Ward vs. Kovalev: Who's watching?

[MightyWarrior]

I'll certainly watch on Sunday, as it's a major fight, but no way getting up in the early hours for an Andre Ward fight, as it's a certainty he'll send you straight to sleep, no matter what time it is. Another close points win, probably Kov this time, but let's hope there's not a third one.
I won't be watching fat boy Smith, it's not a real title fight so best to just ignore it.

[CaptainSpacerod]

Disgraceful final press conference. No wonder the Krusher walked off if he's had to listen to that bunch of clowns spouting off in the build up. Some midget black guy making rubbish jokes, Virgil Hunter with shades on indoors at his age ffs handing down words of wisdom like he's speaking to a room full of 12 year olds and who was that smarmy little pudendum with the grey hair happy to have several digs at Sergei once he'd left the room knowing that Kathy Duva isn't a good enough speaker to come back with anything. The whole thing had a condescending feel to it. Ward, as befits a great champion, was the only one who conducted himself with a bit of class, I liked his tribute to Rigo.

Really looking forward to this one.

[gilgamesh]

The whole card, and the televised undercard too

[Bard of Boxrec]

Disgraceful final press conference. No wonder the Krusher walked off if he's had to listen to that bunch of clowns spouting off in the build up. Some midget black guy making rubbish jokes, Virgil Hunter with shades on indoors at his age ffs handing down words of wisdom like he's speaking to a room full of 12 year olds and who was that smarmy little pudendum with the grey hair happy to have several digs at Sergei once he'd left the room knowing that Kathy Duva isn't a good enough speaker to come back with anything. The whole thing had a condescending feel to it. Ward, as befits a great champion, was the only one who conducted himself with a bit of class, I liked his tribute to Rigo.

Really looking forward to this one.

Agree, it was possibly the most depressing press conference I've ever seen. There was a real air of frustration about it, from the 'wtf why does nobody care about this' to the rather unpleasant and not even entertaining dislike between the two fighters. There was just no effort made in any regard. Rarely is there so little buzz for such a meaningful fight.

[Deserter]

Just watched the weigh-in and while I've been convinced all along that Ward will neutralise Kov this time around and win a clear UD, I've started to waver a lot. Kov seems scarily intense and I now wouldn't be shocked to see him take this - if you ignore the tragic outcome, I can imagine him fighting like Watson did in the Eubank rematch, where he just seemed like a man possessed until Eubank pulled it out of the bag.

[MightyWarrior]

Got to hand it to Ward though, he's got some balls, there's not many would want to get in the ring twice with the Krusher.

[CaptainSpacerod]

Got to hand it to Ward though, he's got some balls, there's not many would want to get in the ring twice with the Krusher.

He knows he's got the tools to neutralize Kovalev to some extent though. Poor Pascal walked into what he knew was gonna be a severe beatdown. That was painful to watch.

[samwbr]

I think both men are hitting the deck this time around and Ward will get the decision again.

[PredatorHayds]

Anyone seen the official purses?

Ward 6.5 million Kovalev 0, just ticket and PPV percentages.

That's incredible. You hear loads of fighters talking about fighting for free or taking paycuts etc. Shows how determined Kovalev is. No fuss about the pay either as Ward must be getting a much larger share than Kovalev.

Still think Ward points though.

[samwbr]

No wonder Ward has done virtually no promotion

[Cyclops]

Disgraceful final press conference. No wonder the Krusher walked off if he's had to listen to that bunch of clowns spouting off in the build up. Some midget black guy making rubbish jokes, Virgil Hunter with shades on indoors at his age ffs handing down words of wisdom like he's speaking to a room full of 12 year olds and who was that smarmy little pudendum with the grey hair happy to have several digs at Sergei once he'd left the room knowing that Kathy Duva isn't a good enough speaker to come back with anything. The whole thing had a condescending feel to it. Ward, as befits a great champion, was the only one who conducted himself with a bit of class, I liked his tribute to Rigo.

Really looking forward to this one.

Agree, it was possibly the most depressing press conference I've ever seen. There was a real air of frustration about it, from the 'wtf why does nobody care about this' to the rather unpleasant and not even entertaining dislike between the two fighters. There was just no effort made in any regard. Rarely is there so little buzz for such a meaningful fight.

