Kovalev (33-3-1, 28 KOs), who looks to defend the belt for the first time after regaining it in February over Eleider Alvarez, has faced the likes of Andre Ward (twice), Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal (twice) and is the former unified champion at 175 pounds.

Yarde (18-0, 17 KOs) is facing the biggest test of his short career. Combined with his 12 amateur fights, Yarde still has had seven fewer bouts than Kovalev. The 28-year-old from England is ready to show the world he is prepared for the bright lights against a man who has been on or near the top of the division since 2013. But the 36-year-old doesn't plan on giving up his seat at the head of the light heavyweight table.

“I understand Anthony Yarde’s ambitions," Kovalev said at Wednesday's press conference. "He calls himself a lion, but to me, he is a cub. He is so young. I will have to get rid of all that baby fur off his skin so he will run away back home. It is clear he comes here, and he wants to be like that. I have this experience. Now is my time.”

After Kovalev and Yarde had become official, the team of unified middleweight and WBA (regular) super middleweight champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez reached out to Kovalev's side to make a fight that would see the Mexican star move up to light heavyweight. Negotiations were ongoing, and Yarde would have taken a step-aside fee to allow the bout to happen, but talks broke off. 

Now, "The Krusher" is focused solely on Yarde, but a possible Alvarez clash is still something that interests him.

“We did have an offer (from Canelo Alvarez), but we can talk about that after Saturday night,' Kovalev said. "Official agreements were already made with Anthony Yarde. My primary task is to defend the title. If the fight is still interesting for Canelo afterward then OK.”

For Kovalev, the goal is still to become the undisputed champion. He was close to achieving it before and wants to make sure he crosses the finish and gets inside the ring against WBA champion Dmitry Bivol and the winner of the title unification fight on Oct. 18 between IBF titleholder Artur Beterbiev and WBC titlist Oleksandr Gvozdyk.

“The plans are to have all the belts and become an absolute champion," Kovalev said. "I think there should be only one champion. We have four in our weight division; it’s not quite clear who is strongest. It would be great to decide amongst us who is strongest.”