You got to be kidding me right? You do realize that Ward is the bigger stronger man and he bullied Kovalev on the inside he would maul GGG's little ass on the inside smother his power go to his body and beat him up.
He avoided Ward but I don't blame him, not that he HAD to fight him anyway, wasn't the right time for it. If he went up and fought Ward, possibly get dominated by a bigger, more skilled guy. It could have been more than a significant setback in his career, especially with how merciless losing is in this sport nowadays.