As per a report from WBN, Ward and Kovalev are scheduled to partake in a three-city press tour starting next week to formally announce the fight. They’ll hit New York City, Ward’s native Bay-area, and Los Angeles.
Here’s what Ward had to say about his upcoming sequel with the Krusher after the initial announcement:
“I'm going to keep it short and sweet. You got what you asked for - now you have to see me on June 17. This time...leave the excuses at home,” said Ward.
Kovalev, aside from a tweet that promises to end Ward’s boxing career this time around, says:
“I'm glad to know that rematch will happen. I really hope that Andre Ward will get into the ring for this rematch. Fans of boxing will see the real Krusher--the one they have missed for couple of my last fights. For me this rematch is very important as no other bout in my entire boxing career. Thanks a lot to all of boxing fans," said Kovalev.
As highly as the first fight was anticipated among boxing fans, the rematch might have even anticipation considering the escalated tension that exists between the fighters and the fans over the initial fight’s results.
Enlightened-One wrote:"Ward vs. Kovalev II—No Fan’s Land"
All of this is often why a bout has to be marketed properly, especially when the two main attractions aren’t household names or don’t have their respective countries backing them to no end. Did someone drop the ball here? This writer contacted a source in Las Vegas and was told that the scene at Mandalay Bay is well, dead. Crickets. The weigh-in on Friday afternoon, which was held in the hotel’s Event Center, sounded like a cave.
...few seem to care. Why? This contest should be on the forefront of boxing pages and sports news sites, but it’s not. What is? Of course, it’s the boxing versus MMA contest which isn’t happening for another two and a half months.
As was referenced in an article earlier this week and still is the case, tickets for the bout are available at all price points. They start at $105 and if one’s to take a look at the ticketing website attached to the event (axs.com), there’s not only several seats to be had but special offers are present as well. This is very sad to see. Money is going to be lost, which is nothing new for Vegas, but isn’t it supposed to be the capital of boxing?
Thoughts?
