Sergey Kovalev vs Andre Ward

[magwitch]

Questions in this fight for me are
Can Ward take Kovalevs punches?
Kovalev can take clean shots from Ward, up to a certain point of course - nobody can take clean punches to the face all night. How will Ward react WHEN Kovalev lands because we have to expect Kovalev to land something at some point

If you go in with kovalev you get hurt. And there's enough to suggest ward can't deal with it. Ok, his fights with Kenny kost and Boone were a long time ago. But they, and the many times ward has done that 'Obama not bad' face when hit, suggest he can easily be made uncomfortable by punches. I also think back to how he looked in the 11th and 12th vs Froch when he was getting a little roughed up and looking at the clock constantly.

Furthermore he got marked up a fair bit vs Froch too, which isn't insignificant. If kov can cut ward or cause a swelling that's just something else for Andre to worry about.

Now I'm watching ward/froch again. That ward is absolute night and day from this one, and I'm stunned that some people can't see it. He looked so much sharper back then.

Is he as fast as Ward?

If you measured the speed at which a variety of punches found their target from each of them, I would be pretty confident that there isn't much in it. Speed will not be a factor in this fight.

Speed starts off up top - decision making. Game plan. I don’t mind you being able to throw faster than me if I’m 2 steps ahead already.

[magwitch]

I don't think Ward is going to win as such but rather not lose if that makes sense.

None whatsoever really.

[lefty]

I don't think Ward is going to win as such but rather not lose if that makes sense.

None whatsoever really.

Well use your brain and think about it.

[magwitch]

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.

If there is a convincing winner then they become the main dog in the sport imo.

Good, bold statement, like it
Personally, as impressive as Kovalev and Ward have both been, I can’t put either one on top on the Christmas tree. Ward simply hasn’t fought enough and Golovkin fights often, wins big and generally looks great. Also that Crawford chap has more than an air of ease about him. He’s up there also for me.
Looking forward to this fight.
Predictions - I’ll go for the American, altho may the best man win as far as I’m concerned.
Sergey will do what he has to do - he does not strike me as one of these guys that comes away having failed to implement what he set out to do. But I think Ward will have solutions.

[mickey1975]

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.

If there is a convincing winner then they become the main dog in the sport imo.

Good, bold statement, like it
Personally, as impressive as Kovalev and Ward have both been, I can’t put either one on top on the Christmas tree. Ward simply hasn’t fought enough and Golovkin fights often, wins big and generally looks great. Also that Crawford chap has more than an air of ease about him. He’s up there also for me.
Looking forward to this fight.
Predictions - I’ll go for the American, altho may the best man win as far as I’m concerned.
Sergey will do what he has to do - he does not strike me as one of these guys that comes away having failed to implement what he set out to do. But I think Ward will have solutions.

GGG's whole career combined won't mean as much as this one win for whoever gets it.

[Stuarty]

Is it just me or is it a bit backward that we get this fight on normal sky but have to pay 17 quid for AJ Molina!!

[Frazier71]

It won't be good for boxing if the "boring Ward UD win" people are proved right so I hope Kov smashes him out of there.

[razzledaz]

Is it just me or is it a bit backward that we get this fight on normal sky but have to pay 17 quid for AJ Molina!!

I see your point and share your sentiments but from a British casual fan point of view the Josh fight is much more important.

Mr Hearn knows this and takes full advantage unashamedly.

[hitman_hatton1]

ward UD

the only doubt is how long it's been since ward has fought at top level.

too quick & too good a spoiler to let kovs get rhythm.

[lefty]

Do Ward's legs dip at 10:31? It looks like it to me but he does a good job of disgusting it and recovering

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ViWjljGAlV8

[Frazier71]

Do Ward's legs dip at 10:31? It looks like it to me but he does a good job of disgusting it and recovering

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ViWjljGAlV8

Thanks for making me even more excited

[lefty]

Whilst I'm picking Ward to win- I do think he's gonna have to adopt the perfect strategy pretty much. It will be interesting to see whether Hunter and himself have devised the correct game plan. If not then he probably will get face planted.

[lefty]

The more I watch footage, the more I find myself questioning my pick in fairness. I rewatched the Chilemba fight and seeing it again; it wasn't as bad a performance as the original video I saw it on made it appear. The footage was somewhat grainy which made it hard picking up the little details.

Screw it- I'm gonna sit on the fence; I'm really not sure either way who's gonna win this fight. Saying that though- it's good as a boxing fan to actually be saying that! We're too used to knowing the result beforehand!

Great matchup. Hopefully that is reflected in the number of PPV buys but unfortunately it probably won't.

