Sergey Kovalev vs Andre Ward

[mickey1975]

Despite it being close it kind of feels like a worse result than maybe it should.

Kov winning would have been a shot in the arm for a more entertaining style of boxing. Instead it's Ward and his awful methods that have been rewarded. I'm surprised at how disappointed I am.

UFC seems to get more mainstream column inches...and boxing just anointed another guy guaranteed to turn off any news fans tuning in.

UFC gets nowhere near the coverage boxing gets in the uk.

[Boxerbeetle]

Now the dust has settled a bit, I'm just glad we got to see 2 genuine elite prime guys actually fight each other. Big credit to Ward for stepping up to the plate, unlike some (ahem, Stevenson).

[Counter-puncher]

Now the dust has settled a bit, I'm just glad we got to see 2 genuine elite prime guys actually fight each other. Big credit to Ward for stepping up to the plate, unlike some (ahem, Stevenson).

[lefty]

He's terrible. Talks for the sake of it to fill what he perceives to be 'dead air' and then once in a mindset, won't deviate for anyone or anything.

Adam Smith is the worst commentator I've heard.

Nick Halling got a lot of stick, but he talked far less rubbish than Smith and he seemed to wield less influence on the other commentators than Smith does.

When Smith is talking his nonsense the other commentators seem obliged to follow his lead.

This. Plus the fact that an American is on the commentary team you get the feeling the others feel uncomfortable about criticising the American fighter.

Malignaggi talked rubbish all night.

Will agree to disagree.

[Ricky_]

It's fine to have it either way. It's not fine to spend the whole fight from round 3 onwards talking one guy up when you admit that the rounds are close. It's not the first time...

Sky have been doing this for fornicating years. They make their mind up before the fight then when the guy they picked does some good work the bias really kicks in.

I remember one instance late on when Ward forearm pushed Kovalev under the top rope and Adam Smith went bezerk about how Ward was now the one coming forward.... what a moron.

They also scored Ward 10-9 in round 10 because they completely ignored a series of hard clean punches landed by Kovalev in the middle of the round.

The commentry and punditry was piss poor last night.

[hitman_hatton1]

Now the dust has settled a bit, I'm just glad we got to see 2 genuine elite prime guys actually fight each other. Big credit to Ward for stepping up to the plate, unlike some (ahem, Stevenson).

stevenson has been like the forgotten man just recently.

it couldn't have happened to a nicer fella.

[lillywhite14]

Despite it being close it kind of feels like a worse result than maybe it should.

Kov winning would have been a shot in the arm for a more entertaining style of boxing. Instead it's Ward and his awful methods that have been rewarded. I'm surprised at how disappointed I am.

UFC seems to get more mainstream column inches...and boxing just anointed another guy guaranteed to turn off any news fans tuning in.

It really doesn't get more column inches. The monday after mr hype won his second belt, BBC breakfast didn't even run a story on it during their sport section, whereas they covered show jumping amongst other things. It didn't exactly dominate the papers either, and this from an Irish fighter too.

I enjoyed last nights fight. I prefer to watch a master of his art as opposed to the jack of all trades ( which I do appreciate absolutely )
To think people cream themselves over McGregors hands...last night showed just how far off the elite 'strikers' ( with hands at least ) he really is. Wards checkhooks were beautiful

[Covfefe]

He wouldn't make European level boxing never mind championship level.

[lillywhite14]

For once I thought the scores where spot on

I was pleased to finally have what seemed a fair decision called for a very close fight.

[Ezzard]

You and I will watch boxing no matter what. But I don't now anyone under 18 who prefers boxing to UFC. Too many Wards for them to care. Too many Mayweather-Pac Man superfights.

[handsofstone]

Can't remember Kovalev landing a meaningful shot in the second half of the fight,Ward was guilty of spoiling but he was also the only guy landing,I'm surprised so many people thought Kovalev won TBH

[Vincent stevenson]

I personally thought kovalev won very clearly . I believe that he was the victim of his own success early on . And by that I mean because he won the early rounds convincingly in the latter part of the fight the rounds were a bit closer but there was only one boxer winning these close rounds ( kovalev ) . But because ward was more competitive in these rounds maybe led the judges to believe he was winning them when in fact he was only getting beat up a little less .

