Kovalev vs Ward 2: Predictions from an Expert Panel

[caldo2025]

Have a look at our article about the upcoming rematch between Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward

http://www.the13thround.com/ttround/ite ... ordID=2039

Interesting to see how many have Kovalev. I'm one of the many that feel that Ward figured Kovalev out late in that fight and it had nothing to do with Kovalev's conditioning. Ward will have to fend off some shots early but I see this one going the way of the first one but without a knockdown figured in. I see Ward winning a unanimous decision in this one.

This is how I feel as well. However, I think that if Kovalev can stay in his range, and keep space in between him and Ward for the majority of the bout, he can secure a decision or possibly a KO. But Ward is very savvy at getting inside and muddling things up in his favor. I hope kov can keep that space though. He has shown that he is much better working at a farther distance than Ward is. I'd like to see him fight off the back foot a bit in this fight and keep that distance.

I was reading an interesting article yesterday about the fight. I'm too lazy to dig for it and include it here but the premise was that if there was ever a fight to bet for a DQ decision, it's this one. At first, I wasn't buying it but as i read on it made feel like he definitely has a point. Kovalev is out of his mind pissed off right now and Ward continues digging into him this week with the jazz about DLJ asking to be a part of Ward's team for this fight. I'm not buying any of that as it's just there to piss Kovalev and make him blow his top.

It's obvious that Ward's intent on getting Kovalev so mad that he throws technique out the window. What a ballsy approach with an animal like Kovalev. It better work or Ward may get murdered in there if this keeps up.

[gilgamesh]

I hear a lot of fighters say an angry opponent telegraphs his shots more. So it's definitely a game he's playing with Kovalev. Kovalev just has to be smart and not take the bait. I'm sure Jackson is well aware of what Ward is trying to do, and is telling Kovalev not to buy into it.

[boxing_rocks]

Kovalev is way too experienced to allow anger to negatively affect his performance. Anger may play role when Ward is hurt. Then when going for a kill, Kova may try to inflict more damage than necessary.

[gilgamesh]

Kovalev is way too experienced to allow anger to negatively affect his performance. Anger may play role when Ward is hurt. Then when going for a kill, Kova may try to inflict more damage than necessary.

I think Kovalev tends to do that whether he likes the guy or not. He's a mean fighter in there.

[boxing_rocks]

Kovalev is way too experienced to allow anger to negatively affect his performance. Anger may play role when Ward is hurt. Then when going for a kill, Kova may try to inflict more damage than necessary.

I think Kovalev tends to do that whether he likes the guy or not. He's a mean fighter in there.

In some cases, he doesn't like an opponent more than average. Sillakh is an example when Kova was angry.

[gilgamesh]

Kovalev is way too experienced to allow anger to negatively affect his performance. Anger may play role when Ward is hurt. Then when going for a kill, Kova may try to inflict more damage than necessary.

I think Kovalev tends to do that whether he likes the guy or not. He's a mean fighter in there.

In some cases, he doesn't like an opponent more than average. Sillakh is an example when Kova was angry.

Pascal too

[Badhusker]

Woe betide the boxer that gets the mighty Krusher angry. You don't want to make him angry! I doubt if Ward will even show up if Kovalev is angry.

[ewenhay]

Kovalev should win easily again because he's already proven he's a better boxer and puncher... However there is nothing in place to prevent another robbery -- so I see a repeat robbery... Also, if Ward wins getting a 3rd fight will be almost impossible for Kovalev -- and getting Chickenson and other top North American Light Heavyweights to fight him if he loses will be damned near impossible.

What do you classify as a robbery? The definition in boxing appears to have changed in recent years. Surely a close fight where the decision goes against your preferred fighter can't be classed as a robbery? That term should surely be reserved for clear bias, corruption or incompetence which prevents a clear unanimous winner from gaining a deserved decision

[SFW]

Kovalev is the rare type of fighter that fights well angry, doesn't lose technique. Fernardo Vargas was like that. DLH was to an extent as well. Ward won't get any advantage there.. The body work will be the bigger problem for Sergei, no way he learned how to deal with that in this short amount of time.

Whoever wins, it will be because they were superior. No excuses. But, It'd be foolhardy to think Ward isn't going to rise to the occasion again. And he likely won't be down 4-5 points when he does.