[lefty]

It doesn't seem like it's been promoted particularly well imo. Outside of boxing publications and the odd article here and there- I've barely seen the fight mentioned. The UFC do a far better job of marketing and promoting their product.

[Boxerbeetle]

Must say I'm surprised to see that a few people are supremely confident in their pick. Whilst I've predicted Ward on points since day 1 and am not swaying now, I honestly wouldn't be surprised by any outcome and would say it's probably a 55-45 fight in favour of Ward.

On balance, I just think Ward is too skilled and awkward for Kovalev to land enough clean shots. But I would actually prefer Kovalev to win, he's so much better to watch and would love to watch him starch Stevenson.

[lefty]

Must say I'm surprised to see that a few people are supremely confident in their pick. Whilst I've predicted Ward on points since day 1 and am not swaying now, I honestly wouldn't be surprised by any outcome and would say it's probably a 55-45 fight in favour of Ward.

On balance, I just think Ward is too skilled and awkward for Kovalev to land enough clean shots. But I would actually prefer Kovalev to win, he's so much better to watch and would love to watch him starch Stevenson.

I actually think Stevenson is somewhat underrated. I'd make Kovalev the favourite in that matchup for sure but I think because a lot of people dislike Stevenson (understandably) they tend to somewhat overlook his ability and he is better imo than a lot of people think he is. He is very one hand reliant but his counter punching ability is pretty on point. That left hand is a hell of a weapon aswell.

[mickey1975]

It doesn't seem like it's been promoted particularly well imo. Outside of boxing publications and the odd article here and there- I've barely seen the fight mentioned. The UFC do a far better job of marketing and promoting their product.

I think Sky have done ok for once.

[lefty]

It doesn't seem like it's been promoted particularly well imo. Outside of boxing publications and the odd article here and there- I've barely seen the fight mentioned. The UFC do a far better job of marketing and promoting their product.

I think Sky have done ok for once.

Ah yeah I'm talking more in regards to the American side.

[mickey1975]

Do Ward's legs dip at 10:31? It looks like it to me but he does a good job of disgusting it and recovering

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ViWjljGAlV8

I don't see it.

[lefty]

Do Ward's legs dip at 10:31? It looks like it to me but he does a good job of disgusting it and recovering

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ViWjljGAlV8

I don't see it.

If you look it at it closely. It looks like his legs do a bit of a dance. He immediately clinches aswell.

[Bard of Boxrec]

I don't know about a dance but there's more worrying marking up for Ward.

If he even gets into the second half of the fight his face will be a mangled mess vs Sergey.

[Taansend]

Questions in this fight for me are
Can Ward take Kovalevs punches?
Kovalev can take clean shots from Ward, up to a certain point of course - nobody can take clean punches to the face all night. How will Ward react WHEN Kovalev lands because we have to expect Kovalev to land something at some point

If you go in with kovalev you get hurt. And there's enough to suggest ward can't deal with it. Ok, his fights with Kenny kost and Boone were a long time ago. But they, and the many times ward has done that 'Obama not bad' face when hit, suggest he can easily be made uncomfortable by punches. I also think back to how he looked in the 11th and 12th vs Froch when he was getting a little roughed up and looking at the clock constantly.

Furthermore he got marked up a fair bit vs Froch too, which isn't insignificant. If kov can cut ward or cause a swelling that's just something else for Andre to worry about.

Now I'm watching ward/froch again. That ward is absolute night and day from this one, and I'm stunned that some people can't see it. He looked so much sharper back then.

Is he as fast as Ward?

If you measured the speed at which a variety of punches found their target from each of them, I would be pretty confident that there isn't much in it. Speed will not be a factor in this fight.

Speed starts off up top - decision making. Game plan. I don’t mind you being able to throw faster than me if I’m 2 steps ahead already.

I think Ward is the faster fighter.

I'd love for Kovalev's timing to nullify that speed but think Ward will be able to out-Mayweather him.

The duller the fight the better for Ward

[Frazier71]

Sky didn't advertise this in-show at the end of Man United - Arsenal just now, choosing instead to have Finding Dory, the newest Ghostbusters, ATP tennis semi final and a rugby match that had Fiji in it.

[keithmoonhangover]

Ward is going to win every second of every round. You'll see the prefect performance tonight. Ward might ever stop him.

[Taansend]

Ward is going to win every second of every round. You'll see the prefect performance tonight. Ward might ever stop him.

That's a very bold prediction, mate.

He only beat Froch by a couple of rounds although he did take his foot off the gas in the latter rounds.