Ward V Kovalev II: Excuse Me?

“I really hope that Andre Ward will get into the ring with me for the rematch.”

–Sergey Kovalev, as Ward/Kovalev II “No Excuses” was formally announced

He doesn't quite believe it, but he's hoping to. ROC Nation Sports, Main Events, Andre Ward Promotions and Krusher Promotions sent out an official press release to confirm that Ward and Kovalev will indeed settle an unsettling score rendered last November in Las Vegas. Saturday, June 17 to be exact.
Same city different venue, as the Mandalay Bay will this time play host to a continued grudge match that originated and continued at T-Mobile Arena. During a makeshift media session after fans cleared in front of the ring at T-Mobile (site of Canelo V Chavez on May 6) Main Events CEO Kathy Duva was besides herself while seated next to a bitter Sergey Kovalev.

I personally thought Kovalev won, 115-113 unofficially, but the fight could've honestly gone either way. Any way you slice it– Andre Ward was ready to cut to the chase.

“I'm going to keep it short and sweet. You got what you asked for– now you have to see me on June 17. This time… Leave the excuses at home,” said Ward.

Call it a celebration, but I threw on Jay-Z's “Excuse Me Miss” upon receipt of the e-mail confirming this event, just as I was nearly finished writing “Superfight: Gennady “GGG” Golovkin V Andre “SOG” Ward.

Listen.

When Pacquiao V Horn is all set for April 23– then it is not; then Pacquiao V Khan is a done deal in UAE– then it's not, because somehow, they don't have money in Dubai (??); and you remember how VERY difficult it was to make Ward/Kovalev I… You fantasize about other shit. So, in advance, excuse me for writing about Ward V Golovkin. I just don't think Ward V Kovalev II is anything close to the first fight.

I hope it is better.

Golovkin V Jacobs (where Golovkin clearly won) doesn't warrant a rematch like Ward V Kovalev does. My early thoughts are Andre has something to prove and will solve Kovalev much easier this time to set up Golovkin. I just don't think [Ward] will come close to knocking Kovalev out, while Kovalev will WISH he could hit Ward like he did the first time.

Hope I'm wrong, but I see Zzzzzz's.

After what I believe will be a great show featuring rising superstar Vasyl Lomachenko V Jason Sosa (Saturday, April 8 @MGM National Harbor on HBO), maybe I'll change my mind. The two camps are supposed to engage in a three-city press tour in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles beginning next week.

I'll be at the presser in New York, hoping to see – like Kovalev perhaps, something from Ward that suggests he's going to fight to win rather than not to lose. Then– Kovalev can either win big, or, Ward can truly cement his legacy as an all-time great by actually trying to beat the shit out of Kovalev. That's really what Kovalev was trying to say. Excuse me but, that's just the fan in me.

Ward V Kovalev II: Yay.