Abel Sanchez was right: the old Super 6 Ward is gone for good

[Enlightened-One]

It's one thing looking impressive against second-tier title challengers or fighters that normally compete two weight divisions lower than yourself, but it's an entirely different challenge to face a top-three rated pound-for-pounder and potential Hall-of-Famer at the peak of their powers that also happens to be naturally bigger than onseself.

I really don't think that some of the claims made in this thread are intelligent or expressed from an educated objective stance.

[crow]

As for Stevenson, his chin is weaker than Ward's man, Boone stunned Ward but he stopped Adonis. Nor could i imagine Bika or Fonfara going the distance with Kovalev.

Boone arm punched Ward and still decked him hard.
He put all his weight in the shot that decked Stevenson, and Stevenson managed to get up before being stopped by the ref.

You can see Stevenson has a much better chin than Ward by the way he goes after his foes, contrary to Ward who fights as if he's afraid to get countered.
When Kessler was having a second wind in the 9th, Ward was spent, got desperate and resorted to deliberate headbutts.

Stevenson is clearly a bigger man than Ward, and even at 39, the better athlete and puncher (by far).

Ward doesn't want anything to do with Stevenson.

[boxing_rocks]

Sanchez or no Sanchez, 2011 Ward is gone. Current Ward is a slow overweight guy on thin legs. The only things which has left are mental strength, smarts and ability to adjust which allowed him to survive and have 5-6 even rounds with Kovalev.

[Tanzio]

Sanchez or no Sanchez, 2011 Ward is gone. Current Ward is a slow overweight guy on thin legs. The only things which has left are mental strength, smarts and ability to adjust which allowed him to survive and have 5-6 even rounds with Kovalev.

Perfect example of absolutely no respect for either world class p4p fighter. Typical punkassed tripe.

[Enlightened-One]

Sanchez or no Sanchez, 2011 Ward is gone. Current Ward is a slow overweight guy on thin legs. The only things which has left are mental strength, smarts and ability to adjust which allowed him to survive and have 5-6 even rounds with Kovalev.

I think that what you're saying is a tad disrespectful to Kovalev, the Russian is a marvellous fighter and deserves credit for the way he fought against Ward. And if the S.O.G. is as bad as you're claiming him to be, then Sergey should have disposed of him quicker rather than allowing the fight to be highly competitive.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

That's what happens when the best fight the best. They get 'exposed'. Lol, ward is still great. Kovalev was the better man but it would be foolish to write ward off in a rematch. The majority of the fight was even after the early dominance.

[boxing_rocks]

Sanchez or no Sanchez, 2011 Ward is gone. Current Ward is a slow overweight guy on thin legs. The only things which has left are mental strength, smarts and ability to adjust which allowed him to survive and have 5-6 even rounds with Kovalev.

I think that what you're saying is a tad disrespectful to Kovalev, the Russian is a marvellous fighter and deserves credit for the way he fought against Ward. And if the S.O.G. is as bad as you're claiming him to be, then Sergey should have disposed of him quicker rather than allowing the fight to be highly competitive.

Yes, he should have. Ward is not bad, but he is a pale copy of his 2011 version.

[jbizzle20]

Disagree. Andre Ward demonstrated incredible courage to come back from that knock down, make adjustments, and turn the tables on Kovalev. He pounded Kovalev in the body from the middle rounds onward such that Kovalev was on rubber legs for the last 4 or 5 rounds. I agree that Ward just isn't a power guy but he sure hit Kovalev in the body with enough to tire him out. Watching Ward rebound and adjust in that fight was really amazing. He is one very intelligent boxer. Stevenson, by comparison, still makes too many amateur mistakes and doesn't have nearly the ring IQ of Ward. Stevenson also needs some tougher competition than what he's been getting lately. Williams was a good opponent but he needs more before taking on Ward. Stevenson is strong but so is Kovalev. Yet, Ward erased any doubts about his ability to overcome that disadvantage with his win over Kovalev. Stevenson isn't terribly young either. Honestly, I doubt Ward-Stevenson happens.

[jbizzle20]

Sanchez or no Sanchez, 2011 Ward is gone. Current Ward is a slow overweight guy on thin legs. The only things which has left are mental strength, smarts and ability to adjust which allowed him to survive and have 5-6 even rounds with Kovalev.

I think that what you're saying is a tad disrespectful to Kovalev, the Russian is a marvellous fighter and deserves credit for the way he fought against Ward. And if the S.O.G. is as bad as you're claiming him to be, then Sergey should have disposed of him quicker rather than allowing the fight to be highly competitive.

Kovalev didn't try? He sure looked like he was but Ward survived those onslaughts and caught Kovalev with several body shots in return.

[boxing_rocks]

Disagree. Andre Ward demonstrated incredible courage to come back from that knock down, make adjustments, and turn the tables on Kovalev. He pounded Kovalev in the body from the middle rounds onward such that Kovalev was on rubber legs for the last 4 or 5 rounds. I agree that Ward just isn't a power guy but he sure hit Kovalev in the body with enough to tire him out. Watching Ward rebound and adjust in that fight was really amazing. He is one very intelligent boxer. Stevenson, by comparison, still makes too many amateur mistakes and doesn't have nearly the ring IQ of Ward. Stevenson also needs some tougher competition than what he's been getting lately. Williams was a good opponent but he needs more before taking on Ward. Stevenson is strong but so is Kovalev. Yet, Ward erased any doubts about his ability to overcome that disadvantage with his win over Kovalev. Stevenson isn't terribly young either. Honestly, I doubt Ward-Stevenson happens.

Ha-ha-ha to "pounded" and "rubber legs". Ward's "pounding" couldn't kill a fly.