BoxRec

lefty wrote:The size difference is interesting to me because Kovalev is obviously the naturally the bigger man but I always remember Froch who was physically strong himself saying he was shocked at how strong ward was in the clinches. He said there wasn't much on his punches but that he was a strong bastard. Intetesting to see how that dynamic plays out at the weight class above.

Ward was deffinetly the bigger man in the ring. Froch's perhaps slightly taller but i remember seeing the complete tale of the tape and Ward being bigger in every sense except height and reach. I imagine he had a few pounds on Froch in the ring. Froch wasn't really that big a super middleweight probably weighing little more than Canelo in the ring.

Deadendgeneration wrote:

lefty wrote:The size difference is interesting to me because Kovalev is obviously the naturally the bigger man but I always remember Froch who was physically strong himself saying he was shocked at how strong ward was in the clinches. He said there wasn't much on his punches but that he was a strong bastard. Intetesting to see how that dynamic plays out at the weight class above.

Ward was deffinetly the bigger man in the ring. Froch's perhaps slightly taller but i remember seeing the complete tale of the tape and Ward being bigger in every sense except height and reach. I imagine he had a few pounds on Froch in the ring. Froch wasn't really that big a super middleweight probably weighing little more than Canelo in the ring.

True. Saying that though Groves is a big super middleweight aswell and I don't think Froch was troubled him in the same kinda way.

Ward is a strong guy without much pop.....there is a massive difference in punching power between Ward and Kovalev, but there isn't nearly the same disparity when it comes to physical strength.

Kovalev is probably my favourite fighter so I'm obviously going to want him to win, but I think it's going to be a cracking fight and probably a SD win for one or the other, with subsequent rematch.

One can dream.

lefty wrote:

Deadendgeneration wrote:

lefty wrote:The size difference is interesting to me because Kovalev is obviously the naturally the bigger man but I always remember Froch who was physically strong himself saying he was shocked at how strong ward was in the clinches. He said there wasn't much on his punches but that he was a strong bastard. Intetesting to see how that dynamic plays out at the weight class above.

Ward was deffinetly the bigger man in the ring. Froch's perhaps slightly taller but i remember seeing the complete tale of the tape and Ward being bigger in every sense except height and reach. I imagine he had a few pounds on Froch in the ring. Froch wasn't really that big a super middleweight probably weighing little more than Canelo in the ring.

True. Saying that though Groves is a big super middleweight aswell and I don't think Froch was troubled him in the same kinda way.

Groves isn't much of an inside fighter though, probably at his best up on his toes, so you wouldn't expect him to be particularly strong. He does punch harder than Ward though.

Anyway, I absolutely want Ward to win, I don't like Ward's S.O.G thing, coupled with his dirty and somewhat boring style. I'm picking him to take a decision though. Can't seen Kov out boxing him.

I'll be rooting for a good fight. Ward tends to stay in the pocket, so it will be really exciting to see how he will be able to defend against Kovalev's aggressive approach. This should be an amazing fight imo.

Hmm, let's see, a boring dirty clincher against an exciting KO artist. Hard decision

Loki wrote:Where is it taking place?

It's tentatively scheduled for Nov 19 in Las Vegas.

Ward may be fighting Erik Skoglund, according to Fat Dan.

Skogland is a weak opponent with a padded record.

Freedom2013 wrote:Ward may be fighting Erik Skoglund, according to Fat Dan.

Skogland is a weak opponent with a padded record.

I don't know how fighting Skoglund can prepare Ward for Kovalev. Shabranskyy would be much better choise for this purpose. As for Sergey, I think his team has choosen the best possible opponent to prepare him for Ward, because while their styles are different, Chilemba (like Ward himself) has very awkward, unorthodox style.

Boxing Writer wrote:

Freedom2013 wrote:Ward may be fighting Erik Skoglund, according to Fat Dan.

Skogland is a weak opponent with a padded record.

I don't know how fighting Skoglund can prepare Ward for Kovalev. Shabranskyy would be much better choise for this purpose. As for Sergey, I think his team has choosen the best possible opponent to prepare him for Ward, because while their styles are different, Chilemba (like Ward himself) has very awkward, unorthodox style.

x2 on Chilemba

He's the best guy at 175 to help Kovalev prepare for Ward.

I'll be rooting for Andre Ward! And I think he can win. I'm an American and my loyalty almost always starts with that. I'm definately biased towards American fighters but I am not delusional like some biased fans. I understand Ward will be a slight underdog by fight night, (it's probably a pick 'em right about now) but I think he is quick enough and experienced enough to last 12 rds with Sergey. If he can fight like he did against Kessler, we are in business. He will have to hold and roughhouse a bit in order to keep Kovalev off him. If he can combine those tactics with slick boxing, I think that is a recipe for victory. Ward does America proud in my opinion. If Kovalev blazed through him I would never pick against him again.

I want Kovalev to win but I think Ward will take it on points.

