All Ward is saying is, although lacking in size, he definitely has the skills to beat Vlad's big ****** ass. There is nothing wrong with that. It's all true.
Suppose Ward out jabbed Vlad? That means his right hand and left hook would be rocking Vlad's head all night. It would be funny watching Vlad try to clinch and Ward not playing the game but rocking him with short inside hooks and uppercuts.
I hope they do fight. It would be nice to see two intelligent, articulate men with phenomenal boxing skills and records of accomplishment throw down. Wlad would win as he has much more power and strength but it would be more entertaining than that Leapei one-sided beat down.
My guess is that you will soon get your wish to the detriment of Kovalev and Stevenson. After Ward cleans up the LHW division as he has done in SMW, then I expect he'll take on a HW or two.
How could he beat Klit? Klit is too tall for his billygoat head butts, his weapon when things get tough.