BoxRec

"After weeks of speculation, Andre Ward (28-0, 15 KOs) has agreed to a multi-fight deal with HBO and will return to the ring Nov. 21 in the co-featured bout on the undercard of the highly anticipated Miguel Cotto-Saul “Canelo” Alvarez fight at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
The recently inked deal was announced by Ward’s promoter, Jay Z’s Roc Nation Sports, and will find the super middleweight champion making his debut as a light heavyweight and set in motion a potential high-profile showdown with 175-pound champion Sergey Kovalev next fall."

Looks like Ward is doing exactly what some of his critics have wanted him to do- go after a showdown with Kovalev.
If this goes true to form, it may determine who is P4P #1 next fall.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/boxing/an ... 23467.html

The fight didn't get any closer. It is only mentioned as "potential". Ward will never dare to get into the ring with Krusher.

ikorolev wrote:The fight didn't get any closer. It is only mentioned as "potential". Ward will never dare to get into the ring with Krusher.

Don't see why not.

Kovalev presents a problem, yes.

But, if anyone can solve him it is Ward.

He has beaten men as skilled than Kovalev, and taken punches from bangers
only a few pounds lighter than Sergei.

I think Ward wins and pretty convincingly.

It'll happen. I'll be rooting for Kovalev and I think he gets it.

It's a great fight, though.

clopixolacuphase wrote:It'll happen. I'll be rooting for Kovalev and I think he gets it.

It's a great fight, though.

It would be a great fight, and as a fan of both men, I can't lose.

And I'll say it again, the winner will be my P4P #1

koolkc107 wrote:

clopixolacuphase wrote:It'll happen. I'll be rooting for Kovalev and I think he gets it.

It's a great fight, though.

It would be a great fight, and as a fan of both men, I can't lose.

And I'll say it again, the winner will be my P4P #1

koolkc107 wrote:

ikorolev wrote:The fight didn't get any closer. It is only mentioned as "potential". Ward will never dare to get into the ring with Krusher.

He has beaten men as skilled than Kovalev, and taken punches from bangers
only a few pounds lighter than Sergei.

That was a long time ago. Ward clearly has changed. The fact that he is pushing fights with bums proves that something is wrong with him, mentally or physically.

Also, none of boxers he faced hit even close to how hard Kova hits.

this would be a huge fight if it happens. would go kovalev all the way. think he is a better box then froch and more powerful,which ward could not stop, i would base it on the fight when Sergey beat hopkins.though i would expected ward to be favourite .hope it happens

brilo33 wrote:this would be a huge fight if it happens. would go kovalev all the way. think he is a better box then froch and more powerful,which ward could not stop, i would base it on the fight when Sergey beat hopkins.though i would expected ward to be favourite .hope it happens

If you go back and watch Kovalev dominate BHop in addition to Kovalev's mastery you will also see some things that Bernard might have taken advantage of but couldn't because of age and lack of speed or power.

These are areas Ward will exploit.

Andre is at least the equal of BHop defensively.

And he is bigger, stronger, faster, and more powerful.

He will present huge problems for Sergei, ones that only Kovalev's offensive skills and power has a chance of overcoming.

My bet is that defense beats offense this first time (I am hoping for multiple go arounds here)
and Ward is just good enough defensively and has just enough chin to make him a clear winner.

koolkc107 wrote:

brilo33 wrote:this would be a huge fight if it happens. would go kovalev all the way. think he is a better box then froch and more powerful,which ward could not stop, i would base it on the fight when Sergey beat hopkins.though i would expected ward to be favourite .hope it happens

If you go back and watch Kovalev dominate BHop in addition to Kovalev's mastery you will also see some things that Bernard might have taken advantage of but couldn't because of age and lack of speed or power.

These are areas Ward will exploit.

Andre is at least the equal of BHop defensively.

And he is bigger, stronger, faster, and more powerful.

He will present huge problems for Sergei, ones that only Kovalev's offensive skills and power has a chance of overcoming.

My bet is that defense beats offense this first time (I am hoping for multiple go arounds here)
and Ward is just good enough defensively and has just enough chin to make him a clear winner.

like i say ward is favourite,we know he is the best boxer.but is kovalev the best to face him with skill and power

koolkc107 wrote:

brilo33 wrote:this would be a huge fight if it happens. would go kovalev all the way. think he is a better box then froch and more powerful,which ward could not stop, i would base it on the fight when Sergey beat hopkins.though i would expected ward to be favourite .hope it happens

If you go back and watch Kovalev dominate BHop in addition to Kovalev's mastery you will also see some things that Bernard might have taken advantage of but couldn't because of age and lack of speed or power.

