Ward vs Kovalev II - June 17

[Boxerbeetle]

Ward and Kovalev rematch set to be officially announced next week according to Boxing News website - June 17 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Who ya got?

http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/andre-w ... confirmed/

[handsofstone]

After the stink with the 1st fight I suspect Kovalev will get it if its close which I'm sure it will be, I personally thought Ward deserved the last one but I'm not to fussed about seeing it again even if I had thought Kovalev won, it was shite

[boxingknockout]

Ward and Kovalev rematch set to be officially announced next week according to Boxing News website - June 17 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Who ya got?

http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/andre-w ... confirmed/

Depends on the judges.... Ward should defend in Russia, all things being fair.

[Noxy]

Ward for me. I think he has him sussed now

[Boxerbeetle]

Ward for me. I think he has him sussed now

Same.

[Stuarty]

Glad the rematch is on. First fight wasn't great but it's the best fighting the best so can't really complain. I fancy Kovalev this time. Stoppage I reckon.

[Oiky]

There'll be no qualms when Kovalev wins this time

[jamesmcdonnell]

I'll go for Ward in a more convincing win. He'll avoid the early knockdown and take Kov out of his game.

Good to see the rematch happening.

Whatever people might say about Ward, he's definitely not avoided the best during his career.

[johnswan1]

In fights like this where stamina & fitness were not factors first time around, I think you have to go with the guy who had adapted best to his opponent by the end of the first fight. I think it would be a stretch to say Ward was controlling the fight by the end, but Kovalev certainly seemed to be running out of ideas and was a lot less effective than he had been through the first half. If he can't knock Ward down again or force a stoppage, he will likely end up on the wrong side of a close decision.

[dirk2686]

I'll go for Ward in a more convincing win. He'll avoid the early knockdown and take Kov out of his game.

Good to see the rematch happening.

Whatever people might say about Ward, he's definitely not avoided the best during his career.

It's been very lop sided though. A run including Miranda, Kessler, Green, Abraham, Froch and Dawson, followed by years seemingly in the wilderness, (at one stage his only fight in 28 months was Paul Smith); then back to back Kovalev fights.

I rate him massively but it's been very frustrating at times. Saying that, his time at 168 was very impressive.

[TheLeprechaun]

Ward already has a better record than Calzaghe and he still has a good few years left

[Dixonian]

I'll go Kovalev. Thought he got complacent in the second half of the fight. Meanwhile Ward was fighting right at his limit to get back in it.

I'm surprised Ward has gone for the rematch but fair play to him.

[THEBUTCH]

Sadly, Ward won't get involved this time after tasting Kovalev's power. Points win.

[PredatorHayds]

I thought Ward had him figured out late in the first one.
I see Kovalev loading up more and playing into Wards hands. Andre is a clever fighter. His record is impressive. He's P4P #1 for me.
I see him winning around the 116-112 mark. He has a unique ability to usually get the last punch in, in every exchange.

[leejonesjnr]

I'm expecting a fairly wide points win for Ward in a competitive but clear contest

[Ezzard]

I thought Kov won first time despite picking Ward. I agree with what seems like a consensus...Ward adjusted better and will take even fewer risks and take a close decision he deserves this time. But it won't be a great fight.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I thought Kov won first time despite picking Ward. I agree with what seems like a consensus...Ward adjusted better and will take even fewer risks and take a close decision he deserves this time. But it won't be a great fight.

Ward doesn't allow for great fights. I appreciate his skill, but he's a fornicating bore.

[brian13]

Kovalev stoppage for me. After knowing he can hurt him, I think he will be more aggressive in this fight and try to get him out of there.

[Autobarn]

In fights like this where stamina & fitness were not factors first time around, I think you have to go with the guy who had adapted best to his opponent by the end of the first fight. I think it would be a stretch to say Ward was controlling the fight by the end, but Kovalev certainly seemed to be running out of ideas and was a lot less effective than he had been through the first half. If he can't knock Ward down again or force a stoppage, he will likely end up on the wrong side of a close decision.

