Monday 14 November 2016 14:36, UK
Andre Ward is determined to make his Las Vegas debut a successful one when he takes on Sergey Kovalev in a huge light-heavyweight showdown this Saturday.
Ward (30-0-KO15) will challenge Kovalev for the Russian's IBF, WBO and WBA Super world titles in one of the most highly-anticipated fights of the year as they battle to be considered boxing's pound-for-pound No 1.
Despite Ward's glittering career, which has seen him reign supreme in the super-middleweight division, the masterful technician is yet to fight in Las Vegas, the spiritual home of boxing.
The self-proclaimed 'Son of God' has in fact rarely fought outside of his home state of California over the past decade with his Atlantic City battle against Carl Froch the one notable exception.
Finally though, he will have the chance to achieve what is a lifelong dream as he prepares to take on 'Krusher' at Vegas' new T-Mobile Arena.
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports ahead of the blockbuster clash, Ward said: "This means everything to me and I've been wanting to fight in Vegas since the very beginning.
"For one reason or another it just never happened, but finally I have the opportunity.
"The fight with Kovalev is huge and for a fight of this magnitude to be my first Las Vegas appearance is more than fitting and I'm ready to show up in a big way."
The fight has regularly been dubbed as a classic example of a boxer up against a puncher, but Ward does not see it as simply as that.
"We will see who is the puncher when all is said and done. There have been many times when the guy who had the jackhammer did not turn out to be that guy when the fight was over.
"I know I hit hard enough, if Kovalev makes any mistakes then I will make him pay. He can be dropped and he can be knocked out."
Watch Kovalev v Ward live from Las Vegas, from 2am, Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
