Sergey Kovalev promoter Kathy Duva has said that Andre Ward did not want neutral judges in the rematch.

The first fight back in November ended up with Ward getting the unanimous decision. Subsequently, a scrutiny of the judges and the scorecard in particular came about post-fight.

Andre Ward is American and Sergey Kovalev is Russian. The rematch will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada.

As per the Nevada Athletic Commission’s rules, they are the body responsible for regulating the bout and the selecting of officials.

Touching on the subject, Sergey Kovalev promoter Kathy Duva told Fight Hub and other members of the media this week:

“In Nevada the rule is you go with what the Commission says. I asked the Ward side because that I thought it was best for everyone involved that there would be no question, if we could go together the Commission and ask them to appoint some non American judges. Ward said absolutely not. In fact, I’m told there was a comment made about well everyone hates Americans all over the rest of the world so I want American judges. So I guess that he feels that gives him an edge. Personally, in the United States because every State has it’s own Commission, it’s kind of like all different countries. I kind of saw Nevada as neutral ground, maybe I was naive. We’re going to trust that the Commission doesn’t want there to be any controversy next time and it’s up to them how they want to handle it.”

Lets hope whatever the result is this time around that it’s a clear and decisive. One whichever way it goes.

The first fight caused considerable controversy, sure. But one suspects that neither man is going to look to leave it in the hands of the judges this time around.

Ward is currently starting out as an ever so slight favorite with sports books at the moment ahead of June 17th at Mandalay Bay in Vegas.

But the difference is minimal. Most bookmakers look like they have this one as a 50/50 straight down the middle for the most part.

For the full interview above check it our here on Fight Hub TV YouTube: