Adonis Stevenson says he needs “all the titles” at light-heavyweight and that “it’s time” to make a fight between himself and the winner of the upcoming, eagerly anticipated Sergey Kovalev-Andre Ward showdown. Ward has said he believes the winner of the November 19th fight deserves to be placed at the very top of the pound-for-pound ratings, while Stevenson – who tells Premier Boxing Champions that he beats Ward and/or Kovalev – says the fans deserve to see who the best 175 pound champion is.
“Well, you know Andre Ward is fighting Sergey Kovalev, and I would like to fight the winner and unify the title,” Stevenson said. “I’m the lineal champion, so everything has to go through me. I need all of the titles, so it’s time to make that fight happen. I think Ward Vs. Stevenson is a 50-50 fight, so I’m not sure who wins. But the fans want to know who the best light-heavyweight champion is, and whether it’s Ward or Kovalev, I know I will win that fight.”
Fans have wanted to know, for quite some time now, who the best 175-pounder is. A Kovalev-Stevenson fight has been one fight fans have been calling for for what seems like a very long time (second only to the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight in terms of waiting and waiting for a huge marquee fight?) Both champions have accused the other of running scared and it’s basically a case of who you believe.
But if the patience we have shown is to be rewarded by way of Stevenson getting it on with either Kovalev or Ward, that will at least be something special. Southpaw Stevenson, 28-1(23) may not have the best defence in the world, or in his weight class, but the punching power he possesses is frightening. Kovalev is also a venomous banger and the thought of these two meeting in a guaranteed explosion has had fans salivating for so long. But even if the slick-boxing Ward spoils the party by defeating Kovalev, we will have another fascinating (if not as explosive) match-up to look forward to.
If Stevenson against next Saturday’s winner is a fight that actually gets made, that is. Either way, Stevenson-Kovalev or Stevenson-Ward will be big.
Prediction: Ward’s sublime boxing skills see him to a close, not necessarily thrilling to watch, decision victory over Kovalev.