It was totally joyless and horrible to watch: team Ward come across as such a bunch of snides. No wonder Kovalev walked off. The whole promotion (I haven't see the 24/7, mind) seems to have been built on the narrative of Ward being the great American boxer who stood up to big Russian bully boy when Ward has feasted on beating up horribly overmatched and underpaid opponents since his super 6 days and also has everything weighed in his favour the whole time. The lack of self awareness is quite amazing. I'm amazed that this is how they've tried to sell it. It's terribly misjudged I think.

[Ricky_]

Ofcourse. We spend so much time complaining about the best not fighting the best... i'm hardly going to go to bed when they do.

WAR KOVALEV

[Stuarty]

I've got all 5 kids this weekend and was up daft o'clock this morning so doubt I'll be able to stay up. I'll watch some of tonight's fight, head to bed and watch this no doubt early tomorrow when the kids get me up again

[Ruthless-RKO]

I've got all 5 kids this weekend and was up daft o'clock this morning so doubt I'll be able to stay up. I'll watch some of tonight's fight, head to bed and watch this no doubt early tomorrow when the kids get me up again

Avoid all contact with the web!

[Stuarty]

I've got all 5 kids this weekend and was up daft o'clock this morning so doubt I'll be able to stay up. I'll watch some of tonight's fight, head to bed and watch this no doubt early tomorrow when the kids get me up again

Avoid all contact with the web!

Phone will be off mate. Out of bed, strong coffee and telly on. I'm always tempted to look if I don't watch it right away. I'm like a fuckin child that way

[Terminator666]

Stay up all night or get up early then again the Rigo fight could send me to sleep before the main event

[Taansend]

I'll get home from work around 11:20pm Eastern US time. I think the fight will probably be done with by then but I hope I'm wrong.

[Fearful_Freddie]

Krusher looks very focused. Think he'll stop Ward this time.

[Bard of Boxrec]

In all likelihood I'll end up watching this in the casino, but I'm hoping it's another intriguing fight as staying up for vegas fights always fooks up the rest of your weekend!

I guess if I don't stay out there's no chance of being able to catch a YouTube recording in the morning without seeing the result on there

[Bard of Boxrec]

I think both men are hitting the deck this time around and Ward will get the decision again.

What evidence is there that cotton-fisted Ward is capable of even dropping Kovalev? He hardly landed anything flush in the last fight to the head, and I can hardly see Kovalev wilting from a Ward body shot. Plus Ward throws mostly single shots in this one.

Did Ward even deck Paul Smith?

[lefty]

Ward will win in more convincing fashion this time. There won't be the outrage like last time.

[Stuarty]

How can you even think about that fight when its Paul Smith fight week...

I've had a semi most of the week just thinking about it. I've more or less got a full blown throbber on now that we're just hours away

[Bard of Boxrec]

I feel like it'll be another close one. The crucial factor in the fight is Ward's activity. He basically has to keep his output on that knife-edge of throwing enough to win but not too much to open himself up to that power.

I don't think he'll be throwing much more than the last fight because he simply can't afford to. It was close last time but there is more margin for error for Kovalev since Ward won't be hurting him.

I think Kova will be very conscious of pacing and fight very disciplined while subtly upping the output, even if it means just hitting arms and shoulders.

Anyway, I am desperate for Kova to win this. Getting a stoppage would be the icing on the cake. Either way very interested to see what Ward has to say should he lose.

[veriton]

im not watching it, in fact i dont even care about the result. ward is one of the most boring fighters on the planet, they already fought and it was a boring fight. kovalev is one dimensional. no idea why this is happening when there are more interesting fights for both men.

[Bard of Boxrec]

im not watching it, in fact i dont even care about the result. ward is one of the most boring fighters on the planet, they already fought and it was a boring fight. kovalev is one dimensional. no idea why this is happening when there are more interesting fights for both men.

I don't see how any real boxing fan could have found the first fight boring. Although Ward is. And calling Kovalev one dimensional is just clueless. Have you even watched any of his fights?