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Kovalev vs Ward: Live stream, start time, fight card and more

By Zachary Alapi

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Sergey Kovalev (L) addresses the media as Andre Ward looks on during the press conference for the Kovalev v Ward 'Pound for Pound' bout at Le Parker Meridien on September 6, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Sergey Kovalev (L) addresses the media as Andre Ward looks on during the press conference for the Kovalev v Ward 'Pound for Pound' bout at Le Parker Meridien on September 6, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Sergey Kovalev defends his WBA/WBO/IBF light heavyweight titles on Saturday against Andre Ward on HBO pay-per-view. Here’s all the information you need to know in order watch Kovalev-Ward — arguably boxing’s best match-up in a decade.

With Sergey Kovalev-Andre Ward finally imminent, it’s easy to downplay the magnitude of this fight, which may have something to do with the fact that both Kovalev and Ward, despite being top pound-for-pound fighters, fail to capture the public’s imagination. But make no mistake, Kovalev-Ward is the best match-up — from a pure boxing and competitiveness standpoint — that can be made in the entire sport.

Also, it marks only the third time since Ring Magazine started ranking fighters that two active, undefeated competitors in the pound-for-pound top-five are facing each other. The other two occasions? Julio Cesar Chavez-Meldrick Taylor and Oscar De La Hoya-Felix Trinidad. Indeed, Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward are fighting for their respective legacies.

Here’s a list of the significant fights on Saturday’s Kovalev-Ward card:

  • Sergey Kovalev (30-0-1, 26 KOs) vs.  Andre Ward (30-0, 15 KOs) — for Kovalev’s WBA/WBO/IBF light heavyweight titles.
  • Isaac Chilemba (24-4-2, 10 KOs) vs. Oleksandr Gvozdyk (11-0, 9 KOs) — for the NABF light heavyweight title.
  • Maurice Hooker (21-0-2, 16 KOs) vs. Darleys Perez (33-2-1, 21 KOs) — for the WBO NABO super lightweight title.
  • Curtis Stevens (28-5, 21 KOs) vs. James De la Rosa (23-4, 13 KOs) — for the WBA Continental Americas middleweight title.

And here’s some additional information about how to order the pay-per-view, the fight card’s start time and the bout’s location:

Date: November 19
Start Time: 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Arena: T-Mobile Arena
TV Info: HBO pay-per-view (or order it via your local cable provider).
Live Stream pre-PPV: The pre-pay-per-view undercard can also be live streamed here as of 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT)

Don’t forget that the pre-pay-per-view undercard features the professional debut of double Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields. Shields is viewed by many as the fighter most capable of raising the profile of women’s boxing, which sadly pales in comparison to MMA in terms of notoriety and support. Shields faces fellow amateur standout and rival Franchon Crews, who is also fighting for the first time in the paid ranks.

Next: 5 reasons to watch Kovalev-Ward

Because boxing’s shifting landscape has led to the nurturing of fighter brands as opposed to great fights, fans should relish Sergey Kovalev-Andre Ward. It’s the sort of match-up that is frustratingly on the verge of extinction. That said, every once in a while boxing gets it right, and here’s hoping the likes of Kovalev-Ward gradually becomes the rule, as opposed to the exception.

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