The upcoming fight between Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev is being touted as the biggest match up of 2016. The fight pits the former unified super middleweight champion Andre Ward against the reigning unified light heavyweight champion, with both fighters sporting undefeated records. While the odds makers have Andre Ward as a slight favorite, many see the fight as a pick em that could go either way.
In part 2 of my “On The Ropes” boxing radio interview with John David Jackson, I discuss with him the meaning of this light heavyweight encounter and if he thinks the winner will have the claim to being boxing’s number one pound-for-pound fighter. Jackson also talks about the last big super fight, Mayweather-Pacquiao and what future he sees for both fighters. In closing, Jackson breaks down what fans can expect from the Ward vs. Kovalev. Here is what John David Jackson had to say.
Jenna J: A lot of fans feel that Andre Ward has a claim to the light heavyweight title due to him beating Chad Dawson. What do you think of that view?
John David Jackson: No, he has no claim. The only way he has a claim is if he beats Sergey. When he beat Chad, it was Chad who decided to come down, it was his mistake. Should Andre be victorious against Kovalev, then he deserves to be the best light heavyweight in the world. That’s a big test, can he do it? We’ll find out come the 19th. But no he doesn’t deserve any claim to be the best light heavyweight. We’ll see on the 19th if he deserves that claim that some fans have given him.
Jenna J: If Sergey wins, do you think he not only has the claim to be the best light heavyweight but to be the best pound-for-pound fighter out there?
John David Jackson: You can give him that. That’s such a hard mythical title to have, to prove who is the best. A light heavyweight guy can’t fight a flyweight guy. Can he make a claim to it, yeah why not? If it’s there and they give it to him, take it. If not, then be happy that you’re in the game and that you’re amongst the elite fighters that are out there that are trying to claim that they are the best. As long as you’re in the top five, you should have no problem because that a hard group to be in, and if he’s there, God bless him for it.
I really wouldn’t put too much emphasis on him trying to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world because it can be gone tomorrow if you don’t have a good performance. If you get it, fine, but I wouldn’t put too much into it because how long can you really hold it for? I don’t think that’s a big concern for him right now.
Jenna J: I want to talk to you about the boxing scene a little bit. It’s been almost a year since Floyd Mayweather has been in the ring, do you think he’s going to stay retired?
John David Jackson: I hope he does. He had a wonderful career, a great run. He beat everybody that he was supposed to beat, he walked away undefeated, with a ton of money. What else is there for him to do? Stay retired. If you’re living a good life and you’re enjoying yourself, why come back? There’s no need to, what would he prove?
Jenna J: Manny Pacquiao is coming back to fight one more time. Do you see anything left for him to accomplish if he does come back?
John David Jackson: Not really, he had a great run. He fought all the guys and he had to keep fighting at catchweights. When he fought Floyd, I knew Floyd was going to beat him regardless of how long the fight took to be made. Manny had a wonderful run, there’s nothing left for him to do really. He should retire and go out on top.
Jenna J: What is your official prediction for the fight between Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward?
John David Jackson: I see Kovalev winning, by decision or by knockout.
Jenna J: Do you feel any pressure to knock Andre Ward out?
John David Jackson: He’s a very elusive fighter, when a guy goes through the amateur ranks undefeated, that’s an accomplishment within itself because sometimes in amateur boxing you get bad decisions. For him to go through amateur boxing undefeated, and to be undefeated as a professional, I don’t think he’s looking to get knocked out by Kovalev, so it could be a very strategic fight. If it goes the distance, I would not be surprised.
Jenna J: For all the fans that were disappointed by the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, what kind of fight do you think fans can expect on November 19th?
John David Jackson: With Kovalev and Ward, I think you’re going to see a better fight because the fight is not made five years too late. Now is the time for it to be made and they’re making it when it should be made. Even though Ward is coming off of having three fights in the last five years, he’s still dangerous and he’s still a good fighter. They both know what’s at stake for both fighters, so it’s definitely going to be a big fight and I think it’s going to be a fight that th fans enjoy.
It should be a fight that truly sets itself apart from a lot of the other major fights that have happened in the past few years. I think the fans should be excited about this fight, it’s intriguing. I look to be victorious that night with Sergey, but you never know what kind of Ward is going to show up.
Mayweather has really hurt the sport. I hope that guy never returns. As for Pac, he will have another brutal ppv result.
I really hope Pacquiao gets to retire next year. He seems like one of those guys that will end up staying in boxing too long.