[Ezzard]

I personally thought kovalev won very clearly . I believe that he was the victim of his own success early on . And by that I mean because he won the early rounds convincingly in the latter part of the fight the rounds were a bit closer but there was only one boxer winning these close rounds ( kovalev ) . But because ward was more competitive in these rounds maybe led the judges to believe he was winning them when in fact he was only getting beat up a little less .

Kind of feel there is something to what you say.

[lillywhite14]

You and I will watch boxing no matter what. But I don't now anyone under 18 who prefers boxing to UFC. Too many Wards for them to care. Too many Mayweather-Pac Man superfights.

Those of that age I do know who prefer it, box themselves so that kind of influences it I guess!

I'd say from my experience that the casual UFC fan is about as casual a sports fan there is. 'See Conor's post fight interview? Almost as on point as his suit and Bentley pics from the day before...oh and that beard' It's very, shall we say, 'bro'?

Having said that I've started to take more interest. I enjoyed the big card last weekend, well what I see of it. Was entertaining. I like the mix of styles, it's a great idea really. Just lacks substance imo.

[Boxerbeetle]

Can't remember Kovalev landing a meaningful shot in the second half of the fight,Ward was guilty of spoiling but he was also the only guy landing,I'm surprised so many people thought Kovalev won TBH

Same here. I think some people are just looking at aggression and not much else.

[lillywhite14]

Can't remember Kovalev landing a meaningful shot in the second half of the fight,Ward was guilty of spoiling but he was also the only guy landing,I'm surprised so many people thought Kovalev won TBH

Same here. I think some people are just looking at aggression and not much else.

I'd say Ward comfortably outlanded him from round 5 onwards. Not that punches landed means eff all really!

It was as tight as a nuns chuff. Let's just hope the rematch gets done

[Vincent stevenson]

Ward is a product of the worst scoring system in amateur boxing history where 3 of the 5 judges had to press within a second of each other to register a point . It produced dreadful top level amateur boxing that was more akin to sword fencing and has subsequently been changed . Ward still looks for one shot then tries to hold or spoil. But this is pro boxing where aggression and forcing the fight should be major factors . And didn't you have to really beat the champion to take his title ? Not just jab and grab

[Boxerbeetle]

Ward is a product of the worst scoring system in amateur boxing history where 3 of the 5 judges had to press within a second of each other to register a point . It produced dreadful top level amateur boxing that was more akin to sword fencing and has subsequently been changed . Ward still looks for one shot then tries to hold or spoil. But this is pro boxing where aggression and forcing the fight should be major factors . And didn't you have to really beat the champion to take his title ? Not just jab and grab

If aggression and forcing the fight were the only major scoring factors, Provodnikov would be a P4P great.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Ward is a product of the worst scoring system in amateur boxing history where 3 of the 5 judges had to press within a second of each other to register a point . It produced dreadful top level amateur boxing that was more akin to sword fencing and has subsequently been changed . Ward still looks for one shot then tries to hold or spoil. But this is pro boxing where aggression and forcing the fight should be major factors . And didn't you have to really beat the champion to take his title ? Not just jab and grab

No, you don't, that's bullshit, people trot this line out again and again, as if you should have to do something extra to take the belt from the champ. There's a scoring system, you box to the rules, you win enough rounds, you win, you take the belt home.

If that produces results people don't like, that's a shame, but Ward is fighting to the code of the sport he competes in, it's not some sort of moral battleground.

[Vincent stevenson]

Ward is a product of the worst scoring system in amateur boxing history where 3 of the 5 judges had to press within a second of each other to register a point . It produced dreadful top level amateur boxing that was more akin to sword fencing and has subsequently been changed . Ward still looks for one shot then tries to hold or spoil. But this is pro boxing where aggression and forcing the fight should be major factors . And didn't you have to really beat the champion to take his title ? Not just jab and grab

No, you don't, that's bullshit, people trot this line out again and again, as if you should have to do something extra to take the belt from the champ. There's a scoring system, you box to the rules, you win enough rounds, you win, you take the belt home.

