Tanzio wrote:Krusher did the large majority of the holding, which is the only thing that kept the fight as close as it ended up being.
I love the way that Ward got up off the canvas and turned that fight in the face of Krusher's vaunted firepower. It was a thing of beauty the way Ward has made the "it isn't fair, Ward wouldn't stand still so Krusher could punch him crowd" whine and squeal.
Ward went up in weight, got in the ring with the 2nd most feared puncher in boxing, and literally disarmed him after getting knocked down, forcing the vaunted Krusher to wrestle for his life. It will be remembered as a classic match.
Ward is the fighter of 2016.
I had Ward COMPETING in the second half, is all. Kovalev dominated the first half, apart from i think round 3, but was still putting gloves on Ward - something pretty shocking given Ward's speed, athleticism and spoiling - throughout the second half. First time I've ever seen someone repeatedly touch Ward. So it was shocking to me that Ward was awarded the entire second half of the fight.
Had it an 8-4 kind of fight. Kovalev I feel wasn't given credit for his boxing skills. Kovalev kept a lot of composure given his challenger was trying to hug the life out of him. Often Ward would only punch coming out of clinches, which is a strange habit, and this is where usually has the most success, finding room for a snappy body shot or left hook. I can't believe someone dominated six rounds of a fight by holding and then only throwing left hands out of the clinch, not when Kovalev was landing jabs and rights throughout and outlanding him.
It's a very unpopular decision and perhaps the controversy will help sell the rematch.
Rematch could be interesting. Wardmay have grown into light heavy during that fight. But Kovalev went to the body very, very late and may go earlier next time, which could help break Ward down somewhat.
