliver the big shots and yet, they have been vocal about Andre’s ability to bully inside showing some junk yard dog inside the pocket. Do you envision the fight ever coming down to who can impose their will on the other?

I am interested in this too! Will we see on November 19th at T Mobile Arena.

VL: On rare occasions especially with fights of this magnitude the corners come under the spot light just as much as the boxers. If ever there was a rivalry behind the scenes for boxing supremacy this fight has all the trappings of being a classic from both fighters and trainers.

Your trainer John David Jackson and Ward’s trainer and mentor Virgil Hunter will be dueling for trainer of the year honors while keeping the true focus on their fighters. What is the chemistry like working with John and do you see each other outside the gym?

John is a good trainer. I am very comfortable with him. He gives me the freedom to do what I want, just gives me advice and works the mitts.

VL: With so much riding on the outcome of this fight is there a rematch clause written into the contract?

Sergey did not respond to this question, but per Ellen Haley of Main Events, there is one in place.

VL: I recently broke this fight down for Ringside Report when it was first signed. While I credit Andre for being pound for pound the best boxer the morning of the fight I predicted an exciting 12 round decision for you. As the fight rapidly approaches, I haven’t wavered from that belief. Since he is the betting favorite to win by decision are you and John at all concerned with which judges are picked to score the fight or you never concern yourself with the topic?

I cannot think about this. That is my promoter’s job to think about this. On November 19th I will go into ring and do “my” job.

VL: Beyond November 19th two names are constantly thrown about at light heavyweight as possible fights. I know Adonis Stevenson has been a sore subject for you with his reluctance to unify with you while Middleweight sensation Gennady Golovkin has had an impossible tenure as champion for three years trying to secure his legacy with quality fights and may seek to move up in weight down the road. Are these two fights you’d welcome if made possible? Do you believe Stevenson is hoping someone else beats you in hopes he never has to fight you or is it just too difficult dealing with his promoters?

I do not know what “Chickenson” thinks. Sure I want to get all belts in my division, but let’s talk now only about my fight with Andre Ward on November 19th. After this fight, we can talk about my next opponent.

(Publisher Note: Ringside Report would like to thank Ellen Haley of Main Events for setting this interview up.)

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