Who you going for?

[fightfan95]

Who you picking to win between Ward v Kovalev

[davie]

I'm really struggling. I've backed Kovalev all along.
At first I felt it was fairly wide, with size, strength and power being the difference (I know, I know, they're the same height)

I knew Ward was the better boxer, but I felt the difference in power outweighed the difference in technical abiltiy.
Let's be honest, Ward's no powder puff puncher and Kovalev isn't just some crude slugger, but we know who has the advantage in each department

As the months have passed, my opinion on the outcome has narrowed somewhat, to the point where I'm pretty much sitting on the fence and can see almost any outcome to this fight, I think the approach of the 2 could be massively key to it and I think there might be a major surprise in store for some, with rtegards the way one of them might approach this bout

I have swayed towards a Ward victory but I've stuck with my gut here and gone for Sergey

[boxing_rocks]

I am not struggling at all. Kovalev wins confidently.

[Enlightened-One]

In my mind, this is a 60-40 fight in favour of Ward defeating Kovalev.

I’m a neutral in regards to this matter, as I don’t really have a preferred “horse” in this proverbial “boxing race”, so I’m simply looking forward to what could either be an exciting bout or an incredibly boring one.

I feel that Ward will be walking a tightrope for the entire duration of the fight, because he’ll almost certainly try to outbox Kovalev en-route to scoring a dull decision victory, whilst also trying his upmost to avoid the Russian’s heavy-handed blows.

If Andre can’t “protect himself at all times”, by falling off that tightrope at some point during the fight, then Sergey has a decent chance of scoring an upset... and making this contest really exciting in the process.

I just hope that all the absurd hatred inevitably spouted by uneducated casual fight fans, accusing Ward of being boring, doesn’t drown out the praise that the American would definitely deserve for defeating such a marvellous fighter.

[davie]

In my mind, this is a 60-40 fight in favour of Ward defeating Kovalev.

I’m a neutral in regards to this matter, as I don’t really have a preferred “horse” in this proverbial “boxing race”, so I’m simply looking forward to what could either be an exciting bout or an incredibly boring one.

I feel that Ward will be walking a tightrope for the entire duration of the fight, because he’ll almost certainly try to outbox Kovalev en-route to scoring a dull decision victory, whilst also trying his upmost to avoid the Russian’s heavy-handed blows.

If Andre can’t “protect himself at all times”, by falling off that tightrope at some point during the fight, then Sergey has a decent chance of scoring an upset... and making this contest really exciting in the process.

I just hope that all the absurd hatred inevitably spouted by uneducated casual fight fans, accusing Ward of being boring, doesn’t drown out the praise that the American would definitely deserve for defeating such a marvellous fighter.

There are few fighters in the sport that can walk that tightrope so well as Andre does and there are few trainer instill such discipline as Hunter

He will have to fight the fight of his life, but it won't come as a huge surprise.

I do however think there will be times where he will be dragged into a fight. Ward is strong inside and not afraid to match rougher opponents in a brawl when it is absolutely necessary but doing that against Kovalev is a whole different thing, I think that is where this could be one or lost.

[Lenny Cravats]

I'll be hoping for a Kovalev win. I really enjoy watching that guy fight. Though if I were a betting man, I'd say that Ward will use his noggin, tactically spoil and win ugly - by a good few rounds.
Ward, 9-3 in a dissapointing affair were Ward does everything possible to avoid getting hit leaving Kovalev frustrated and viewers annoyed. Whatever happens, I'll probably be avoiding here for a while. I can imagine that kind of threads now.

[gilgamesh]

I think Kovalev will be able to get to Ward at some point and hurt him and possibly finish him late. It wouldn't surprise me if Ward was able to defensively shut down Kovalev's offense for long periods in the fight, but I can't see him avoiding Kovalev's firepower for the whole fight. Kovalev's not too shabby a boxer himself, and I think he will be able to figure out ways to get to Ward as the fight goes on even if it's a little tricky for him early.

[T w_savage]

I'll be hoping for a Kovalev win. I really enjoy watching that guy fight. Though if I were a betting man, I'd say that Ward will use his noggin, tactically spoil and win ugly - by a good few rounds.
Ward, 9-3 in a dissapointing affair were Ward does everything possible to avoid getting hit leaving Kovalev frustrated and viewers annoyed. Whatever happens, I'll probably be avoiding here for a while. I can imagine that kind of threads now.

