Ward - Kovalev (@175)

[ikorolev]

Why not? Ward is more than comfortable on the inside. Kovalev prefers to have a bit of distance between himself and his opponent. Considering Ward himself has stated that most guys move away from punchers but he has always gone towards the puncher, it seems logical that he'd close to distance between himself and Kovalev, not allow Sergey to set himself to land his big shots and out work him up close.

Ward has never faced punchers of that level of power and skills. I doubt he will be able to repeatedly get inside and tie Kovalev.

[hulkmaniac]

Ward-Kovalev is the biggest fight that can be made in boxing right now. Not Ward-GGG. GGG would get washed by Ward.

There's these two guys named Canelo Alvarez and Miguel Cotto.

[diddy]

Ward-Kovalev is the biggest fight that can be made in boxing right now. Not Ward-GGG. GGG would get washed by Ward.

There's these two guys named Canelo Alvarez and Miguel Cotto.

Umm. No. Cotto has lost several times already. Both guys got clowned by Mayweather. Cotto lost to Austin Trout and I'm supposed to care more about this fight than 2 undefeated studs who have smoked everyone they ever fought?

How bout no, Scott?

[hulkmaniac]

Ward-Kovalev is the biggest fight that can be made in boxing right now. Not Ward-GGG. GGG would get washed by Ward.

There's these two guys named Canelo Alvarez and Miguel Cotto.

Umm. No. Cotto has lost several times already. Both guys got clowned by Mayweather. Cotto lost to Austin Trout and I'm supposed to care more about this fight than 2 undefeated studs who have smoked everyone they ever fought?

How bout no, Scott?

From a boxing junkie perspective, maybe Ward-Kovalev is more significant. However, Ward vs Kovalev won't sell a third of the PPV's that Canelo vs Cotto will.

[Chepppaaa]

Kovalev. Probably by KO. He would shove ward around. too big, too strong.

this

[Chepppaaa]

It would be like Ali whipping on Frazier.

Too smart, too quick, too talented for the Russian.

Smart, gifted boxers beat oncoming sluggers 87% of the time.

Give Ward a couple more fights to get in peak condition and he slaps Kovalev around for 12.

The guy is a ring genius.

wrestling, holding, boxing dirty - ring genius for you, for me dq loss

[victor-romeo]

If they fight soon I got Kovalev, I am sure HBO pushing for this fight behind the scenes. Wonder how many fights Kovalev got left at peak ability, I think Pascal, hurt his nervous system a little, Kovalev didn't seem as mentally sharp after that fight.But maybe he rebounds ala Tim Bradley did after Provodnikov fight.

[Bard of Boxrec]

Much like Hopkins, only half his age.

Punchout was referring to SenorShittino's grand prediction that Hopkins would outclass Kovalev. Incidentally the good Senor, aka 'Captain America' never gave any credit to Kovalev after the fight (No doubt because he isn't from the US) and STILL dismisses the Russian as one-dimensional.

[davie]

Ward on narrow points win.
But it will be an ugly fight. Ward will spoil like crazy with a reasonable number of fouls in there too.

[pound per pound]

I think this is the fight that I would pay to see at LHW at the moment.
If Ward can move up fully to LHW and fight guys like Pascal&Braehmer and then set up a fight with Kovalev, that would be huge.

Heigh:
Both at 6ft (183cm) tall

Reach:
Kovalev got one inch reach advantage.

From what I remember Ward re-hydrated to like low 180s when he fought at 168 and walks around at like 200 from what I heard.
Size wise there isn't really a clear-cut advantage here.

I say it's a very even fight. Maybe Ward edges a decision here imo.


If built right I think this could be borderline PPV.

