The Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev card starts to get filled up with a clash between a former world champion and a light heavyweight prospect.
Undefeated prospect Dmitry Bivol will face former world title challenger Cedric Agnew on the undercard of the unified light heavyweight rematch, which will take place on June 17 in Las Vegas. Bivol, who's defending his WBA interim light heavyweight title, said he’s ready for the challenge that Agnew can bring.
"Cedric Agnew is the opponent with the biggest name in my career so far," Bivol said. "He is an experienced fighter and is well-skilled defensively. The Kovalev and Ward rematch is the most important fight in the light heavyweight division right now and I am honored to be part of such an event. I am very motivated and excited about this fight and I am anxious to showcase my skills in the Mecca of boxing of Las Vegas, USA."
Agnew won his last two fights, including a February win over Martin Verdin. Agnew challenged for the WBO light heavyweight title back in 2014 when he lost to Kovalev. Bivol has held the WBA light heavyweight interim title since 2016 and last fought back in April, when he stopped Samuel Clarkson in the fourth round.
So far, the only confirmed fights for the card are as follows:
- Andre Ward (c) vs. Sergey Kovalev: Unified light heavyweight world title bout
- Guillermo Rigondeaux (c) vs. Moises Flores (c): WBA (Rigondeaux) and IBO (Flores) super bantamweight world title unification bout
- Dmitry Bivol (c) vs. Cedric Agnew: WBA interim light heavyweight world title bout
