BoxRec

Now we're talking... This fight is currently being negotiated and the probability is so high that Kovalev has already cancelled his title defense in Moscow in preparation. The fight is reported to be taking place at the light heavy limits as Ward is moving up in weight to meet Kovalev for his belts. I've been pretty critical of Andre Ward the past 3 years but if he takes this fight and not at a catch-weight then I will happily give him the credit for it as it would take some serious nuggets to do.

Ward moving up in weight to take on this monster, how the heck does this fight shake out? Will Ward's elite technique be too much for Kovalev or will Kovalev's power just be too much for Ward? I have no idea but one things for sure, the winner of this fight will have historical ramifications in the sport of Boxing. I don't think that there's a more important fight that can be made in 2016.

Who do you think wins this one?

http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/13 ... ward-fight

Great fight I'd still go with ward to win he's a very physically strong fighter as well as technical

If Ward is 100%, i'll take him by UD.

I saw Kovalev retweeting this story a few hours ago.

It would be one heck of a fight, possibly one for the ages. Two undefeated superstars. This is the sort of fight that can put Ward up to p4p #1. Ward hasn't exactly been active much over the last few years, and Paul Smith isn't one to help us gauge/remember how good he is, but I get the feeling that he would probably win. One thing to note with Kovalev is that he isn't just a power guy, against Hopkins we saw a guy with good ring craft. Could Ward take some of Krusher's big shots? What a fight it would be.

Batley18 wrote:I saw Kovalev retweeting this story a few hours ago.

It would be one heck of a fight, possibly one for the ages. Two undefeated superstars. This is the sort of fight that can put Ward up to p4p #1. Ward hasn't exactly been active much over the last few years, and Paul Smith isn't one to help us gauge/remember how good he is, but I get the feeling that he would probably win. One thing to note with Kovalev is that he isn't just a power guy, against Hopkins we saw a guy with good ring craft. Could Ward take some of Krusher's big shots? What a fight it would be.

So true. If Ward wins this one then he fully deserves that #1 P4P title and he could be the heir apparent to the throne that Floyd left.

The only thing that I don't like is the fact that Kovalev wants to fight 2 times before he meets Ward in the Fall. Why even chance a payday like that with some tuneup fights. Ward is thinking about fighting on the Cotto/Canelo undercard too...why would both guys chance it? Anything could happen and deter the momentum of this fight happening.

I'd much rather both guys decide on a fight in April or March and just start training for it now.

caldo2025 wrote:

Batley18 wrote:I saw Kovalev retweeting this story a few hours ago.

It would be one heck of a fight, possibly one for the ages. Two undefeated superstars. This is the sort of fight that can put Ward up to p4p #1. Ward hasn't exactly been active much over the last few years, and Paul Smith isn't one to help us gauge/remember how good he is, but I get the feeling that he would probably win. One thing to note with Kovalev is that he isn't just a power guy, against Hopkins we saw a guy with good ring craft. Could Ward take some of Krusher's big shots? What a fight it would be.

So true. If Ward wins this one then he fully deserves that #1 P4P title and he could be the heir apparent to the throne that Floyd left.

The only thing that I don't like is the fact that Kovalev wants to fight 2 times before he meets Ward in the Fall. Why even chance a payday like that with some tuneup fights. Ward is thinking about fighting on the Cotto/Canelo undercard too...why would both guys chance it? Anything could happen and deter the momentum of this fight happening.

I'd much rather both guys decide on a fight in April or March and just start training for it now.

I'd prefer they did - I can't see either of them losing to anyone else right now. And at least they will be properly match fit.

Not gonna happen unless Kovalev shows some serious vulnerability. Ward will either not accept terms or will find another way to duck.

If ward is 100% , I have kovalev winning by KO round 8

I just hope that if it happens, both guys are are their best.

Kovalev will knock out Ward whatever happens though.

Can't see Ward taking this fight. His chin wouldn't withstand it.

Be a great fight.

Great to see the non- Haymon fighters have big clashes against each other

Cotto-Canelo
GGG- Lemiuex
Now this.

I'd fancy ward to win on points.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
So true. If Ward wins this one then he fully deserves that #1 P4P title and he could be the heir apparent to the throne that Floyd left.

