Kovalev's return scheduled for November 25

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.