Ward v Kovalev II: Carl Froch names his top five pound-for-pound fighters in the world

By Carl Froch, Boxing Expert & Columnist @Carl_Froch

Image: Carl Froch is a past opponent of Andre Ward and has ranked the American in his own pound-for-pound list

Andre Ward can reinforce his status as one of boxing's pound-for-pound best if he defeats Sergey Kovalev, but where does he feature in Carl Froch's top five?

The American is considered one of the finest fighters on the planet and will defend three world titles in Saturday's light-heavyweight rematch with Kovalev in Las Vegas, live on Sky Sports.

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Ward's 31-fight unbeaten record includes a points win over Froch in 2011, but where is the Californian named in his former opponent's pound-for-pound list?

5. Gennady Golovkin

He's a front foot, relentless fighter, who marches forward at his own pace and is difficult to stop. But the biggest names on his record are Daniel Jacobs and Kell Brook, and Kell was out of his weight division. He just creeps into my top five ahead of Terence Crawford and Guillermo Rigondeaux.

4. Vasyl Lomachenko

Lomachenko is just a great fighter. He's unbelievable, so technically gifted, and looks so polished. I can't see him getting beaten again and he's almost mesmerising when you watch him. He's a really good all-rounder, he can box, he can fight, he can adjust to everything.

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3. Saul Alvarez

Based on his record, I'm going for Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. He's 26 years old and he's fought everyone. His only loss was to Floyd and now he's fighting 'GGG'.

2. Sergey Kovalev

Kovalev is my number two. I think he's hard done by. He's just taken the pound-for-pound No 1 to a tight decision and he's beaten everyone before that.

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1. Andre Ward

I've got Andre Ward at number one. He's not really put a foot wrong, although I scored his last fight with Kovalev as a draw. But that's Kovalev, who is an unbeaten powerhouse fighter, probably one of the most dangerous men in boxing. His style is not really what I like, but that aside he's effective and he knows how to win.

Paul Smith vs Tyron Zeuge is live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 9pm on Saturday, then Andre Ward vs Sergey Kovalev II is live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 2am on Sunday morning.

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