The only thing that I don't like is the fact that Kovalev wants to fight 2 times before he meets Ward in the Fall. Why even chance a payday like that with some tuneup fights. Ward is thinking about fighting on the Cotto/Canelo undercard too...why would both guys chance it? Anything could happen and deter the momentum of this fight happening.

I'd much rather both guys decide on a fight in April or March and just start training for it now.

I'd prefer they did - I can't see either of them losing to anyone else right now. And at least they will be properly match fit.[/quote]


I'm not going to get too excited about this fight because I really can't see Ward taking it. Even though most people will have Ward as the favorite, jumping up in weight class and taking on the best light heavyweight I've ever seen is a tall order. I'd give Ward every bit of respect and eat my words for all the names I've called him the last three years if he did...win or lose, taking this fight is hazardous.

I'd favour Ward to get a reasonably comfortable decision in an ugly affair that'd leave us disappointed in terms of entertainment, but pretty satisfied who the most effective boxer in the world is.

Yes, I'd got for Ward he just to a slick boxer for Kovalev.

One of the best fights that could be made in all of boxing in terms of caliber of fighters.

I like Kovalev much more, but I would pick Ward if this goes down. He'll make it ugly and frustrated his haters by doing exactly what they hate him for; lots of holding and mugging/using his head but he gets the win in a close decision.

To the people saying Ward is p4p 1 if he wins this, does beating Ward catapult Sergei to number 1 or his resume not strong enough?

caldo2025 wrote:

Batley18 wrote:I saw Kovalev retweeting this story a few hours ago.

It would be one heck of a fight, possibly one for the ages. Two undefeated superstars. This is the sort of fight that can put Ward up to p4p #1. Ward hasn't exactly been active much over the last few years, and Paul Smith isn't one to help us gauge/remember how good he is, but I get the feeling that he would probably win. One thing to note with Kovalev is that he isn't just a power guy, against Hopkins we saw a guy with good ring craft. Could Ward take some of Krusher's big shots? What a fight it would be.

So true. If Ward wins this one then he fully deserves that #1 P4P title and he could be the heir apparent to the throne that Floyd left.

The only thing that I don't like is the fact that Kovalev wants to fight 2 times before he meets Ward in the Fall. Why even chance a payday like that with some tuneup fights. Ward is thinking about fighting on the Cotto/Canelo undercard too...why would both guys chance it? Anything could happen and deter the momentum of this fight happening.

I'd much rather both guys decide on a fight in April or March and just start training for it now.

If, as you say, it's being negotiated for Autumn 2016, I'd happily take a fight or 2 each in the mean time.

Both guys will have plenty of Paul Smiths and Nadjib Mohammedis to choose from to keep active and represent virtually zero risk to either man.

And if the fans know this big one is on the horizon, all will be forgiven for taking easy opponents rather than sitting on their arses for 12 months

punchoutsb wrote:One of the best fights that could be made in all of boxing in terms of caliber of fighters.

I like Kovalev much more, but I would pick Ward if this goes down. He'll make it ugly and frustrated his haters by doing exactly what they hate him for; lots of holding and mugging/using his head but he gets the win in a close decision.

To the people saying Ward is p4p 1 if he wins this, does beating Ward catapult Sergei to number 1 or his resume not strong enough?

I think either man could have a fair shout at no1 slot if they win.
None of the other p4p contenders have a win on their resume to rival Ward or Kovalev

Winner is #1 p4p without question.

diddy wrote:Winner is #1 p4p without question.

yes

davie wrote:

caldo2025 wrote:

Batley18 wrote:I saw Kovalev retweeting this story a few hours ago.

It would be one heck of a fight, possibly one for the ages. Two undefeated superstars. This is the sort of fight that can put Ward up to p4p #1. Ward hasn't exactly been active much over the last few years, and Paul Smith isn't one to help us gauge/remember how good he is, but I get the feeling that he would probably win. One thing to note with Kovalev is that he isn't just a power guy, against Hopkins we saw a guy with good ring craft. Could Ward take some of Krusher's big shots? What a fight it would be.

So true. If Ward wins this one then he fully deserves that #1 P4P title and he could be the heir apparent to the throne that Floyd left.