Not sure who I'll root for but I definitely feel Wards could be the best fighter in the world so I'll pick him to win while making Kovalev look ordinary .

i'll be rooting for kovalev

prefer kovalev, proper fighting man, be a good fight but i think kovalev has the beating of ward

Kovalev 100%...one of my favorites.

Kovalev by KO. He will catch Ward properly at some point and Ward will be done.

1. Activity: Kovalev
Kova - 8 fights in 3.5 years
Ward - 4 fights in 5 year
Even after the death of his evil promoter Ward stays inactive.

2. Style: Kovalev
Kova - KO 87%, entertainment value 10/10
Ward - KO 52%, entertainment value 8/10

3. Character: Kovalev
Kova wants to fight the best, unify, no BS.
Ward fighting weight drained Dawson, fat Pal Smith and is crying about lilG coming up and fight him in his division.

KOVALEV!

Boxing Writer wrote:

Freedom2013 wrote:Ward may be fighting Erik Skoglund, according to Fat Dan.

Skogland is a weak opponent with a padded record.

I don't know how fighting Skoglund can prepare Ward for Kovalev. Shabranskyy would be much better choise for this purpose. As for Sergey, I think his team has choosen the best possible opponent to prepare him for Ward, because while their styles are different, Chilemba (like Ward himself) has very awkward, unorthodox style.

Skoglund presents no risk, he's feather-fisted and won't win a decision in Oakland even if he deserves to.

Shabransky/Golden Boy wanted the same amount of money received by Barrera/Main Events. Ward's management and HBO said no. So Ward's management avoided him by refusing to pay him, because Shabranskyy would at least have a chance of stopping Ward.

Tarkus wrote:1. Activity: Kovalev
Kova - 8 fights in 3.5 years
Ward - 4 fights in 5 year
Even after the death of his evil promoter Ward stays inactive.

2. Style: Kovalev
Kova - KO 87%, entertainment value 10/10
Ward - KO 52%, entertainment value 8/10

3. Character: Kovalev
Kova wants to fight the best, unify, no BS.
Ward fighting weight drained Dawson, fat Pal Smith and is crying about lilG coming up and fight him in his division.

KOVALEV!

You're being generous with your rating of Ward's entertainment value. I'd say it's more like 5/10

NateJR wrote:You will need all the excuses you can come up with if this fight happens.. Kovalev Wii get comfortably out boxed.

Won't happen... Ward took a guy who wasn't a top amateur athlete, and only had 17 pro fights, and comfortably won on points... Kovalev took World Light Heavyweight Champions who beat Chad Dawson, Thomas Williams, Tony Bellew etc... and easily won every single round from them and knocked them out ... So it's difficult to see how Ward wins this at all -- much less wins easily... And who's he announcing as his next opponent???

I think Ward is getting cold feet -- just like Canelo... Santa Cruz... Saunders... Jacobs... Frampton... Walters... Pacquiao... Khan... Wilder... Danny Garcia... Mayweather... Bradley... Maidana... and a bunch of other duckers, avoiders, and cherry-pickers who have populated the World of Boxing lately.

Stuarty30 wrote:I want Kovalev to win but I think Ward will take it on points.

I think so too. I would love Kovalev to win, he's an exciting fighter who actually goes in to destroy but I think ward is too technical and neutralise him, especially on the inside. From what i've seen Kovalev struggles a bit with his inside punches but I could be surprised. This is my most anticipated fight given that Canelo/GGG isn't happening.

Announced for Nov 19th hasn't it

I'll be rooting for Kovalev. Like his spite and nastiness, just what boxing needs. Too many fighters having media training to come across as nice guys. Its Not a tickling contest .

I chose "Don't care as long as it's an exciting fight" although that kind of means Kovalev, doesn't it.

If Ward came out & fought an exciting fight and won then good for him but I see him plucking his way to a decision.

Ward has never faced anyone with an outstanding jab or outstanding power... I don't think he'll handle either very well.

Don't tell me Chad Dawson because Jean Pascal beat Dawson way before Ward ever beat a weight drained version of him... And don't tell me Carl Froch, because if Froch ever agreed to face Gennady Golovkin (he wouldn't fight GGG in his dreams) he would have been knocked cold. I like Froch, but the man was slow. He was a good puncher, but certainly not a great puncher. He was Ward's top opponent in terms of ability and accomplishments. I don't see anybody real good who Kovalev has beaten either: Pascal, Sallikh, Campillo, were never big hitters or super outstanding boxers. Hopkins was older than dirt. So I think Kovalev-Ward will be their legacy fight. I think Ward is having trouble coming to terms with the task of fighting Kovalev. He wanted Golovkin to come up and fight him without an acclimation fight.. He wanted 3 acclimation fights to meet Kovalev, but doesn't know exactly who he's going to fight next.. Until Kovalev vs Ward is signed, I look at it as I looked at all of Golovkin's potential opponents in recent years, especially Martinez, Cotto, and Canelo... They each had the Lineal Title and all said they were going to fight their mandatory Golovkin, but they were all talking out their asses.