By Carlos Boogs

IBF, WBA, WBO light heavyweight World Champion Andre "SOG" Ward (31-0, 15 KOs) is not sure why the critics are always bringing up the second round of last November's fight with Sergey "Krusher" Kovalev (30-1-1, 26 KOs).

In that round, Kovalev clipped Ward with a hard shot and sent the Olympic gold medal winner down to the canvas.

After that round was over, Ward says he fully recovered and then boxed his way to a twelve round unanimous decision to claim Kovalev's three titles. All three judges scored it 114-113.

There was a rematch clause in place, and the second fight is scheduled for Saturday, June 17 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. And once against the fight will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View.

There was talk that Ward was trying to avoid the rematch, but he doesn't understand why anyone would believe that.

"They have to understand, there's nothing scary about this man. You realize we just fought twelve rounds four months ago? Everyone wants to highlight the knockdown, that's probably one of the most beautiful moments of my career. And did you guys see the other 10 rounds? Nobody's talking about that," Ward said.

"But that's what makes us who we are. It's hard concrete down there, we don't want to fall. We've got another drive, we've got another gear we've got to tap into when we hit adversity and hit the cannons. You guys saw that, in the biggest moment of my career."

In the first fight, Ward said he didn't get started until the third round. This time he plans to take the fight to Kovalev from the opening bell.

"The reality is, you've got to see me on June 17. That's the reality of the situation. I love to talk, it's all good. We knocked heads for twelve rounds, that's the reality of the situation. He felt me, he knows. On June 17, that's how we're going to do. We're going to get started a little early. Whether you're with me, or whether you're against me, tune in. You got what you asked for," Ward said.