If that produces results people don't like, that's a shame, but Ward is fighting to the code of the sport he competes in, it's not some sort of moral battleground.

He's still boxing like an amateur and it's totally different and should be scored so . You're right there is a scoring system in place and a factor of it is is aggression

[Covfefe]

Ward is a product of the worst scoring system in amateur boxing history where 3 of the 5 judges had to press within a second of each other to register a point . It produced dreadful top level amateur boxing that was more akin to sword fencing and has subsequently been changed . Ward still looks for one shot then tries to hold or spoil. But this is pro boxing where aggression and forcing the fight should be major factors . And didn't you have to really beat the champion to take his title ? Not just jab and grab

No, you don't, that's bullshit, people trot this line out again and again, as if you should have to do something extra to take the belt from the champ. There's a scoring system, you box to the rules, you win enough rounds, you win, you take the belt home.

If that produces results people don't like, that's a shame, but Ward is fighting to the code of the sport he competes in, it's not some sort of moral battleground.

He's still boxing like an amateur and it's totally different and should be scored so . You're right there is a scoring system in place and a factor of it is is aggression

No it's not. It's effective aggression. Coming forward and missing your punches doesn't deserve to be scored whether you're pushing the fight or not.

[keithmoonhangover]

Ward is a product of the worst scoring system in amateur boxing history where 3 of the 5 judges had to press within a second of each other to register a point . It produced dreadful top level amateur boxing that was more akin to sword fencing and has subsequently been changed . Ward still looks for one shot then tries to hold or spoil. But this is pro boxing where aggression and forcing the fight should be major factors . And didn't you have to really beat the champion to take his title ? Not just jab and grab

No, you don't, that's bullshit, people trot this line out again and again, as if you should have to do something extra to take the belt from the champ. There's a scoring system, you box to the rules, you win enough rounds, you win, you take the belt home.

If that produces results people don't like, that's a shame, but Ward is fighting to the code of the sport he competes in, it's not some sort of moral battleground.

This..... of course.

[Vincent stevenson]

Ward is a product of the worst scoring system in amateur boxing history where 3 of the 5 judges had to press within a second of each other to register a point . It produced dreadful top level amateur boxing that was more akin to sword fencing and has subsequently been changed . Ward still looks for one shot then tries to hold or spoil. But this is pro boxing where aggression and forcing the fight should be major factors . And didn't you have to really beat the champion to take his title ? Not just jab and grab

If aggression and forcing the fight were the only major scoring factors, Provodnikov would be a P4P great.

If getting hit squarely in the face with absolutely no defence whatsoever and keep plodding forwards( which is what provodnikov does ) then yes he should be an all time p4p . But that's not what we are talking about here and you are surely not that stupid to think we are . Let's not get silly here

[Ezzard]

You and I will watch boxing no matter what. But I don't now anyone under 18 who prefers boxing to UFC. Too many Wards for them to care. Too many Mayweather-Pac Man superfights.

Those of that age I do know who prefer it, box themselves so that kind of influences it I guess!

I'd say from my experience that the casual UFC fan is about as casual a sports fan there is. 'See Conor's post fight interview? Almost as on point as his suit and Bentley pics from the day before...oh and that beard' It's very, shall we say, 'bro'?

Having said that I've started to take more interest. I enjoyed the big card last weekend, well what I see of it. Was entertaining. I like the mix of styles, it's a great idea really. Just lacks substance imo.

The thing is for a sport to thrive it needs those casual fans. I don't watch UFC.

I'm pretty sure Kov landed more punches...but like you say...not that it means much.

I think we're lucky in the UK. Most of our fighters, if not all, look to engage. Ward is more like the Italian national side in the 1970s.

[Autobarn]

Kovalev did outland Ward according to Punch stats, for what it's worth.

Oh, agreed with Ezzard about Ward's terrible jab and grab style.

Definitely, there are too many boxers looking to negate rather than produce clean boxing or skilful exchanges.