Nine reasons you can't miss Sergey Kovalev vs. Andre Ward

Instead, follow me to the realm of imagination. A land where "Rocky IV" is real and the honor of Ivan Drago is fought for by Kovalev and Danny "Stuntman" Wheeler (who was played by Ward in the movie "Creed") stands up for Apollo Creed instead of Adonis Johnson-Creed after his death in the fourth installment of boxing's greatest movie franchise. This is the fight that brought two countries together, and maybe, this fight can bring the people together one more time.

Optimus Prime Fighters

When Floyd Mayweather (38) and Manny Pacquiao (36) squared off "at last" against each other in 2015, the two Hall of Famers were a combined 74 years old. When Kovalev (33) and Ward (32) face off versus each other, the two Hall of Famers will be a combined 65 years of age. While many will complain that Floyd's elite defense and Manny's slowed pace were the reasons for a less than stellar fight, the real truth is that if the two would've fought five years sooner, the fight would've been much more compelling. Age will be no factor in 2016's matchup of the best pound-for-pound fighters, which makes this fight even more of a reason to watch.

Somebody's 0 Has Got To Go

Did you know that since Ring Magazine has been ranking the best fighters universally in boxing, Kovalev vs. Ward will only be the third time in which two undefeated top five fighters have faced each other for the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings? The other two fights were Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Meldrick Taylor in 1990, and Oscar De La Hoya vs. Felix Trinidad in 1999. We've never seen a fight like this in the 21st century, and that could be reason enough to tune in for this fight.

Rematch Opportunities

In 2015, when Mayweather vs. Pacquiao ended, no one was all that interested to watch 12 more rounds of it. However, because styles make fights, Kovalev vs. Ward has all the potential to be much more entertaining than what we received the year before. If that's the case, a rematch becomes a viable option, and maybe we get the next great rivalry that helps keep boxing top of mind in every sports fan's heart in 2017.

Future Fights

Here's the thing, if we don't get an immediate Kovalev vs. Ward rematch, that could be totally OK too. Ward has another fighter of Eastern European descent who has put his name next to Ward's regarding a future fight: Gennady Golovkin. Some question whether Golovkin deserves a match against Ward, but if GGG and Canelo actually happens, the stars would align for the winner to face Ward back at 168 pounds.

Meanwhile, Kovalev still has another foe at 175 pounds who also holds a belt at light heavyweight: Adonis Stevenson. Network contracts and promoters make this fight cloudy, but with Stevenson nearing age 40, there are few opportunities remaining for Stevenson to cash in on a major payday.

Saturday Night Lights

If these eight reasons aren't enough for you to pay the $54.95 on the boxing pay-per-view of the year, let me lay out your other Saturday night options.

• USC vs. UCLA: If you're from the greater Los Angeles area and love college football, I understand. Even then, unless Reggie Bush and DeShaun Foster are walking through that door, you can do better.
• Chicago Bulls vs. L.A. Clippers: Yes, Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler vs. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin is actually a pretty tantalizing matchup, but need I remind you that the Clips are terrible at shooting free throws and the Bulls are terrible at shooting threes? I promise, you can do better.
• "Saturday Night Live": Evidently Kristen Wiig and The XX are performing this week, but would you want to have to follow the acts of Dave Chappelle and A Tribe Called Quest? Of course not; you can do better.

You will do better, and you won't miss the fight of the year — because seriously, what else are you going to be doing on Saturday night?