Shabranskyy's not beating either Ward or Kovalev, but against the latter (unless Kovalev is merciful) he can get badly beaten. I would not have him face any of the two.
Ward. If you're being generous you could find 3 or 4 rounds to give Barrera and Slava would do much better than him. I think it would be a rather competitive fight, a tremendous learning opportunity with zero repercussions if he lost physically or career wise with how the fans regard it and he'd have a conceivable chance at the upset. No chance against Kovalev. Actually Gvozdyk held Shabranskyy back more than Usyk. Lost to him at Nationals in 2009. Lost before facing Usyk or Poyatsyka in 2010. Went to WSB after than IIRC.
No Gvozdyk is Top Rank, Slava is Golden Boy Main Events has Barrera, Lepikhin, Mohammedi and Chilemba
Good fight, I think Shabranskyy should take this. Losing a decision to Ward wouldn't hurt him career-wise, and he has a small chance of the upset imo.
Losing to guys like Ward really doesn't hurt you. He has a high skill level so its no shame. And he isn't a brutal puncher either that really could kill your confidence in future fights. And $500,000 check from Roc Nation.:yep