HBO Sets Ward-Kovalev II PPV Event

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

HBO on June 17 will distribute via pay-per-view the rematch between light heavyweights Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev, the network said Tuesday.

The fight, which will take place in Las Vegas, will once again pit light heavyweight champion Ward against former champ Kovalev. Ward won a close but unanimous decision in their Nov. 19 matchup, which generated a reported 160,000 PPV buys.

"After a razor thin decision last November in their first meeting, the boxing community has been eagerly waiting for a Ward-Kovalev rematch," said Tony Walker, Vice President, HBO Pay-Per-View in a statement. "These are two world class prizefighters who embrace being on the sport's biggest stage. Like Andre and Sergey, we can't wait for June 17th at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas."

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.