Sergey Kovalev trainer doubts Andre Ward as a light-heavyweight

Andre Ward has had his credentials both offensively and defensively questioned by Sergey Kovalev's trainer John David Jackson.

Ward (30-0-KO15) is preparing to clash with WBA Super, IBF and WBO world light-heavyweight champion Kovalev (30-0-1-KO26) on November 19 with negotiations over the finer points of the deal at an advanced stage.

The American has fought at middleweight and dominated the super-middleweight division before stepping up to 175lbs and having failed to stop either of his two light-heavyweight opponents to date, Jackson believes he will be found out physically against 'Krusher.'

In an interview reported on boxingscene.com, Jackson said: "I knew the power wasn't there. The power wasn't there at 168lbs because he wasn't a knockout puncher at 168lbs.

Sergey is going to lay some leather on him and we'll see if he wants to take it and give it back.

"To add fuel to the fire, his chin wasn't the best at 168lbs. [Darnell] Boone rocked him. Some other kid dropped him and had him hurt. When Sergey hits him flush, do you think he's going to stand up? We'll see.

"I would love for him to prove me wrong - put his chin out there - but he's not going to do that. He's not a fool, he's a very good fighter and it would be stupid to underestimate him.

"Andre's game is not as good as people think. A lot of grabbing and holding. And to be on the inside, you have to be able to take some shots. Sergey is going to lay some leather on him and we'll see if he wants to take it and give it back."

Ward has stopped just two of his nine opponents since relieving Mikkel Kessler of the WBA world super-middleweight crown in 2009 but has enjoyed comfortable points successes over the likes of Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham.