Who won Ward Vs Kovalev

[ChessBoxer]

Filed under the robbery category.

[MightyWarrior]

Sooo close, thought Ward's goose was cooked in the 2nd, but he's a tough tough man - on the other hand, he sure knows how to take the thrill out of a big fight - one reason why I was never TOO hyped by this one - but I thought Ward might just have deserved it, but either way close was fair.

Thought while he was ultra wary of Kov's hitting power, he managed to "old man" him out of the fight late on, crafty as hell, crashing that jab into the Russians nose and drawing blood, while ducking and bobbing out of the way of those pile drivers....

I hope Adonis now mans up and gives Kov a shot.

Adam Smith is a pea brained nutless monkey

sidekick Paulie is a motor mouth squeeky voiced annoyance - constantly buzzing like an over caffeinated mosquito. And talks a load of clap trap - apparently it was a desireable fight...what the fornicate does that mean you might ask ? They both showed desire...says Paulie - Jeez do we have to really listen to this ??

Fat Dan Rafael had Kov winning like 11 rounds....hmm...did the heavy arsed mook by any chance pick Kov to win before the fight ??

[Deno1986]

I had Ward winning....just. Although he was the aggressor, Kovalev didn't land a whole lot on Ward in second half of the fight whereas Ward was consistently landing the jab to head and body. I watched it with the HBO commentary and they were very pro-Kovalev. They didn't give Ward much credit at all.

[Ian1973]

Thought the cards were crap.

I had Kovalev winning 1 2 3 4 5 & 10.

Of the rest of the rounds i thought most were close, i preffered Kovalevs agression over Ward's spoiling a grappling. He was also leg-hooking and forearm pushing. Even if i give all of the 6 close rounds to Ward the KD seals the deal.

Ultimately though i don't think either man excelled himself to that p4p #1 slot. I wanted to see Ward box Kovs ears off, or Kovalev spark Ward out, to cement a historic victory. Instead I think we got a messy affair with a close but wrong verdict. Unsatisfying all round imo.

I think that's the best post so far. I think Kovalev edged the last round as well but other than that pretty accurate. Ward maybe won round 3 or 4 (can't remember which).

[ewenhay]

Sooo close, thought Ward's goose was cooked in the 2nd, but he's a tough tough man - on the other hand, he sure knows how to take the thrill out of a big fight - one reason why I was never TOO hyped by this one - but I thought Ward might just have deserved it, but either way close was fair.

Thought while he was ultra wary of Kov's hitting power, he managed to "old man" him out of the fight late on, crafty as hell, crashing that jab into the Russians nose and drawing blood, while ducking and bobbing out of the way of those pile drivers....

I hope Adonis now mans up and gives Kov a shot.

Adam Smith is a pea brained nutless monkey

sidekick Paulie is a motor mouth squeeky voiced annoyance - constantly buzzing like an over caffeinated mosquito. And talks a load of clap trap - apparently it was a desireable fight...what the eff does that mean you might ask ? They both showed desire...says Paulie - Jeez do we have to really listen to this ??

Fat Dan Rafael had Kov winning like 11 rounds....hmm...did the heavy arsed mook by any chance pick Kov to win before the fight ??

Adam Smith's commentary is and always has been an endless string of questions to no one in particular. Gives me a sore head listening to him.

[Dan Dares]

I had it 116-113 to Ward. Max Kellerman is a twat.

[Bard of Boxrec]

Riddick I think you called the first half of the fight perfectly. Did it surprise you how Ward managed to come back into it?
Did the wrestling take a lot out of Kov?

Yes it did surprise me. I didn't expect ward to be able to take that much. And he did take a lot. I was hoping kovalev would keep the pressure on but ward managed to navigate the power and ease his way back into it.

It also surprised me that Ward spent a lot of time in the pocket and had success from there.

I won't lie, I thought kovalev deserved to take it. I don't see how ward could possibly have done enough to win. But you have to hand it to ward for his heart.

[lefty]

I thought Ward was a goner after that knockdown in the 2nd. That right hand was flush. That was no flash knock down. He could have panicked at that point. It's not like he's used to being in those situations but he showed his winning mentality.

[Supremo]

I had it a draw when I watched it last night. Just watched it again and had it 115-113 Kovalev.
However the only rounds I think where there was a clear winner was Kovalev in 1,2 and 4 and Ward in 8. Every other round was close.

[Ezzard]

Riddick I think you called the first half of the fight perfectly. Did it surprise you how Ward managed to come back into it?
Did the wrestling take a lot out of Kov?

Yes it did surprise me. I didn't expect ward to be able to take that much. And he did take a lot. I was hoping kovalev would keep the pressure on but ward managed to navigate the power and ease his way back into it.

It also surprised me that Ward spent a lot of time in the pocket and had success from there.

I won't lie, I thought kovalev deserved to take it. I don't see how ward could possibly have done enough to win. But you have to hand it to ward for his heart.

Agree. Despite it being close I was very surprised by the result.

I had 3 clear rounds for Kov. One of them being a 10-8. And 2 clear for Ward. Makes 4-2 to Kov.

And leaves 7 even-ish rounds that you could call either way.

It was the opposite of what I expected. I thought Ward win his rounds more convincingly. He didn't.

[Ezzard]

And fair play to you. Despite the official result you got it right.

[Counter-puncher]

Riddick I think you called the first half of the fight perfectly. Did it surprise you how Ward managed to come back into it?
Did the wrestling take a lot out of Kov?

Yes it did surprise me. I didn't expect ward to be able to take that much. And he did take a lot. I was hoping kovalev would keep the pressure on but ward managed to navigate the power and ease his way back into it.

It also surprised me that Ward spent a lot of time in the pocket and had success from there.

I won't lie, I thought kovalev deserved to take it. I don't see how ward could possibly have done enough to win. But you have to hand it to ward for his heart.

[kerrminator]

Kov, and it wasn't even close imo

[giacomino]

Had it 114-113 Kovalev. An ex-boxer I was watching it with had it 115-112 Kovalev. But I could see it close either way. After the first two rounds there weren't a lot of them where either fighter dominated. Hope there is a rematch within the next year

[ElJefe]

I gave Kovalev rounds 1, 2, 4, 6, 10 and 12. 6 rounds each but the KD makes it 114-113 to Kovalev. Couldn't really argue if anyone had Ward winning a close fight though.

The thing I'm most annoyed about is that there's always some sort of narrative. I actually don't mind Adam Smith on commentary but I felt like he was going along with Paulie too much. Speaking of Paulie, I thought he was crap last night, rarely gave Kovalev credit after about 4 rounds. There was a time when Ward was showboating and got nailed with a stiff jab, what did the commentators say? Something along the lines of "Ward is showboating now, he's starting to enjoy it in there!" Just call the fvcking action, it's a live event, I don't need or want someone telling me what's happening as if they're reading from a script. It's like they're force feeding you into having an opinion instead of calling what lands and letting the viewers decide the rest.

Also, there seems to be this thing where pundits shiit themselves about having massively wide scorecards? I swear Paul Smith already had Ward a point ahead after 5 or 6 and then ended up having it 114-113 Ward? What's that about? Surely if you had Ward ahead at half way he'd have won much wider than that? I think Paulie tried to even it up as well by giving Kovalev the 11th? I really don't understand why these so called experts struggle so much to simply call the action straight down the middle and score each round completely independently from each other.

[samwbr]

Had it 114-113 Kovalev. An ex-boxer I was watching it with had it 115-112 Kovalev. But I could see it close either way. After the first two rounds there weren't a lot of them where either fighter dominated. Hope there is a rematch within the next year

Kathy Duva said they are exercising the rematch clause immediately. Ward might get injured soon.

[giacomino]

I gave Kovalev rounds 1, 2, 4, 6, 10 and 12. 6 rounds each but the KD makes it 114-113 to Kovalev. Couldn't really argue if anyone had Ward winning a close fight though.

The thing I'm most annoyed about is that there's always some sort of narrative. I actually don't mind Adam Smith on commentary but I felt like he was going along with Paulie too much. Speaking of Paulie, I thought he was crap last night, rarely gave Kovalev credit after about 4 rounds. There was a time when Ward was showboating and got nailed with a stiff jab, what did the commentators say? Something along the lines of "Ward is showboating now, he's starting to enjoy it in there!" Just call the fvcking action, it's a live event, I don't need or want someone telling me what's happening as if they're reading from a script. It's like they're force feeding you into having an opinion instead of calling what lands and letting the viewers decide the rest.

Also, there seems to be this thing where pundits shiit themselves about having massively wide scorecards? I swear Paul Smith already had Ward a point ahead after 5 or 6 and then ended up having it 114-113 Ward? What's that about? Surely if you had Ward ahead at half way he'd have won much wider than that? I think Paulie tried to even it up as well by giving Kovalev the 11th? I really don't understand why these so called experts struggle so much to simply call the action straight down the middle and score each round completely independently from each other.

