LAS VEGAS — Andre Ward defeated Sergey Kovalev on Saturday night to win the light heavyweight world title and make a strong case that he is the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.
In a unanimous decision, Ward improved his perfect record to 31-0 and dealt Kovalev his first defeat in 32 fights as a professional. All three judges scored the fight 114-113. The bout represented a resounding return to prominence for Ward, who had not appeared in a marquee fight in more than four years — a period of sporadic fights marred by injury and a dispute with his promoter.
