Tickets for Sergey Kovalev-Andre Ward put on hold
The matchup to crown boxing’s pound-for-pound king still isn’t set after a strange turn of events.
Initially, Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward were scheduled to meet in a light heavyweight showdown on HBO pay per view Nov. 19 at T-Mobile Arena. Tickets were supposed to go on sale Friday, according to a Main Events news release Tuesday.
But tickets and venue details have been put on hold after last-minute negotiations requested by Roc Nation Sports, Ward’s promoter.
Main Events, Kovalev’s promoter, had a news conference scheduled Tuesday in Los Angeles to release the fight details, but it was delayed more than an hour. Main Events promoter Kathy Duva was on the phone with the Roc Nation camp. Ward was not at the news conference.
Roc Nation Sports reportedly wants to move the fight out of Las Vegas. There were reports Roc Nation Sports had interest in Madison Square Garden in New York.
“They’ve tried changing things the last 48 hours,” Duva said during the news conference. “They weren’t honoring their commitments. We’re committed to T-Mobile.”
Kovalev, the unified IBF/WBO/WBA champion, was scheduled to be at the T-Mobile Arena box office Friday to greet fans who purchase tickets.
“Thanks to Vegas and Main Events, dreams do come true in America,” Kovalev said about headlining his first pay-per-view event. “It’s a very important fight for my career. It’s a high level for both of us.”
The Russian fighter Kovalev (30-0-1, 26 knockouts) and the Oakland, California, native Ward (30-0, 15 KOs) have been on a collision course for the past year. The boxers agreed to a fall matchup if they won their interim fights.
Ward, ranked No. 4 on Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound list, took care of business when he easily defeated Alexander Brand by unanimous decision Saturday. Kovalev, No. 2 on the pound-for-pound list, did his part last month, recording a unanimous decision over Isaac Chilemba.
Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0492. Follow on Twitter: @gmanzano24