These are areas Ward will exploit.

Andre is at least the equal of BHop defensively.

And he is bigger, stronger, faster, and more powerful.

He will present huge problems for Sergei, ones that only Kovalev's offensive skills and power has a chance of overcoming.

My bet is that defense beats offense this first time (I am hoping for multiple go arounds here)
and Ward is just good enough defensively and has just enough chin to make him a clear winner.

Would you mind noting what some of those exploitable things were?

For all the stick he gets, plenty of which is deserved, Ward's resume is brilliant. Not many have cleaned out a very good division like he did in the super six. If he was more active over the past couple of years I'd probably pick him over anyone from 160 to Cruiserweight. I probably still would if it wasn't for Kovalev.

ElJefe wrote:For all the stick he gets, plenty of which is deserved, Ward's resume is brilliant. Not many have cleaned out a very good division like he did in the super six. If he was more active over the past couple of years I'd probably pick him over anyone from 160 to Cruiserweight. I probably still would if it wasn't for Kovalev.

SMW has never been a good division. Ward gets all the praise for THREE good wins: Abraham, Kessler and Froch who are all rather limited. He hasn't beaten any slick boxer.

ikorolev wrote:

ElJefe wrote:For all the stick he gets, plenty of which is deserved, Ward's resume is brilliant. Not many have cleaned out a very good division like he did in the super six. If he was more active over the past couple of years I'd probably pick him over anyone from 160 to Cruiserweight. I probably still would if it wasn't for Kovalev.

SMW has never been a good division. Ward gets all the praise for THREE good wins: Abraham, Kessler and Froch who are all rather limited. He hasn't beaten any slick boxer.

Three better wins than plenty of other champions. The achievements of those fighters can't be ignored. Ward went in as an underdog and cleaned out the division within 2 years.

squiggy wrote:

koolkc107 wrote:

brilo33 wrote:this would be a huge fight if it happens. would go kovalev all the way. think he is a better box then froch and more powerful,which ward could not stop, i would base it on the fight when Sergey beat hopkins.though i would expected ward to be favourite .hope it happens

If you go back and watch Kovalev dominate BHop in addition to Kovalev's mastery you will also see some things that Bernard might have taken advantage of but couldn't because of age and lack of speed or power.

These are areas Ward will exploit.

Andre is at least the equal of BHop defensively.

And he is bigger, stronger, faster, and more powerful.

He will present huge problems for Sergei, ones that only Kovalev's offensive skills and power has a chance of overcoming.

My bet is that defense beats offense this first time (I am hoping for multiple go arounds here)
and Ward is just good enough defensively and has just enough chin to make him a clear winner.

Would you mind noting what some of those exploitable things were?

I thought Kovelev lunged a bit at times, leaving himself open to counters.
Bhop rarely tried counters and missed most of those he did.
That will not be the case with Ward.

There were also plenty of shots BHop got hit with that he would not have as a younger fighter
or even 3 or 4 years ago. Ward will block or slip many of those...and counter.

Sergei also looked to be very vulnerable to lead rights.
Again, maybe it was because he had to chase.
He won't have to try and find Andre.

Ward will stay in his chest and wear Sergei out with close, short punches.

If you go back and watch Kovalev dominate BHop in addition to Kovalev's mastery you will also see some things that Bernard might have taken advantage of but couldn't because of age and lack of speed or power.

These are areas Ward will exploit.

Andre is at least the equal of BHop defensively.

And he is bigger, stronger, faster, and more powerful.

He will present huge problems for Sergei, ones that only Kovalev's offensive skills and power has a chance of overcoming.

My bet is that defense beats offense this first time (I am hoping for multiple go arounds here)
and Ward is just good enough defensively and has just enough chin to make him a clear winner.Would you mind noting what some of those exploitable things were?[/quote]

I thought Kovelev lunged a bit at times, leaving himself open to counters.
Bhop rarely tried counters and missed most of those he did.
That will not be the case with Ward.

There were also plenty of shots BHop got hit with that he would not have as a younger fighter
or even 3 or 4 years ago. Ward will block or slip many of those...and counter.

Sergei also looked to be very vulnerable to lead rights.
Again, maybe it was because he had to chase.
He won't have to try and find Andre.

