If kovalev can't get Stevenson or beterbiev right after the ward fight, he might as well go to cruiserweight. There are some decent fights at LHW for him, but I think that he will get more respect by beating cruiserweights. And becoming the man in 2 divisions.

If Ward wins, he needs to stay at LHW and just fight whoever he is able to. Knowing his inactivity though, I wouldn't be surprised if kovalev is really his last big fight. He may fight a few more times, but ward has said multiple times that he doesn't want to fight too long and wants to think about his life after boxing.