One of the better posts I've seen on the British scene regarding this fight.

And yet, Kovalev was still landing jabs and right hands in the second half of the fight, which is unheard of for opponents of Andre Ward.

There's no way Ward dominated the second half of the fight, and Kovalev received little credit for his solid boxing during those stages.

I felt Kovalev dominated the first half (one round notwithstanding) and that he and Ward pretty much were level over the second half.

Will be harder this time, though for Kovalev, in probably a tense tactical bout.

Ward's repertoire is pretty limited. Jab, grab, then either a left hook or right hand to the body depending on which hand he's still clinching with.

[Ezzard]

I thought Kov won first time despite picking Ward. I agree with what seems like a consensus...Ward adjusted better and will take even fewer risks and take a close decision he deserves this time. But it won't be a great fight.

Ward doesn't allow for great fights. I appreciate his skill, but he's a effing bore.

Increasingly this seems to be the way at the top. Mayweather, Klitschko, Hopkins, Ward, always made sure a fight didn't break out.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Yes. Thank God for GGG and lomachenko

[jamesmcdonnell]

In fights like this where stamina & fitness were not factors first time around, I think you have to go with the guy who had adapted best to his opponent by the end of the first fight. I think it would be a stretch to say Ward was controlling the fight by the end, but Kovalev certainly seemed to be running out of ideas and was a lot less effective than he had been through the first half. If he can't knock Ward down again or force a stoppage, he will likely end up on the wrong side of a close decision.

One of the better posts I've seen on the British scene regarding this fight.

And yet, Kovalev was still landing jabs and right hands in the second half of the fight, which is unheard of for opponents of Andre Ward.

There's no way Ward dominated the second half of the fight, and Kovalev received little credit for his solid boxing during those stages.

I felt Kovalev dominated the first half (one round notwithstanding) and that he and Ward pretty much were level over the second half.

Will be harder this time, though for Kovalev, in probably a tense tactical bout.

Ward's repertoire is pretty limited. Jab, grab, then either a left hook or right hand to the body depending on which hand he's still clinching with.

Wards main skill is nullifying his opponents offence. It's effective but ugly as hell.

[Bard of Boxrec]

Kovalev is the better boxer and will be able to adapt in this one. Ward won't, and if his output gets any lower he can hardly outland kovalev , he was outlanded last time. I just think kovalev will apply more aggression but in an intelligent way.

[crusader]

I thought Kov won first time despite picking Ward. I agree with what seems like a consensus...Ward adjusted better and will take even fewer risks and take a close decision he deserves this time. But it won't be a great fight.

Ward doesn't allow for great fights. I appreciate his skill, but he's a effing bore.

Increasingly this seems to be the way at the top. Mayweather, Klitschko, Hopkins, Ward, always made sure a fight didn't break out.

Ya, although when Hopkins, Floyd, and Ward repeatedly potshot then clinch the self-satisfied boxing hipsters think it's crafty and a treat to see; when Wlad holds it's illegal, he's awful to watch (despite delivering far more KOs than the others), and he's ruined the HW division.

[Tuan_Jim]

Ya, although when Hopkins, Floyd, and Ward repeatedly potshot then clinch the self-satisfied boxing hipsters think it's crafty and a treat to see; when Wlad holds it's illegal, he's awful to watch (despite delivering far more KOs than the others), and he's ruined the HW division.

Hopkins, Floyd and Ward are outside their natural divisions, fighting bigger men. Klitscho is a 6'6'' puncher-colossus with every conceivable physical advantage so yes you'd expect him to deliver more KOs than the others, as you'd expect the sight of such a monster first needing 10 rounds of holding, swatting and more holding before he delivers it to be off-putting to fans.

For the thread, I do think Ward is dull and I expect him to win a dull clearer decision.