Andre Ward determined to ‘seize the moment’ after weighing in for Sergey Kovalev
Andre Ward stepped off the stage where he and Sergey Kovalev each weighed in at the light-heavyweight limit of 175 pounds Friday and was asked a question.
How long have you waited for that?
Ward, 32, the 2004 U.S. Olympic boxing champion from Oakland who is seeking his second weight-class belt in his first pay-per-view headlining appearance, exhaled, smiled and answered.
“Twelve years,” he told The Times.
“I feel like it’s my time. That’s my sense. It’s my time to seize the moment. I’ve watched so many big fights here in Las Vegas. It’s so amazing now that it’s my turn.”
The former super-middleweight champion whose talent was bogged down by a contractual dispute with the late Southern California promoter Dan Goossen is beyond home-ring dates in Oakland and regular premium cable shows now.
In Kovalev (30-0-1, 26 knockouts), Ward (30-0, 15 KOs) confronts a merciless, power-hitting Russian nicknamed “Krusher” also striving to leave an impression on an audience in search of another major boxing talent.
If Friday’s weigh-in was any indication, most fans want Ward to be that man.
“This is what I’ve dreamed about,” Ward said. “There’s nothing left to do but prepare, dig deep and go out there and perform.”
Ward, who’ll earn a guaranteed $5 million purse to Kovalev’s $2 million, said he hopes the bout fulfills the expectation of excitement attached to its importance: It’s just the third meeting between unbeaten foes who both are ranked in the top five of pound-for-pound rankings.
“Tomorrow is Krush day. Of course I’m going to be knocking him out,” Kovalev said. “That’s my goal.”
Ward told England’s SkySports in one backstage interview, “There’s a lot of stake. Nobody wants to leave Las Vegas with a loss on their record, and when you have those kinds of ingredients, it seems destined for a great fight.”
“There’s going to be a little for everyone in this fight. I think he’s a better boxer than people think, and I’m a better fighter than people think. That should make a great fight. This is a fight I have to have.”
Should Ward win, Kovalev can invoke a rematch clause.
“Monsters have always been built in this sport. I just don’t believe the hype. You’ve got to show me,” Ward said. “It’s not just fleet of foot or speed. It’s about who gets caught and gets knocked out.
“He doesn’t believe it can happen. Nobody’s talking about it. It’s not one story line. But if it happens, don’t be surprised.”
Follow Lance Pugmire on Twitter @latimespugmire
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