... the so-called controversy of their rematch is nothing more than a manufactured excuse by Kovalev, 34, who is from Russia and fights out of Los Angeles, and his team for supposed low blows that were the final punches Ward threw. In fact, while there may have been a shot or two during the bout that strayed low, none appeared on to be on purpose and, in fact, some were on the beltline area that referee Tony Weeks physically showed was legal during the pre-fight instructions.
What really happened here was that Ward, ... broke Kovalev mentally and physically. The end really began when Ward crushed the "Krusher" with probably the best right hand he has ever landed earlier in the eighth round. The shot badly wobbled Kovalev, whose legs nearly gave out on him. From there, Ward continued to pound Kovalev, who backed into the ropes, bent over and took three more body shots. He was done and Weeks stepped in at 2 minutes, off 29 seconds to give Ward a huge victory. Kovalev never complained to Weeks about the stoppage, a clear sign that it was legit. Ward, not known as a KO puncher, did outstanding body work throughout the fight, including landing 10 among the 20 total punches he landed in the eighth round, according to CompuBox statistics... The rematch was named "No Excuses." So nobody wants to hear any from Team Kovalev.
"What’s the excuse for not liking Andre Ward now?" (Source: The RING)
The fight was billed as “No Excuses.”
But after Andre Ward scored an eighth-round TKO over Sergey Kovalev, there were nothing but excuses coming from Team Kovalev. Maybe there were a few punches that drifted below the belt during that final onslaught that caused referee Tony Weeks to stop the fight. But it’s not Ward’s job to stop the action. And, to be completely honest, those questionable punches aren’t what began the demise of Kovalev. It was a right hand that landed clean that put the Russian on shaky legs and began his search for the exit row.
A right hand from Ward damaged Kovalev and put him in deep trouble. If nothing else, Kovalev’s body language was of a fighter who didn’t want to be there. S.O.G. sought the knockout and hunted his staggered prey. One can argue that the fight could have went longer... But it may have only delayed the inevitable. Furthermore, it’s not Ward’s job to stop the action.
Unfortunately, between Kathy Duva and Team Kovalev’s post-fight rant and the somewhat controversial finish, some will still not give Ward his due. There will be those who are critical of Ward’s performance and won’t give him his due because of what can be deemed as a controversial stoppage.
But THE RING magazine’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world scored a knockout over the No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter. There are no questions. Ward is the best fighter alive at this very moment. Whether you like it or not.
We don’t know what the future holds for Ward. Maybe he squares off with Adonis Stevenson or bumps up another weight class. But, even then, it’s never going to be good enough for a few.
However, on June 17, 2017, Andre Ward stopped one of the most feared fighters in the world. He got the job done, again.
What’s our excuse for not appreciating his greatness now?
Thoughts?