Ward will stay in his chest and wear Sergei out with close, short punches.[/quote]
irrelevant.Kovalev will have to stop ward to win, which he can

Kovalev will have his toughest assignment by far, landing on Ward is not easy at all and usually gets answered with clean shots. I was slightly hesitant to pick Ward because of Kovalevs strength and chin. BHOP said he felt like a middleweight fighting a cruiserweight, that says a lot. Ward is obviously a special talent, I think he should win just has to last 12 rounds that's it. His skills and athleticism are superior to kovalevs, and that will be the key to the fight.

If this fight comes off, I believe that each man will be facing their toughest opponent.

If it did happen, I'd like Ward to win it, but I don't think he can beat Kovalev.

Kovalev is a killer & a bigger guy to boot.

I want to see Ward actually doing some fighting & against some actual LHWs with a pulse before taking on a task as mighty as Kovalev.

Syntax Error wrote:If this fight comes off, I believe that each man will be facing their toughest opponent.

If it did happen, I'd like Ward to win it, but I don't think he can beat Kovalev.

Kovalev is a killer & a bigger guy to boot.

I want to see Ward actually doing so fighting & against some actual LHWs with a pulse before taking on a task as mighty as Kovalev.

It will definitely be the biggest challenge each man will face.

And it also be the toughest test...but there is also the possibility that it will be easy for either.

Kovalev has enough skill and power to change the game plan of anyone he fights. If Ward cannot contend with those gifts, Sergei boatraces him.

Might be it turns out that Ward is just too good. I am still somewhat dumbfounded how so many posters can forget that it was not so long ago we were debating if it wasn't Ward that was the best in the world in a field that included Pac and Floyd.

Very nice fantasy fight. What a pity it is not gonna happen.

ikorolev wrote:Very nice fantasy fight. What a pity it is not gonna happen.

We'll see.

Me, I think this is similar to what happened with Floyd and Pac.

In retrospect, I don't think they would have paid Mayweather all that jack
without a solid guarantee that a fight with Pac was one of the six.

And I think HBO may have secured something similar regarding Kovalev and Ward.

koolkc107 wrote:

ikorolev wrote:Very nice fantasy fight. What a pity it is not gonna happen.

We'll see.

Me, I think this is similar to what happened with Floyd and Pac.

In retrospect, I don't think they would have paid Mayweather all that jack
without a solid guarantee that a fight with Pac was one of the six.

And I think HBO may have secured something similar regarding Kovalev and Ward.

Then why would they call the fight "potential" ?

Besides, Goossen also thought that he secured Ward for a certain number of years, but Ward decided otherwise.
He will just sue everybody or get injured and retire.

ikorolev wrote:

koolkc107 wrote:

ikorolev wrote:Very nice fantasy fight. What a pity it is not gonna happen.

We'll see.

Me, I think this is similar to what happened with Floyd and Pac.

In retrospect, I don't think they would have paid Mayweather all that jack
without a solid guarantee that a fight with Pac was one of the six.

And I think HBO may have secured something similar regarding Kovalev and Ward.

Then why would they call the fight "potential" ?

Besides, Goossen also thought that he secured Ward for a certain number of years, but Ward decided otherwise.
He will just sue everybody or get injured and retire.

Just go back and peep the language they used when Mayweather signed his deal.

You will see the similarity.

koolkc107 wrote:

ikorolev wrote: Then why would they call the fight "potential" ?

Besides, Goossen also thought that he secured Ward for a certain number of years, but Ward decided otherwise.
He will just sue everybody or get injured and retire.

Just go back and peep the language they used when Mayweather signed his deal.

You will see the similarity.

Anyway, Mayweather didn't sue his promoter and didn't fight bums like Smith or Brandt. Ward is not fighting Kovalev unless Sergey shows serious vulnerability.

ikorolev wrote:Very nice fantasy fight. What a pity it is not gonna happen.

Exactly. There's no way Ward signs a contract to fight this animal. At best, he will do a Floyd and wait until Kovalev is a fight away from retiring before signing on to fight him to maximize his chances.

I love how these dopes above are using the Kovalev/Bhop fight to prove why Ward will beat Kovalev. Kovalev won every second of that fight and handed Bhop the worst beating of his life. The only thing that fight tells you is that Kovalev is a beast.

Andre Ward's star has never been dimmer so he's trying to inject some publicity any way that he can to try to drum up some interest in his boring ass. First it was GGG and now it's Kovalev. I can't wait to hear what weight Ward wants to fight at...163? Come on.