Kovalev vs Ward: I don't like bullies, says Andre Ward
Last Updated: 25/10/16 11:49am
Andre Ward says he will put "bully" Sergey Kovalev in his place and beat him when they fight in Las Vegas.
The unbeaten American is challenging the IBF, WBA Super and WBO light-heavyweight world champion at the T-Mobile Arena on November 19, live on Sky Sports.
Ward admits he has only seen one of 'Krusher's' fights and did no turn up for the press conference when the triple title tussle was confirmed, but has made it clear he is not enamoured with the Russian's approach in or out of the ring
I don't like bullies, I don't advocate bullying and I've never been bullied, and that's not going to change in this fight
Andre Ward
Kovalev has knocked out 26 of his 30 victims so far but the former super-middleweight supremo is convinced he will be the first man to beat him.
"I want to take him places he's never been before," he told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview.
"I don't like bullies, I don't advocate bullying and I've never been bullied, and that's not going to change in this fight.
"They are going to realise it's not what they thought it was going to be. He's going to be taken to places he's never been before.
"He tires in fights, he gets frustrated when he can't get guys out of there, or when he can't knock them out and endurance and conditioning are my strengths.
"I am just keeping my foot on the gas on my preparation, keep banging away so when it comes to fight night, I am in the absolute best shape of my life."
Kovalev was ringside to see Ward's third fight at light-heavyweight, in which he was taken the distance by Alexander Brand.
The 32-year-old from Oakland, California, beat the likes of Mikkel Kessler, Arthur Abraham, Jean Pascal and Britain's Carl Froch when he boxed at 168lbs, but also warned he has the power and strength to handle Kovalev's bullying tactics.
"Even though I am moving up a weight class, I am still really scaling down to make 175lbs," he said.
"I am not not adding on extra weight and I am still losing weight to get to 175.
"There's no perfect fight to prepare for certain individuals and obviously you just need to be there on the night and rise to the occasion."