BoxRec

Well Ward cleary isn't the same fighter from Kessler, Froch and Dawson fights, he looks more stiffer and less tricky but I have the feeling Kovalev has ageing as well and he's slowing down. I think this fight will be close, can't rule out a draw or SD.

IMO Ward will not need to be in his prime to win one of his typical ugly decisions over Kovalev. He'll smother Kovalev's power with his clutch-and-grab style and win a competitive but clearcut decision.

Best Coast wrote:IMO Ward will not need to be in his prime to win one of his typical ugly decisions over Kovalev. He'll smother Kovalev's power with his clutch-and-grab style and win a competitive but clearcut decision.

Kovalev was in the same situation vs Hopkins and he did pretty well.

Kovalev has a long history of underestimating his opponents and being punished for that. According to him, the first time it happened at 14, when as a youth champion of Russia, he lost in a local tournament to an unknown guy. The same happened against Chilemba. Sergey will be a different fighter against Ward.

boxing_rocks wrote:Kovalev has a long history of underestimating his opponents and being punished for that. According to him, the first time it happened at 14, when as a youth champion of Russia, he lost in a local tournament to an unknown guy. The same happened against Chilemba. Sergey will be a different fighter against Ward.

I 'm pretty sure both guys will be very motivated and won't underestimate each other.