Kovalev's return scheduled for November 25

According to ESPN, former unified light heavyweight world titleholder Sergey Kovalev (30-2-1, 26 KOs), who lost his three belts by controversial decision to Andre Ward in November and then got knocked out in the eighth round of the immediate rematch on June 17, will be back in action to headline an HBO card this fall.

Kovalev's return is being ticketed for Nov. 25, with the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York the likely site, sources with knowledge of the plans told on Wednesday. Discussions about the opponent Kovalev will face are in the early stages.

Kovalev defended his title eight times in dominant fashion, including unifying three of the major belts, before facing Ward in a match between two of boxing's best pound-for-pound fighters.