Sergey Kovalev vs Andre Ward

[Counter-puncher]

The CS is gonna be an absolute poo show on Sunday. Freedom will be calling for an armed assault on Oakland or Trump to deport Ward or some batshit insane thing.

[Counter-puncher]

My post had nothing to due with tactics.

This is being hyped as a big fight we should really be up for, but when people think Ward will cakewalk to an ugly win (which seems to be a popular opinion), or even beat up and stop Kov without much trouble, it's easy to see why some aren't too excited.

I don't think that, at least inasmuch as I don't think it'll be a cakewalk, just that, if i had to bet, I would bet on Ward to control the pace of the action and thus having a tactical battle that suits his style.

[Counter-puncher]

BTW if Kovalev can etsablish his jab to the body, early, that might change the context of the fight considerably

[TheLeprechaun]

BTW if Kovalev can etsablish his jab to the body, early, that might change the context of the fight considerably

I'd say Ward would adjust if he was getting caught with it, angle his body differently or just put more emphasis on parrying it. Ward throws a good jab to the body himself. Everything Kovalev does is pretty orthodox. Ward should be able to prepare for that and see things coming. I think you need an unorthodoxy to your game to beat the likes of Ward. Like Calzaghe would be throwing a lot and from different angles as a southpaw. Or Golovkin throwing his looping hooks and cutting off the ring.

Kovalev is pretty overrated as a boxer. I mean, Kessler is probably a better all round boxer than Kovalev and Ward had no problems there, winning every round. The biggest problem I see for Kovalev is he seems not to move his head enough and Ward is very accurate with potshots and counters.

[Taansend]

Yeah I agree with handsofstone, ward will spoil a lot and turn it into a messy fight, but he'll do the sharper cleaner work along the way and win a unanimous decision, leaving kovalev very frustrated.

Pretty much how I've seen it since day one, mate.

Ward just too quick and clever.

Hope I'm wrong though.

[Counter-puncher]

BTW if Kovalev can etsablish his jab to the body, early, that might change the context of the fight considerably

I'd say Ward would adjust if he was getting caught with it, angle his body differently or just put more emphasis on parrying it. Ward throws a good jab to the body himself. Everything Kovalev does is pretty orthodox. Ward should be able to prepare for that and see things coming.
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I guess so yes

[CaptainSpacerod]

No doubt a peak ward beats a peak Kovalev on what we've seen so far.

But have Ward's reflexes survived the lengthy lay offs and the passing of time - he got caught a few times against Brand and Barrera.

[dalcumly]

I'm actually stunned that I'm the only person on here so far who thinks Kovalev will win. The Russian is the naturally bigger man, punches like a mule, and has no fear of anyone. Ward is a lovely boxer, but he 's a hometown fighter. Kovalev has no interest in that, he'd fight him in his back garden.
I see the comments about styles, jabs, positioning, etc, but can I tell you when a thumping right cross smashes into the side of your head and you think you've been hit with a paving slab ( like Golovkin hitting Brook) it's hard to remember the 'gameplan!

[lillywhite14]

My post had nothing to due with tactics.

This is being hyped as a big fight we should really be up for, but when people think Ward will cakewalk to an ugly win (which seems to be a popular opinion), or even beat up and stop Kov without much trouble, it's easy to see why some aren't too excited.

Most people see it as being close. The bookies see it that way too.

I just have a feeling Kovalev isn't all that sturdy and Ward's precision will make the difference. I'm looking forward to it big time. If there is a convincing winner then they become the main dog in the sport imo.

[Bard of Boxrec]

Ward has slowed. He doesn't look formidable at 175, far from it. He isn't as impressive as he was. Without power his reflexes, movement and ability to navigate the inside had to be on point. Not being as sharp as he was and the way these guys' styles match up, Ward doesn't have much of a path to victory, and I'm very confident in that analysis.

Volume is key in this one. Ward is going to upset Kovalev's rhythm to a certain degree and lower his output. But Kovalev is always going to be the one commanding and cutting off the ring and conserving energy. He showed vs Hopkins that he can pick his punches intelligently and make his opponent go backwards and use up energy without much exertion himself. That will happen to Ward, and to win the fight Ward has to find a way of not only staying out of trouble but landing more than Kovalev. That sounds like matching him for output to me. If he tries that Ward is getting starched. He is simply not going to get through this one without getting hit hard, and I don't believe he has the constitution to live with that.

Kovalev is winning this fight in a lopsided manner. It's just a question of when he gets to Ward. I predict by round 5 Ward will be in survival mode.

[forcefraser]

SOG by late stoppage

[TheLeprechaun]

Ward has slowed. He doesn't look formidable at 175, far from it. He isn't as impressive as he was. Without power his reflexes, movement and ability to navigate the inside had to be on point. Not being as sharp as he was and the way these guys' styles match up, Ward doesn't have much of a path to victory, and I'm very confident in that analysis.

