According to multiple sources with knowledge of the plans, Roc Nation Sports has the Oracle Arena in Ward’s hometown of Oakland on hold on July 30 for the HBO-televised fight it is trying to finalize.
The leading candidate to land the fight with Ward (29-0, 15 KOs) is former light heavyweight titlist Nathan Cleverly (29-3, 15 KOs), of Wales, whom Kovalev crushed in four rounds to win his first world title belt in Wales in 2013.
An offer has been made to Matchroom Boxing, Cleverly’s promoter. The fighter and promoter are interested in the fight, according to a source with knowledge of the offer, although Cleverly is also considering a possible shot at secondary titlist Juergen Braehmer.
There are also two other names in the running to face Ward: Colombia’s Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 KOs), whom Ward was supposed to fight in November on the Canelo Alvarez-Miguel Cotto HBO PPV undercard in Las Vegas before pulling out because of swelling in his knee, and Sweden’s Erik Skoglund (25-0, 11 KOs), a rising contender who counts a 10-round decision win in 2014 against faded former light heavyweight world champion Glen Johnson as his most noteworthy victory.
Deal for July 30 Ward fight getting closer
PER Porky Rafeal
Nathan Cleverly...WBC #10
Alexander Brand...WBA #10
Erik Skoglund...IBF #3 & WBO #5
The leading candidate to land the fight with Ward (29-0, 15 KOs) is former light heavyweight titlist Nathan Cleverly (29-3, 15 KOs), of Wales, whom Kovalev crushed in four rounds to win his first world title belt in Wales in 2013.
An offer has been made to Matchroom Boxing, Cleverly’s promoter. The fighter and promoter are interested in the fight, according to a source with knowledge of the offer, although Cleverly is also considering a possible shot at secondary titlist Juergen Braehmer.
There are also two other names in the running to face Ward: Colombia’s Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 KOs), whom Ward was supposed to fight in November on the Canelo Alvarez-Miguel Cotto HBO PPV undercard in Las Vegas before pulling out because of swelling in his knee, and Sweden’s Erik Skoglund (25-0, 11 KOs), a rising contender who counts a 10-round decision win in 2014 against faded former light heavyweight world champion Glen Johnson as his most noteworthy victory.
Deal for July 30 Ward fight getting closer
PER Porky Rafeal
Nathan Cleverly...WBC #10
Alexander Brand...WBA #10
Erik Skoglund...IBF #3 & WBO #5
Ward is going to smash another euro - they are going to go nuts. WAR S.O.G!
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