I'm along those lines, can Kov control the distance battle? That's the key imo, if he can then he can win..

It may well turn out to be a stinker tho.

Having said all that I'm going Kov, against my boxing brain mind you but I just have a feeling. Need to see them on the scales before I really commit though.

[Cent0089]

unpredictable fight, anything is possible:
- Ward win an ugly fight full of holding and headbutting
- Ward win an comfortably decision
- Ward win a tko, because his punching power is underrated
- Ward win because of disqualification of frustrated Kovalev when Ward is holding and clinching, possibility of breaking Wards arms
- Kovalev win with a decision, because his boxing skills is underrated
- Kovalev win with a ktfo punch
- draw
- unpredictable decision in hands of judges

[crusader]

Ward UD

[lefty]

I've picked Ward on points in the PTBF but it was a really tough pick. It wouldnt shock me in the slightest if Kovalev knocks Ward out. As others have mentioned; it's hard to envision Ward not getting tagged with something big at some point. It's gonna be about how well he rides the inevitable storm he'll face at some point/s throughout the fight.

[lazboy]

John david Jackson said they'll approach this fight like the Hopkins fight. I hope they are just trying to throw ward off the scent. I hope they don't mean they'll fight ward like they did Hopkins. If they do they are giving ward time, allowing him to control the pace. I feel kov needs to outwork ward, just get his gloves on him to begin with, nothing to hard. Also after watching brand ward, I agree wards punching power is underrated. I don't see him out punching kovalev normally but again, if kov fights him like Hopkins that could happen.

I'm going for kovalev though but I'll be nervous.

[MachoTime]

I going with Kovalev slightly since Andre Ward is a outstanding fighter. Reason being is that Kovalev is also a outstanding fighter who has fought at 175 for basically his whole career. The last five years or so Ward hasn't fought anyone near the level of Kovalev. Also Kovalev I believe is a under rated Boxer. Kovalev can box and punch. I think it goes the distance. However Ward has a very good shot so I wouldn't be surprised if he won but I don't think Ward will beat Kovalev.

[Jip]

i hope kovalev wins, simply love the action style and hate the boring style.

[Badhusker]

Ward. I think Kovalev will have his moments, but will be outclassed. Ward will show us why he is at or near the top pfp.

If I'm wrong, I will make sure I am back in here to congratulate Krusher, and admit I am wrong. A lot of people thought Dawson would tune up Ward too, because he beat Bhop. Ward is better than Kovalev, and will prove it I think.

[crusader]

And a lot of people thought Hop would beat Kovalev...the biggest poll on this forum was almost exactly 50/50, and Hop had a 13-12 edge (or something like that) in an ESPN 'experts' poll.

[boxing_rocks]

Ward. I think Kovalev will have his moments, but will be outclassed.

Kova will just need ONE of his moments, and the chinny hugger will be finished.

[Deadendgeneration]

I'll be hoping for a Kovalev win. I really enjoy watching that guy fight. Though if I were a betting man, I'd say that Ward will use his noggin, tactically spoil and win ugly - by a good few rounds.
Ward, 9-3 in a dissapointing affair were Ward does everything possible to avoid getting hit leaving Kovalev frustrated and viewers annoyed. Whatever happens, I'll probably be avoiding here for a while. I can imagine that kind of threads now.

This. Ward comfortably on points. Hope I'm wrong.

[samdance]

I see a good fight here, with kov hurting ward early but ward too smart to get stopped. Ward loses early rounds being careful.

Ward settles and takes middle rounds.

Kov comes on strong in the championship rounds being the naturally bigger guy.

114-113 either guy

[Bard of Boxrec]

Kovalev by stoppage in around 8.

I don't think much will happen in the first few rounds, Ward will likely succeed in lowering Sergey's output, but Ward will be expending a lot of energy on the back foot, moving around, trying to be evasive and grabbing Kovalev. While Sergey will just be commanding the centre of the ring and biding his time.

As the rounds go on and Ward tastes Kovalev's power it will be evident that Ward just isn't throwing enough to outland the oncoming Kovalev and is largely in survival mode. From then it will just be a matter of time, Kovalev will catch him and hurt him at some point, and catch him more frequently until the ref steps in.