Volume is key in this one. Ward is going to upset Kovalev's rhythm to a certain degree and lower his output. But Kovalev is always going to be the one commanding and cutting off the ring and conserving energy. He showed vs Hopkins that he can pick his punches intelligently and make his opponent go backwards and use up energy without much exertion himself. That will happen to Ward, and to win the fight Ward has to find a way of not only staying out of trouble but landing more than Kovalev. That sounds like matching him for output to me. If he tries that Ward is getting starched. He is simply not going to get through this one without getting hit hard, and I don't believe he has the constitution to live with that.

Kovalev is winning this fight in a lopsided manner. It's just a question of when he gets to Ward. I predict by round 5 Ward will be in survival mode.

You'll be surprised at how tentative Kovalev gets after he takes some clean counters. He already put in a pretty bad performance against a poor mans Ward in Chilemba.

[SteveDow]

I think Kovalev stops Ward.

Ward is a fantastic boxer but I think his last few performances have showed that he has declined since his peak in winning the super six. He carries no pop at all at 175 and in my view to beat Kovalev you have to be able to bang and have him respect your power or he'll simply walk through you.

I have no doubt that the fight will be a messy one with Ward trying to hold, headbutt, clinch etc but, as an earlier poster said, Ward will be getting hit hard in this fight on the arms, shoulders, head, body. Kovalev just clubs people into submission and I can't see how Ward will be able to keep him off for 12 rounds.

This is by far the hardest fight of Ward's career. Kovalev is a level above fighters like Kessler and Froch in my view and more to the point he's the naturally bigger man, has been fighting at the top level and has been active.

I think a few on here will be shocked at how easy Sergey wins this.

[Bard of Boxrec]

Ward has slowed. He doesn't look formidable at 175, far from it. He isn't as impressive as he was. Without power his reflexes, movement and ability to navigate the inside had to be on point. Not being as sharp as he was and the way these guys' styles match up, Ward doesn't have much of a path to victory, and I'm very confident in that analysis.

Volume is key in this one. Ward is going to upset Kovalev's rhythm to a certain degree and lower his output. But Kovalev is always going to be the one commanding and cutting off the ring and conserving energy. He showed vs Hopkins that he can pick his punches intelligently and make his opponent go backwards and use up energy without much exertion himself. That will happen to Ward, and to win the fight Ward has to find a way of not only staying out of trouble but landing more than Kovalev. That sounds like matching him for output to me. If he tries that Ward is getting starched. He is simply not going to get through this one without getting hit hard, and I don't believe he has the constitution to live with that.

Kovalev is winning this fight in a lopsided manner. It's just a question of when he gets to Ward. I predict by round 5 Ward will be in survival mode.

You'll be surprised at how tentative Kovalev gets after he takes some clean counters. He already put in a pretty bad performance against a poor mans Ward in Chilemba.

People put a lot of stock in this performance vs Chilemba. He had an off night and still mangled the guy. That should be more scary for Ward's chances, not less. Ward looking less than great vs Brand and Barrera says more for me.

Ward won't be sitting down on his shots enough to bother Kovalev with anything. He'll be a fly swatter on a bike, using up an enormous amount of energy on the back foot just to try not to get hit. His priority, as with anyone against Kovalev, is defence. He might think that he can give rounds away and try and frustrate Kovalev for long enough to start landing clean, but he can't. Kovalev is very measured and patient. He's not just some brainless slugger who'll shoot his bolt early and run out of gas. I feel like some people think he's going to look like Jeff Lacy in there, or like Trinidad against Hopkins. He is a different animal.

[arlovski]

Ward has slowed. He doesn't look formidable at 175, far from it. He isn't as impressive as he was. Without power his reflexes, movement and ability to navigate the inside had to be on point. Not being as sharp as he was and the way these guys' styles match up, Ward doesn't have much of a path to victory, and I'm very confident in that analysis.

Volume is key in this one. Ward is going to upset Kovalev's rhythm to a certain degree and lower his output. But Kovalev is always going to be the one commanding and cutting off the ring and conserving energy. He showed vs Hopkins that he can pick his punches intelligently and make his opponent go backwards and use up energy without much exertion himself. That will happen to Ward, and to win the fight Ward has to find a way of not only staying out of trouble but landing more than Kovalev. That sounds like matching him for output to me. If he tries that Ward is getting starched. He is simply not going to get through this one without getting hit hard, and I don't believe he has the constitution to live with that.

Kovalev is winning this fight in a lopsided manner. It's just a question of when he gets to Ward. I predict by round 5 Ward will be in survival mode.

You'll be surprised at how tentative Kovalev gets after he takes some clean counters. He already put in a pretty bad performance against a poor mans Ward in Chilemba.

People put a lot of stock in this performance vs Chilemba. He had an off night and still mangled the guy. That should be more scary for Ward's chances, not less. Ward looking less than great vs Brand and Barrera says more for me.

Ward won't be sitting down on his shots enough to bother Kovalev with anything. He'll be a fly swatter on a bike, using up an enormous amount of energy on the back foot just to try not to get hit. His priority, as with anyone against Kovalev, is defence. He might think that he can give rounds away and try and frustrate Kovalev for long enough to start landing clean, but he can't. Kovalev is very measured and patient. He's not just some brainless slugger who'll shoot his bolt early and run out of gas. I feel like some people think he's going to look like Jeff Lacy in there, or like Trinidad against Hopkins. He is a different animal.

i'm getting excited just reading some of these posts, some great measured analysis lads

Can't wait for this, haven't a clue who will win like, so no predictions from me

[lefty]

Aside from what I mentioned yesterday- I wouldnt be hugely shocked if Ward fought a large portion of the fight as a southpaw. He's a natural lefty who converted and he looks pretty much as comfortable as a left hander as he does fighting orthodox.

