Friday 17 June 2016 12:33, UK
Sergey Kovalev is set to defend his world light-heavyweight titles against Andre Ward in Las Vegas on November 19.
The Russian (29-0-1-KO26) holds the WBA Super, IBF and WBO crowns and has reportedly agreed to a clash with unbeaten American Ward (29-0-KO15), who recently stepped up to 175lbs having dominated as a super-middleweight.
In order for what would be one of the most eagerly anticipated 'super-fights' of recent years to take place, both men will have to remain undefeated in the intervening months; Kovalev being booked in to face Isaac Chilemba on July 11 and Ward likely to return to action soon after.
ESPN reported: "The Kovalev-Ward fight, which was signed long ago but is contingent on each remaining undefeated through interim bouts, will take place November 19 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas."
Main Events CEO Kathy Duva said: "We went back and forth with [Las] Vegas and New York for quite a while, as both venues were very enthused about hosting the event.
"In the end, the T-Mobile option made the most sense to us for a number of reasons, including ease of access and affordability for the media."
Kovalev is famed for his punching power and has been taken the distance just once since moving up to and beyond 10-round bouts - by Bernard Hopkins, while Ward has already outclassed the likes of Mikkel Kessler, Arthur Abraham and Carl Froch.
