By Ryan Burton

Andre Ward (29-0) is one step away from a November 19th showdown against WBO/WBA/IBF light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev.

The highly anticipated fight was agreed to in October, 2015 under the condition that both fighters win two interim bouts apiece.  Kovalev has won both of his bouts - a rematch against Jean Pascal and a fight against Isaac Chilemba - while Ward dispatched Sullivan Barrera and just needs to defeat heavy underdog Alexander Brand on Saturday.

The 32-year-old Ward admits that Brand wasn't his first choice for an opponent but budget restraints at HBO meant that the opponent wouldn't get top dollar for a crack against a fighter most feel is the best or second best in the world and Brand was one of the few fighters that would accept the fight.

"He wasn't at the top of our list. There were 2 or 3 guys above him that probably the media would say are more accomplished and more of a threat. He is a difficult guy to fight. He is very awkward and throws punches from every angle. We have to figure him out. I plan to prepare myself and it may take me a few rounds to slow him down and contain him. I have to stay disciplined in there," Ward told BoxingScene.com.

The awkward Colombian has only 1 loss on his ledger and that was a disputed split decision loss to current WBC super middleweight champion Badou Jack.  Ward said that he looks forward to the unique challenge that Brand presents on Saturday and as he has done in his previous 29 bouts - he will figure him out.

"I don't know if he is more dangerous but he is different. Again I am always the type of fighter to make adjustments. It is a challenge. This dude is not straight up, he's a little shorter than me and he is swinging from every angle. He is awkward and we gotta find an answer. We gotta find an answer on Saturday night," said Ward.

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