I may be in the minority, but I think Kovalev chases Ward out of the ring and puts him into a defensive shell winning easy. Ward is rusty, and will be facing a very accurate and hard puncher. Kovalev is a master of distance and timing, capable of taking away a speed advantage. This skill in boxing is rare

[Bard of Boxrec]

I may be in the minority, but I think Kovalev chases Ward out of the ring and puts him into a defensive shell winning easy. Ward is rusty, and will be facing a very accurate and hard puncher. Kovalev is a master of distance and timing, capable of taking away a speed advantage. This skill in boxing is rare

Agreed. The problem anyone has vs Kovalev is how to keep him away. Without throwing punches, all Bernard had left in that fight were his defensive smarts, and even running backwards around the ring for 12 rounds focused entirely on survival, he shipped some bombs and almost got stopped in the 12th. Ward has those same defensive smarts but supposedly will be trying to win rather than survive (although we'll see how that gameplan goes after a couple of rounds). Trying to win vs Kovalev means throwing punches and opening yourself up to the onslaught. Good luck with that when you have a questionable chin.

Still noone picking Ward has explained exactly how he's supposed to get through the hairy moments he will inevitably face, other than by using vague assertions like 'Using his athleticism' and 'Nullifying the attack' It's almost like folk don't expect him to get hit for 12 rounds. Maybe people just think he will be able to withstand Kovalev's shots, I dunno.

[Bobbyptsd]

Ward by decision for me, though I'm not as sure as I once was. He (Ward) doesn't seem to have been too affected by the layoff, but Kovalev is a very different proposition of course. He also showed himself to be quite a smart, contained fighter when he needs to be against Hopkins.

[Freedom2013]

As for Beterbiev, I said right now I would give him a 50/50 shot to beat Kovalev & also said with 2 more bouts under his belt I expect Beterbiev to be a favorite over Kovalev, who he beat numerous times in the unpaid ranks.

"Numerous times" is a lie.

Beterbiev had ONE close decision win over Kovalev in the amateurs, and Sergey says he was robbed in that fight by the Chechen judges.

[Bard of Boxrec]

Another thing counting against Ward is he seems to get marked up pretty easily. His face looked a bit damaged vs Froch late on, and Carl didn't land a huge amount. If Froch can do that to him with so little, imagine what Kovalev will do. Just another thing for Andre to be worried about while he's on the back foot trying not to get knocked out.

[Boxerbeetle]

It'd be a genuine 50-50 fight. I'd maybe slightly favour Kovalev due to his obvious power advantage, but he's always seemed slightly fragile to me. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Ward could spoil like he did against Kessler & win by decision or possibly even late stoppage.

[victor-romeo]

It'd be a genuine 50-50 fight. I'd maybe slightly favour Kovalev due to his obvious power advantage, but he's always seemed slightly fragile to me. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Ward could spoil like he did against Kessler & win by decision or possibly even late stoppage.

I see the fragility in Kovalev you speak of , yet way different than Kessler, fight, Kovalev is bigger than Kessler, and his size is translated into length , long arms, fast feet, mobility, and translates his size advantage into leverage for his tremendous punching power. Kovalev also has excellent balance and agility.
Although he is not a face first banger, Kovalev chin is a c+ at professional level, and his mind is that of an A+ competitor he prepares himself to not get into situations that but him tactical deficit like letting Ward Grab one arm and fight that mauling style, Kovalev is conditioned and mobile.
I have Kovalev winning by majority deciscion possible KO over Ward.
Once Ward moves up to LHW this will put a lot of wear and tear on him as he fights these bigger men, so he probably should stay at 168 but if he wants the big payday and the big challenge and a defining fight Kovalev in the next 18 months is that fight.
I would really love to see this fight.

[Evander]

Kovalev is a tough guy, if Ward gets back to where he was I think I'd probably go with Ward based off of styles make fights.
That said Smith clipped Ward pretty damn good during one of the mid rounds which certainly got his attention for a second, if Kovalev landed that he would sure have followed up on it.
Jury is out for now but it sure looks like a nice match up.

[SNG]

There's these two guys named Canelo Alvarez and Miguel Cotto.

Umm. No. Cotto has lost several times already. Both guys got clowned by Mayweather. Cotto lost to Austin Trout and I'm supposed to care more about this fight than 2 undefeated studs who have smoked everyone they ever fought?

How bout no, Scott?

From a boxing junkie perspective, maybe Ward-Kovalev is more significant. However, Ward vs Kovalev won't sell a third of the PPV's that Canelo vs Cotto will.

Don't often agree with Diddy but he's right here, and what each fight sells means nothing to me. Also got to say Ward beats Kov, good fight though.