The only thing that I don't like is the fact that Kovalev wants to fight 2 times before he meets Ward in the Fall. Why even chance a payday like that with some tuneup fights. Ward is thinking about fighting on the Cotto/Canelo undercard too...why would both guys chance it? Anything could happen and deter the momentum of this fight happening.

I'd much rather both guys decide on a fight in April or March and just start training for it now.

If, as you say, it's being negotiated for Autumn 2016, I'd happily take a fight or 2 each in the mean time.

Both guys will have plenty of Paul Smiths and Nadjib Mohammedis to choose from to keep active and represent virtually zero risk to either man.

And if the fans know this big one is on the horizon, all will be forgiven for taking easy opponents rather than sitting on their arses for 12 months

It would certainly hype the fight even more I guess, ha? I would just hate for one of them to get a cut or a head butt that brings delays and put a 2016 fight in jeopardy.

But maybe Ward wants to test the power of the light heavy division since he hasn't fought up there. So maybe you're right.

dont get it twisted kovalev beats ward for sure.

the wrestling, huggng, head butting dirty tactics against weight drained LH or limited guys like froch might fool you, but not me. ward is a very good technician, but kovalev is way to big and powerful, remember not so long ago was abraham hurting ward in the first 4 rounds and ward was struggling and now all of the sudden ward would win against a guy arguably the biggest puncher in light heavyweight history, no way. ward gonne dance around like x to avoid the KO, but kovalev beats him, 100 %. he got the condition, the stamina to put pressure from 1 to last round, hard punches from start to finish, ward cant deal with that sh()t,.

Chepppaaa wrote:dont get it twisted kovalev beats ward for sure.

the wrestling, huggng, head butting dirty tactics against weight drained LH or limited guys like froch might fool you, but not me. ward is a very good technician, but kovalev is way to big and powerful, remember not so long ago was abraham hurting ward in the first 4 rounds and ward was struggling and now all of the sudden ward would win against a guy arguably the biggest puncher in light heavyweight history, no way. ward gonne dance around like x to avoid the KO, but kovalev beats him, 100 %. he got the condition, the stamina to put pressure from 1 to last round, hard punches from start to finish, ward cant deal with that sh()t,.

Listen, if Bernard Hopkins tactics didn't work for a second then there's no way that Ward's do. Kovalev's style and power is impervious to these fighters that try to win ugly fights by clutching and potshotting and clutching and potshotting. Wards defensive skills are really underrated though. I can't remember the last fighter that landed something of substance on Ward-Probably when Boone knocked him down years ago. Stylistically, this is such a great matchup. The winner gets thrusted to super stardom. Everything is on the line.

Kovalev works his distances very well, stayed at the right distance so Hopkins couldn't clinch and was very hittable, ward loses the 0 if this goes ahead

The sooner the better for Boxing if this fight happens can Ward go up a few levels since his comeback[so to speak] because he will need to with the heavy handed Russian in Kovalev who has been fighting on the reg compared too Ward I think Ward will climb off the canvas to win a split dec
in the Fight of the year..............

Chepppaaa wrote:dont get it twisted kovalev beats ward for sure.

the wrestling, huggng, head butting dirty tactics against weight drained LH or limited guys like froch might fool you, but not me. ward is a very good technician, but kovalev is way to big and powerful, remember not so long ago was abraham hurting ward in the first 4 rounds and ward was struggling and now all of the sudden ward would win against a guy arguably the biggest puncher in light heavyweight history, no way. ward gonne dance around like x to avoid the KO, but kovalev beats him, 100 %. he got the condition, the stamina to put pressure from 1 to last round, hard punches from start to finish, ward cant deal with that sh()t,.

Ward is the same height as Kovalev and a strong guy in his own right.
Does he have Sergeys power? no!
but if he can make him miss all night it doesn't matter how heavy handed you are.

I think this is a very close match to call.
Although Ward is the superior technician, Kovalev is no mug and has shown he can box a bit and has skills and intellegence in the ring.
Just as Kovalev may have the edge in power, but Ward is a rough customer. Many are quick to label him a defensive fighter who runs all day when he is in fact a very good fighter in the inside, bullish, strong and no stranger to stretching the rules a little and roughing an opponent up.

And the biggest puncher in Light heavy weight history, that's a bold claim.
There's a guy called Bob Foster here with me, he wants a word.....