I also don't see this huge deterioration that others have alluded too. He still looked extremely dominant in his wins over Smith, Barrera and Brand and the scorecards reflected that. In each fight you could probably count on two hands the amount of times he got hit cleanly.

[Counter-puncher]

Aside from what I mentioned yesterday- I wouldnt be hugely shocked if Ward fought a large portion of the fight as a southpaw..
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[The Insider]

Ward looked a absolutely huge at the press conference the last hour. Still think he takes Kovalev to school.

[Bard of Boxrec]

Ward looked a absolutely huge at the press conference the last hour. Still think he takes Kovalev to school.

Size won't help him running backwards around the ring all night.

[Counter-puncher]

Ward looked a absolutely huge at the press conference the last hour. Still think he takes Kovalev to school.

Size won't help him running backwards around the ring all night.

Yeah, why would all that muscle help a fighter who is known to clinch and wrestle lots?

[The Insider]

Ward looked a absolutely huge at the press conference the last hour. Still think he takes Kovalev to school.

Size won't help him running backwards around the ring all night.

Yeah, why would all that muscle help a fighter who is known to clinch and wrestle lots?

No idea fellas. I just said he looked huge.

[magwitch]

The reason I think it may be isi think Ward will win and he's gonna nullify a lot of Kovalevs work and will spend a lot of time trying to get in close and hold Sergey and as Kovalev can't really fight on the inside it might end up messy,I hope Kovalev can get Ward on the end of his long punches to make it interesting

In my humble opinion, if you can take your punches to B-Hop, you can take them to anyone (Mayweather being the exception to the rule).

[Ezzard]

Ward has slowed. He doesn't look formidable at 175, far from it. He isn't as impressive as he was. Without power his reflexes, movement and ability to navigate the inside had to be on point. Not being as sharp as he was and the way these guys' styles match up, Ward doesn't have much of a path to victory, and I'm very confident in that analysis.

Volume is key in this one. Ward is going to upset Kovalev's rhythm to a certain degree and lower his output. But Kovalev is always going to be the one commanding and cutting off the ring and conserving energy. He showed vs Hopkins that he can pick his punches intelligently and make his opponent go backwards and use up energy without much exertion himself. That will happen to Ward, and to win the fight Ward has to find a way of not only staying out of trouble but landing more than Kovalev. That sounds like matching him for output to me. If he tries that Ward is getting starched. He is simply not going to get through this one without getting hit hard, and I don't believe he has the constitution to live with that.

Kovalev is winning this fight in a lopsided manner. It's just a question of when he gets to Ward. I predict by round 5 Ward will be in survival mode.

You'll be surprised at how tentative Kovalev gets after he takes some clean counters. He already put in a pretty bad performance against a poor mans Ward in Chilemba.

People put a lot of stock in this performance vs Chilemba. He had an off night and still mangled the guy. That should be more scary for Ward's chances, not less. Ward looking less than great vs Brand and Barrera says more for me.

Ward won't be sitting down on his shots enough to bother Kovalev with anything. He'll be a fly swatter on a bike, using up an enormous amount of energy on the back foot just to try not to get hit. His priority, as with anyone against Kovalev, is defence. He might think that he can give rounds away and try and frustrate Kovalev for long enough to start landing clean, but he can't. Kovalev is very measured and patient. He's not just some brainless slugger who'll shoot his bolt early and run out of gas. I feel like some people think he's going to look like Jeff Lacy in there, or like Trinidad against Hopkins. He is a different animal.

Riddick, ever since this fight was mooted you've put together some great analyses as to why Kov will win. And I hope you're right.

But I'm still backing Ward. I don't think being measured and patient will help him. I think waiting for an opportunity to nail him is wrong. Of course he needs to put something on him but he needs volume.

Ward will look to slow the fight down. Take an early lead. Then wait for Kov to try and play catch up...take more risks...and that's when Ward is comfortable.

Boxing doesn't need another Wlad/Floyd/Hopkins so best for all is that Kov sparks him.

[Tangerine]

Can Ward get inside?This is vital to how this fight goes imo,looking at Kovalev he wont be having Ward getting inside and this is probably why it will be an ugly fight with Kovalev looking to wrestle him out everytime he tries to get in.

I agree with Dalcumly,in that Ward will be leading early and a knockdown or two will bring Kov back into it on the cards.I just think Ward will be too tough to finish off he really is a tough bstard resulting in a close but UD for Kovalev.

[magwitch]

Aside from what I mentioned yesterday- I wouldnt be hugely shocked if Ward fought a large portion of the fight as a southpaw. He's a natural lefty who converted and he looks pretty much as comfortable as a left hander as he does fighting orthodox.

.

He says the same about you, apparently