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LAS VEGAS -- Unified light heavyweight titleholder Sergey Kovalev and former super middleweight world champion Andre Ward have been among the best in boxing for the past several years, but when they fight each other in a bout that could crown a new pound-for-pound king on Saturday night (HBO PPV, 9 ET) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, it will be the first appearance for both of them on pay-per-view, where the true riches are for fighters -- if they can sell themselves and their event.Both boxers have contracts with HBO, which has been building up to this fight for the past 18 months with each fighting two interim bouts this year. Kovalev had title defenses against Jean Pascal in January and Isaac Chilemba in July. Ward routed Sullivan Barrera in March and Alexander Brand in August as he got used to fighting at 175 pounds after moving up in weight.None of those interim bouts were must-see TV. Kovalev and Ward were enormous favorites and wound up winning easily and with no drama and little excitement.But now Kovalev and Ward will have a chance to see if fans are willing to shell out an extra $60 or so to see them ply their trade against each other in an A-plus matchup with Kovalevs three world title belts on the line. Its viewed by many as a 50-50 fight with the winner potentially garnering support to take over boxings No. 1 pound-for-pound ranking.Kovalev (30-0-1, 26 KOs), who will be making his ninth title defense, said he is excited to perform on pay-per-view for the first time and that while he trained the way he always does, there was a lot more promotional work for this bout than a non-PPV fight -- not that he is complaining.Sure, HBO Pay-Per-View is very important to me; this is big deal, Kovalev said. This is my first pay-per-view fight. I think all fighters goal is to be a pay-per-view fighter, but it takes hard work and not everybody can do this. For this fight I did more interviews than before because we want to get more fans, but this is part of my job.The additional media demands made it a bit more difficult because Kovalev, 33, is from Russia and although he has lived for several years in the United States -- first in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and now in Los Angeles -- English does not come easily to him, although it has improved dramatically over time.I am still learning English. I try to learn more all the time. I am more used to this now, so it becomes little more easy speaking English for interviews, Kovalev said. I know its important because I want fans to come to T-Mobile Arena and to buy pay-per-view to watch my fight against Andre Ward. Media is only difference this time because this is such big fight. I do every training camp in same way.First, I go to physical training in Big Bear (California), I run, ride bike, lift weights, I exercise and stretch to get in shape. After physical training I go to boxing training camp. I spar and I work with my coach, John David Jackson, in boxing ring. My sparring partners change, but most of the time my training is same.Ward (30-0, 15 KOs) is not only fighting on pay-per-view for the first time, he will also be fighting in Las Vegas for the first time in his 12-year professional career, something he has wanted for years.Still, Ward, 32, of Oakland, California, said his approach is the same, regardless of whether the fight was a regular HBO bout or a much more hyped fight on pay-per-view against a top opponent.Mentally, its honestly the same to me, Ward said. Obviously theres a lot at stake and its a different challenge, moving up in weight, pay-per-view, all of those things make it a little bit different. Whether its Alexander Brand or Sergey Kovalev, I approach every situation the same way. I wouldnt be able to get to this level and stay at this level if I checked in and checked out.Its the same dedication and its the same work. For me its about trying to be the best in a sport where theres little room for error. I understand that every time I step into the ring and leads to me making sure I prepare accordingly.Main Events and Roc Nation Sports, the co-promoters of the card, have high expectations for the pay-per-view sales, at least publicly. There are many who believe, however, that even though it is a superb matchup between two of boxings best, it wont translate into big sales -- maybe 300,000 if the stars aligned -- because neither fighter has a huge fan base.There is always a battle for the attention and money from fans, but as good of a match as Kovalev-Ward is, the fight is positioned in a tough spot. It is the third major combat sports pay-per-view in the past month, coming one week after Connor McGregors starring role at UFC 205 in the promotions first-ever card in New York and two weeks after Manny Pacquiao ended a brief retirement to beat Jessie Vargas and reclaim a welterweight world title on a stronger overall card in Las Vegas.However, Michael Yormark, Roc Nations president and chief of branding and strategy, is bullish.We havent put a number out there, but were obviously excited about this matchup and we think its going to do very well, he said. Collectively, us and Main Events think this is going to be the best pay-per-view event of the year. Were very optimistic about the pay-per-view numbers. Weve got two great fighters in a 50-50 fight. Its the best fight of the year and arguably on paper the biggest fight of the last decade. We would be very disappointed if it wasnt the biggest pay-per-view of 2016.Ryan Kalil Womens Jersey . Hamelin, who triumphed in the 500 on Saturday, edged out Victor An of Russia by 0.021 seconds to maintain his lead in the World Cup standings. Russias Vladimir Grigorev was third. In the relay, Canada took control six laps from the finish line to beat Russia and the Netherlands. Greg Olsen Panthers Jersey . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. http://www.shoppanthersonline.us/panthers-will-grier-blue-jersey/ . Blackwood, 28, has played the last three seasons in the San Diego Padres system, including the past two summers with Class AA San Antonio of the Texas League. DJ Moore Youth Jersey .S. -- Nikolaj Ehlers registered a hat trick for the third straight game and Jonathan Drouin had a goal and five assists as the Halifax Mooseheads hammered the host Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 10-1 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Greg Olsen Jersey . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011.Chaz Mostert will be among the many Supercars drivers doing anti-rain dances to end Melbournes mini-monsoon in time for the Sandown 500.The Victorian capital will host the 500km classic at the end of one of its wettest weeks of the year.Rain and Supercars dont mix well - as this years Clipsal 500 showed - meaning team owners will be hoping for fine conditions during Saturdays qualifying sessions and Sundays race.If not, Mostert said everyone could expect a wild ride.Hopefully it dries out by the weekend or we get some dry segments. If not its going to be a pretty hard weekend, he said.Youve got to learn to drive around it. Sandown does get pretty slippery in the wet ... theres not much grip.The season-opening Clipsal 500 saw a thunderstorm on the brink of the green light, leading to calamitous scenes and a stunning race win by local Nick Percat.Even if it doesnt rain, new rules that dictate soft tyres must be used in dry weather will make for dramatic racing.Were going to be quicker and the degradation will be higher ... that will bring in a lot more strategy, Mostert said.The way (the tyres) tear up and marble across the race is pretty crazy.ddddddddddddIf you run off line youre able to scoot off on marbles ... with 500 kilometres worth of marbles on the track, passing is going to be very, very hard.Steve Owen will partner the in-form Mostert through the Enduro Cup.The 24-year-old has five top-five finishes from his last six races but says hes too far back to make an unlikely run for the championship - even as the endurance races double the amount of points on offer each weekend.Trying for the championship is unrealistic with six guys in front of me and 300 points or so up the road, he said.When youve got the consistency of (Jamie) Whincup and (Shane) van Gisbergen, whose bad days might be a fifth, its pretty hard.And (Craig) Lowndesy whos more consistent than ever and Frosty (Mark Winterbottom) who makes sure he finishes every race.But were still chipping away. Our goal is top five.If we surprise ourselves by going up further its been a great weekend. ' ' '