I had had a few drinks during the fight, but pretty sure I gave Kovalev the same rounds. But I could see the 12th going to Ward, which is why I thought 114-113 either way was OK. I thought Lederman on HBO was full of shite, but I often do

[jamesmcdonnell]

I didn't get to see the fight, due to Sky's shitty fight pass not working with my browser, brilliant sky, well done.

Anyway, it transpired much as I suspected, a tough close fight, and I had a feeling Ward would have to climb of the floor and tough it out to win. I always figured Ward would be tougher than people expected, and that his physical strength would surprise Kovalev. Ward's expertise in the clinches is a big leveller, it was what did for Froch as much as anything else.

I hope Ward gets the props he deserves, he might not be everyone's cup of tea, he's not mine style wise, but he's a hell of a fighter, and pulled of a career defining win.Ward isn't to blame for the judges, and by all accounts, it was a very close one, so let's give the man his due.

[giacomino]

Had it 114-113 Kovalev. An ex-boxer I was watching it with had it 115-112 Kovalev. But I could see it close either way. After the first two rounds there weren't a lot of them where either fighter dominated. Hope there is a rematch within the next year

Kathy Duva said they are exercising the rematch clause immediately. Ward might get injured soon.

Unless Ward saw something he thinks he can exploit the second time around, you may be right. Or maybe he will dump the belt and call out GGG or somebody else who can bring in some big money and he thinks is a safer fight

[Give up]

I had it 116-113 to Ward. Max Kellerman is a twat.

He said close fight and draw possible.

[samwbr]

Had it 114-113 Kovalev. An ex-boxer I was watching it with had it 115-112 Kovalev. But I could see it close either way. After the first two rounds there weren't a lot of them where either fighter dominated. Hope there is a rematch within the next year

Kathy Duva said they are exercising the rematch clause immediately. Ward might get injured soon.

Unless Ward saw something he thinks he can exploit the second time around, you may be right. Or maybe he will dump the belt and call out GGG or somebody else who can bring in some big money and he thinks is a safer fight

I think he will take the fight but I don't think he wants it as soon as Kovalev so will buy himself some time.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I thought Ward was a goner after that knockdown in the 2nd. That right hand was flush. That was no flash knock down. He could have panicked at that point. It's not like he's used to being in those situations but he showed his winning mentality.

Anybody with as extensive an amateur career at top level like Ward, is going to have been hit and hurt, I knew Ward's toughness would be needed in this fight, and Ward proved he had it. It's a common misconception that slick fancy dan type fighters lack fortitude.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I didn't get to see the fight, due to Sky's shitty fight pass not working with my browser, brilliant sky, well done.

Anyway, it transpired much as I suspected, a tough close fight, and I had a feeling Ward would have to climb of the floor and tough it out to win. I always figured Ward would be tougher than people expected, and that his physical strength would surprise Kovalev. Ward's expertise in the clinches is a big leveller, it was what did for Froch as much as anything else.

I hope Ward gets the props he deserves, he might not be everyone's cup of tea, he's not mine style wise, but he's a hell of a fighter, and pulled of a career defining win.Ward isn't to blame for the judges, and by all accounts, it was a very close one, so let's give the man his due.

Jim ward got manhandled kovalev was much stronger in the clinches and bossed ward

Really, wow, that surprising, if that's the case though, why was it Kovalev who tired down the stretch.

I wish bloody sky's shitty system had worked so I could be talking from a position of actual insight. Annoying.

[BrumBlue]

I had Kovalev winning Rounds 1,2,4,6, and 11 with Ward winning the others so scored it the same as the judges.

[Boxerbeetle]

I didn't get to see the fight, due to Sky's shitty fight pass not working with my browser, brilliant sky, well done.

Anyway, it transpired much as I suspected, a tough close fight, and I had a feeling Ward would have to climb of the floor and tough it out to win. I always figured Ward would be tougher than people expected, and that his physical strength would surprise Kovalev. Ward's expertise in the clinches is a big leveller, it was what did for Froch as much as anything else.

I hope Ward gets the props he deserves, he might not be everyone's cup of tea, he's not mine style wise, but he's a hell of a fighter, and pulled of a career defining win.Ward isn't to blame for the judges, and by all accounts, it was a very close one, so let's give the man his due.

Jim ward got manhandled kovalev was much stronger in the clinches and bossed ward

Really, wow, that surprising, if that's the case though, why was it Kovalev who tired down the stretch.

I wish bloody sky's shitty system had worked so I could be talking from a position of actual insight. Annoying.

I didn't think Ward was getting manhandled at all. It was Kovalev who was visibly weakening as the fight progressed.