By Rick Reeno

Earlier today in Ekaterinburg, Russia - IBF/WBO/WBA light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev (30-0-1, 26KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over top contender Isaac Chilemba (24-4-2, 10KOs). The scores were 117-110, 116-111 and 118-109.

With this victory, Kovalev moves forward with a fall HBO Pay-Per-View showdown against Andre Ward (29-0, 15KOs).

Ward also has an interim-fight on the table, when he returns on August 6th against Alexander Brand (25-1, 19KOs) at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California.

Brand, 39-years-old and a career super middleweight, is a tremendous underdog in the fight.

Abel Sanchez, who trains a growing stable of fighters including middleweight king Gennady Golovkin, was the head trainer for Sullivan Barrera back in March when the Cuban boxer was the opponent for Ward's debut at 175-pounds.

Sanchez is surprised with Ward's selection and feels the once-beaten opponent will offer absolutely nothing in terms of preparation for a Kovalev fight. Although they are no longer working together, Sanchez would strong back Barrera to beat Brand, and he also says Brand is at least three levels below Chilemba in terms of skill and experience.

"[Ward] gains nothing," Sanchez told BoxingScene.com. "He won't gain nothing from Brand. He needs a fight just like the one had with Barrera. He doesn't need someone who's gonna beat him, but someone can make him work a little better - a little more than he did with Barrera. [Barrera] absolutely [would beat Brand]."

"A level [below Chilemba]? [Chilemba] is two levels above [Brand]. He's three levels above Brand. Based on the reports that I get from the gyms that he's been in, there are people off the street who could hurt [Brand], who could beat him. That [fight]makes no sense, but that's their camp and they are doing what they feel is best for them."