[Evander]

You can list as many people as you want to.

Who was there ?

I was ...

No way could you have fit so many of the people who claim to have seen it live into the amount of people into press row from where I was sitting.

[Evander]

I was there from 3.00PM ... hours prior and saw the build up and all of the undercards.
It was like Jones Jr v Ruiz where I arrived early at the UNLV by the airport and watched it almost from the off.

[Evander]

Saw Sherman Williams on the undercard of Jones Jr v Ruiz before anyone arrived.

The Kovalev v Ward 1 event had a tasty contest that slipped by because it wasn't shown on the PPV.

[greg]

I was there from 3.00PM ... hours prior and saw the build up and all of the undercards.
It was like Jones Jr v Ruiz where I arrived early at the UNLV by the airport and watched it almost from the off.

..how did you score, Evander? who won?

[Evander]

Which one ?

[greg]

Which one ?

The Kovalev v Ward 1? I understood you were there..

[Evander]

Some of the Eastern Europeans are really good, some overrated.
Look at that Ponomarev guy on the Lomachenko v Walters undercard, decent boxer and he's 32-0.
Can't punch whatsoever, if he hit Ortiz once flush he hit him numerous times and the Mexican took it proper.

[Evander]

Which one ?

The Kovalev v Ward 1? I understood you were there..

I thought Kovalev won.

[Evander]

Don't get me wrong here I ran into people that thought Ward won let's give him a fair shake, but the majority and feeling at The T Mobile from my eyes, ears and sense was that Kovalev won the fight.

[greg]

Which one ?

The Kovalev v Ward 1? I understood you were there..

I thought Kovalev won.

the reason I asked you because you were the one and probably the only one here who was there..I would think it's different from watching and scoring it on tv..

[Evander]

The Kovalev v Ward 1? I understood you were there..

I thought Kovalev won.

the reason I asked you because you were the one and probably the only one here who was there..I would think it's different from watching and scoring it on tv..

There were a load of Russians there.
Lot of Brothers.
It was a balanced crowd apart from the usual naysayers.
Obviously being in the U.S they had a crowd advantage closer to ringside so what do I know.
True story ... The guy to my left who was from NYC asked me if there was a chance at crooked judges.
1st he asked me that question after the Hooker fight and two of the three people in front of us turned around and voiced their displeasure
at the decision ... I didn't prompt them or set them up they shot from the hip and said it normal.

[Heretic]

I hope that Kovalev fights exactly like he did in the first fight. He won that one pretty easily. I don't think they will rob him second time. Not with the amount of money on the line for the rubber match.

I have to say that it is really bad for boxing if you can avoid any fighting at all costs and then win all of the close rounds by default.

I also think that most pissed people are the ones who picked Ward to win before the fight and can't let their bias go. Their guy won but nobody will admit it

[TheBeast]

Looks like Kov will be fighting for not much
http://twitter.com/danrafaelespn/status ... 3741278208

[boxing_rocks]

I hope that Kovalev fights exactly like he did in the first fight. He won that one pretty easily. I don't think they will rob him second time. Not with the amount of money on the line for the rubber match.

I have to say that it is really bad for boxing if you can avoid any fighting at all costs and then win all of the close rounds by default.

I also think that most pissed people are the ones who picked Ward to win before the fight and can't let their bias go. Their guy won but nobody will admit it

What amount of money? They won't sell many PPVs.

[boxing_rocks]

https://twitter.com/KrusherKovalev/stat ... 1107161088

[boxing_rocks]

VERY good analysis from Dmitry Pirog, unfortunately for most of you, it is in Russian:
https://youtu.be/8QFweqrvV04

A few points from him:
- Kovalev lost rounds in the first fight, because he was head hunting committing too much in single punches.
- Kovalev got tired in the first fight due to the above and missing too much.
- A result of the second fight will solely depend on how Kovalev fights. Ward will be adjusting to that.
- If what JDJ says (Kovalev will fight Ward inside and try to crush his ribs) is true, Kovalev will lose.
- To win, Kovalev shouldn't commit into single punches. Instead, he should fight like he fought Hopkins, keeping the distance and throwing combinations.
- He should keep his hands not close to his head, but closer to the target and throw lots of shorter arm punches hiding a big shot behind them.