Kovalev Unimpressive-Ward Becomes Favorite

[caldo2025]

I know that Chilemba has a difficult style and I also know about the added pressure that boxers feel when fighting at home for the first time in awhile. But let's call this what it was. This was not the Kovalev that we've come to know and love. He looked slow, sluggish and had a hard time with Chilemba's jab.

Prior to this fight, I had Kovalev as the favorite over Ward. Now, I think that Ward is just going to exploit Kovalevs weaknesses and avoid getting hit with anything significant. The biggest reason for the change of heart is the fact that Chilemba manhandled Kovalev in clinches and we all know that Ward lives and thrives in the clinch. THAT is the key. Ward's ability inside that lockup will be the difference.

Have your thoughts changes about who wins Ward/Kovalev after Tuesday's fight?

[scallum2015]

Agree

[DannyMCR]

I agree, I had Ward ever so slightly edging it anyway. Kov has said he suffered from a cold during his camp and used that for the reason behind his underwhelming performance on the night.

[boxing_rocks]

Disagree. Even this version of Kovalev smashes Ward, and I am pretty sure that without home/Simakov related distractions and without catching cold, we will see a better version of the Krusher.

[Bard of Boxrec]

Disagree, this fight had no bearing on the Ward fight and Kovalev still has too much artillery for Ward.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Disagree. Even this version of Kovalev smashes Ward, and I am pretty sure that without home/Simakov related distractions and without catching cold, we will see a better version of the Krusher.

If Kovalev fought that poorly against Ward, he would definitely lose. I don't expect him to, and I think it will be a close fight.

Ward isn't ancient like Hopkins, and is every bit as awkward, and throws a lot more punches than B-Hop at this stage of his career.

[boxing_rocks]

Disagree. Even this version of Kovalev smashes Ward, and I am pretty sure that without home/Simakov related distractions and without catching cold, we will see a better version of the Krusher.

If Kovalev fought that poorly against Ward, he would definitely lose. I don't expect him to, and I think it will be a close fight.

Ward isn't ancient like Hopkins, and is every bit as awkward, and throws a lot more punches than B-Hop at this stage of his career.

Yeah, Ward may win a couple of rounds before getting stopped. There is a scenario though where he cuts or otherwise damages Kovalev with a carefully targeted headbutt.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Disagree. Even this version of Kovalev smashes Ward, and I am pretty sure that without home/Simakov related distractions and without catching cold, we will see a better version of the Krusher.

If Kovalev fought that poorly against Ward, he would definitely lose. I don't expect him to, and I think it will be a close fight.

Ward isn't ancient like Hopkins, and is every bit as awkward, and throws a lot more punches than B-Hop at this stage of his career.

Yeah, Ward may win a couple of rounds before getting stopped. There is a scenario though where he cuts or otherwise damages Kovalev with a carefully targeted headbutt.

Clearly your dislike of Ward allows you to believe that Kovalev will overwhelm a fighter as good as Ward with ease, despite the fact ward has never come close to being stopped, or as far as I recall, badly hurt.

You're going to look a real dick after the fight.

[Ricky_]

I was pretty confident Kovalev would get the job done, but watching him vs Chilemba i thought his boxing was pretty poor. He had Chilemba in real trouble given his power but from a boxing point of view he was unimpressive.


I'm still leaning towards Kovalev in truth, simply because i think that he will, at some point, hit Ward clean. We'll see what Ward's chin is made of, but I got a feeling he won't be able to recover if he gets tagged hard.

[MachoTime]

Ward does have a upcoming fight. Why not wait until after that fight and make a prediction.

[Freedom2013]

This was the perfect fight for Kovalev to prepare him for Ward, because crafty, long-armed Chilemba is a defensive spoiler like Ward. Isaac was very brave and determined.

Fighting another stiff like Mohammedi or Caparello would have done nothing to help Kovalev prepare for a crafty fighter like Ward.

But Chilemba revealed the weaknesses Sergey needs to work on and gave him the rounds he needed to be ready.

[SenorPipino]

It's true. It's true.

The fight opened as even money at most sports books, but after Kovalev's not-too-awesome showing against the dreaded Chilemba, Ward has rocketed to a nearly 8-5 (-150/+120) choice over the Mad Russian.

Ward, probably the most prolific technician in the sport today, will undoubtedly close a better than 2-1 choice.

He'll handle the lumbering Kovey like the frustrasted baby he is, and cement his claim as the sport's #1 P4P guy.

[Syntax Error]

I know that Chilemba has a difficult style and I also know about the added pressure that boxers feel when fighting at home for the first time in awhile. But let's call this what it was. This was not the Kovalev that we've come to know and love. He looked slow, sluggish and had a hard time with Chilemba's jab.

