Sergey Kovalev, Andre Ward have pressure to deliver exciting fight

At long last, Sergey Kovalev-Andre Ward fight week has arrived.

The matchup that is supposed to make up for the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao disaster in 2015. The bout that is expected to fill the void for Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Gennady “GGG” Golovkin not fighting each other in 2016.

The fight that could save boxing from having its worst year in history. Oscar De La Hoya seems to think it already is, and many boxing fans feel the same.

Kovalev and Ward, two of the best pound-for-pound boxers, meet Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena for three light heavyweight world titles on HBO pay per view.

“I feel the pressure,” Kovalev said. “This needs to be a good fight for the fans.”

Kovalev and Ward are new to this grand stage. Both have been in big fights, but never on pay per view. This is Ward’s first bout in Las Vegas.

They’re expected to deliver big PPV numbers for HBO, something superstars Alvarez and Pacquiao have failed to do this year. HBO passed on televising Pacquiao’s victory against Jessie Vargas this month at the Thomas &Mack Center. The network has put all of its focus on Kovalev and Ward.

While PPV numbers are down, Alvarez and Pacquiao still draw a big crowd and add excitement to a Las Vegas fight week. Alvarez attracted more than 16,000 fans in May to the first fight card at T-Mobile Arena when the Mexican star knocked out Amir Khan. Kovalev-Ward, the second bout at the new arena, is expected to top those numbers.

Main Events, Kovalev’s promoter, and Roc Nation, Ward’s promoter, aren’t banking on star power to sell this fight. They’re selling competition — Ring Magazine’s No. 2-ranked pound-for-pound fighter (Kovalev) defending his belts against No. 4 (Ward).

Most pundits regard Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez as the No. 1 fighter since Mayweather retired more than a year ago. It’s hard to argue against the standout super flyweight with a 46-0 record. But the Nicaraguan doesn’t have top-10 pound-for-pound competition.

Kovalev (30-0-1, 26 knockouts) and Ward (30-0, 15 KOs) have a chance to settle it in the ring.

“I’m saying this based on both of our resumes, and based on the fact that we are both willing to step up and face each other at this stage of our career,” Ward said. “We’re both 30-0 and we both have a lot to gain and a lot to lose. I think that the winner of this fight should be pound-for-pound No. 1.”

This will be only the third time since Ring Magazine began ranking fighters that two unbeaten top-five boxers meet in the ring. The first was when Julio Cesar Chavez defeated Meldrick Taylor at the old Las Vegas Hilton in 1990. The second was Felix Trinidad’s victory over De La Hoya at Mandalay Bay in 1999.

“That means that on (Saturday), this will be the very first time in the 21st century that such an event will occur in our sport,” Main Events promoter Kathy Duva said. “Let’s hope this is the start of something new, a throwback to the way boxing used to be when it was at its best. Let’s hope it doesn’t take another 17 years before this happens again.”

Kovalev, 33, from Russia, has a fan-friendly style with power punches that earned him the nickname “Krusher.” No fighter except Golovkin can say they have more power than Kovalev, who owns the 175-pound WBO/WBA/IBF belts.

Ward, 32, of Oakland, California, was expected to take over the No. 1 spot after Mayweather retired, but his promotional and injury issues have kept him out of the ring. Ward, the last American to win an Olympic gold medal, is a technician with his flawless defensive skills and ability to frustrate opponents.

“He’s not a brawler who doesn’t think. He thinks in there,” Ward said of Kovalev. “Mentally I’m prepared for everything he brings, and I’m sure he’s prepared, too.”

Kovalev and Ward will arrive at the MGM Grand main lobby Tuesday afternoon.

Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0492. Follow @gmanzano24 on Twitter.