Prior to this fight, I had Kovalev as the favorite over Ward. Now, I think that Ward is just going to exploit Kovalevs weaknesses and avoid getting hit with anything significant. The biggest reason for the change of heart is the fact that Chilemba manhandled Kovalev in clinches and we all know that Ward lives and thrives in the clinch. THAT is the key. Ward's ability inside that lockup will be the difference.

Have your thoughts changes about who wins Ward/Kovalev after Tuesday's fight?

Good summation & I can see why you've changed your mind, but I would caution you to think hard about changing your mind so readily off the back of one performance.

I think Kovalev was just going through the motions here & it was an unofficiap;'[l tune-up.

It's very odd for fighters who have an upcoming superfight signed to engage in contests beforehand & that can sometimes play on their mind when they fight.

I'm inclined to still lean towards Kovalev, but he will have a tough fight with Ward; he always would have done, regardless.

[Counter-puncher]

If ward was that much a favourite I would definitely bet on kovalev

[Chepppaaa]

I know that Chilemba has a difficult style and I also know about the added pressure that boxers feel when fighting at home for the first time in awhile. But let's call this what it was. This was not the Kovalev that we've come to know and love. He looked slow, sluggish and had a hard time with Chilemba's jab.

Prior to this fight, I had Kovalev as the favorite over Ward. Now, I think that Ward is just going to exploit Kovalevs weaknesses and avoid getting hit with anything significant. The biggest reason for the change of heart is the fact that Chilemba manhandled Kovalev in clinches and we all know that Ward lives and thrives in the clinch. THAT is the key. Ward's ability inside that lockup will be the difference.

Have your thoughts changes about who wins Ward/Kovalev after Tuesday's fight?

a lot of wards tactics are simply illegal, i am not talking about elbows, low blows or head buts. i am talking what he did 1000000000 times in the barrera fight and that was turning his body, his whole head around. since i know it is illegal, to turn your back or turn your head on your opponent, did the rules change, i doubt?

kovalev fought chilemba, who is taller, bigger, stronger than ward. arguably even more athletic. and you act like chilemba is a nobody, who should be beaten easily.

to me ward struggled at times against barrera, i saw the fight and gave barrera easily 4 rounds, some were maybe even rds were both did nothing. so, kovalev and ward both didnt look spectacular in their last fights, its even, based on performance. ward didnt totaly dominate barrera, like he did with all the supper middleweight and kovalev was close to tko ing chilemba, like he does with everybody, but didnt do it.

i simply dont see the big deal. barrera is weak compared to kovalev and barrera looked way stronger than ward. i still think ward gonne get krushed. if ward had problems with barrera physical style ,than how on earth will he handle kovalev or bertebiev, guys with cruiserweight kind of power, i just dont see it.

[Chepppaaa]

ward gonne win against the next guy.

but this guy is gonne hurt ward, he got some power, maybe no adonis power, but that williams dude got power.

[Leatherface]

Before this i was thinking Kovalev tko rd


Now Kovalev KO in 5

[crusader]

Ive always liked Ward here, but I think some people are reading too much into one lackluster showing in a stay busy fight (that Kov still clearly won, doing a far better job on Chilemba than Alvarez did shortly before).

Loads of fighters have looked so so in stay busy matches, only to raise their game when it counts.

[Bard of Boxrec]

I don't know what folk thought they saw in the ward/Barrera fight but Andre really wasn't that impressive. Barrera got through with a decent amount, kovalev will have more success, and that will be punishment ward just can't afford to take.

[Pureist]

For a fighter that is labeled elite I thought he was quite average

[boxing_rocks]

For a fighter that is labeled elite I thought he was quite average

Probably had a few vodka shots here and there:

Steve Kim ‏@steveucnlive 1h1 hour ago
And JD Jax noted that Kovalev's training/prep were a bit hindered as he was being pulled in many directions by friends and family #boxing

[NateJR]

Ward should be a heavy favorite and should have been from the get go. Ward has all the tools to shut Kovalev down offensively and when this fight happens that's exactly what will happen. Ward will counter Kova early and often, followed with a quick step inside forcing a clinch. Kova will be lost in there against Ward and it will be very ant climatic when Ward wins a a 10/2 type fight. Then the excuses and crying will begin.

[NateJR]

I'm being honest, I just don't see Kova being effective against Ward and short of knocking Ward spark out I just don't see Kova winning. I also think Ward is much tougher than people are saying, Ward isn't going to fold after getting hit by a couple shots, that's crazy. Ward will handle Kovas power and it will be Ward wearing Kova down. I honestly can't wait to hear the cry babies on here when Ward wins this fight, it would be the typical douchebag excuses on why Ward made it look so easy.

[sykessta]

At the end of the day, we will find out on the night of the fight. Could just be an example of overlooking his man/fighting down to his opponents level.

[Boxerbeetle]

I've always fancied Ward against Kovalev and Monday's fight has certainly not changed my mind. But agree that one disappointing performance should have little bearing on the final outcome. Better for Kovalev to have an off day against Chilemba than against Ward anyway...