Sergey Kovalev vs Andre Ward

[handsofstone]

This Saturday finally, 2 of the top fighters in the division and the world facing off like it should be, but for some reason I'm not up for it as much as I should be, strange,I can't really put my finger on why Ive not got the big fight buzz because I'm a big fan of both men and its a great clash of styles

Kovalev is one of the most devastating punchers in boxing and a very good technical fighter to boot and Ward is one of the most skillful fighters I've seen and the better calibre of opponent he's in with the more I appreciate him so I'm stumped as to how I'm not up for this?

The reason I think it may be isi think Ward will win and he's gonna nullify a lot of Kovalevs work and will spend a lot of time trying to get in close and hold Sergey and as Kovalev can't really fight on the inside it might end up messy,I hope Kovalev can get Ward on the end of his long punches to make it interesting and take Andre out of his comfort zone as he's had it too easy for too long and wins against the likes of Smith and Brand are hard to appreciate however dominant he was,Kovalev was a bit out of sorts against Chilemba but he still won wide and scored a nice knockdown and Isaac makes everyone look ordinary

I think Ward will win a decision,Kovalev might have success with single shots and maybe even look like he's troubled Andre at times but I think Ward is too skilled and will ride whatever storms there may be

[PredatorHayds]

The closer the fight gets the clearer I see Ward winning.
Chilemba showed Kovalev isn't the best on the inside.
I'd say Ward is the best inside fighter of the last few years.

Can Ward get inside? This is the question that decides how the fight goes. For me it's a resounding yes. I expect Wards head on Kovalevs chest the majority of the fight.

I really hope Kovalev can land clean to make it a exciting spectacle but I also like Wards chin.

[dalcumly]

Ward to take most of the early rounds with quick feet and counter punching. Around 7/8 Kovalev starts to land and a couple of knockdowns by the Russian brings the scores closer. Final round a stormer with Ward hanging on to survive. Very close but unanimous victory for Kovalev 115-114 on all cards. Now there's a prediction !!!

[TheLeprechaun]

Ward doesn't have to get inside. I don't know why people see Kovalev as the superior boxer on the outside? Ward is far more elusive and hard to hit. He can jab well and lead with hooks or right hands. Kovalev doesn't move his head.

Ward will have to respect every feint Kovalev throws though.

Ultimately I just don't think fighters like Ward lose to fighters like Kovalev when they are in their prime. I could see Kovalev winning if Ward was 4-5 years older. At the moment his reflexes are too good.

[afc]

Yeah I agree with handsofstone, ward will spoil a lot and turn it into a messy fight, but he'll do the sharper cleaner work along the way and win a unanimous decision, leaving kovalev very frustrated.

[mfc_se15]

Ward to take most of the early rounds with quick feet and counter punching. Around 7/8 Kovalev starts to land and a couple of knockdowns by the Russian brings the scores closer. Final round a stormer with Ward hanging on to survive. Very close but unanimous victory for Kovalev 115-114 on all cards. Now there's a prediction !!!

Please God let this be true!!!!

[emallini]

Hopefully Ward wins but it's a tough one

[rpms]

When first announced I could only see Kovalev stopping Ward late,but as it`s getting nearer I see Ward frustrating Kovalev for a SD.
Ward`s still sharp and moves well,but Froch wasn`t outclassed and that was at SM a few years ago so I see it being pretty close to call.
Getting excited for it now though.

[lefty]

I can see where you're coming from. I see Ward winning in an ugly fight. I don't think hes gonna do all the headbutting and that kind of stuff that people are worried about- however, what I do see him doing is Kovalev walking him down- then Ward will consistently throw a single jab to the body and then tie up. Completely nullifying Kovalev's ability to get anything off.

It will be a grim fight to watch I reckon with possible points getting taken off Kovalev as he gets increasingly frustrated and starts throwing his forearm in Ward's face in a desperate attempt to create room to throw punches.

Ward will consistency get off with single shots and then initiate the clinch; in turn stopping Kovalev from even getting any counters off.

Qoute this on Sunday morning

[Counter-puncher]

I can see where you're coming from. I see Ward winning in an ugly fight. I don't think hes gonna do all the headbutting and that kind of stuff that people are worried about- however, what I do see him doing is Kovalev walking him down- then Ward will consistently throw a single jab to the body and then tie up. Completely nullifying Kovalev's ability to get anything off.

It will be a grim fight to watch I reckon with possible points getting taken off Kovalev as he gets increasingly frustrated and starts throwing his forearm in Ward's face in a desperate attempt to create room to throw punches.

Ward will consistency get off with single shots and then initiate the clinch; in turn stopping Kovalev from even getting any counters off.

there's a good youtube analysis of Ward, showing how he takes an angle low and to his opponent's left (similar to some oldschool styles like Archie Moore and Chrlie Burley), throwing the jab from slightly off-centre (and often with a level-change), protected by his own left shoulder, which means he is almost always taking the opponent's right hand out of play, and his good athleticism means he is first to get his shot off. like you say if he can maintain space to his liking against Kovalev, I would expect a lot of jab >> clinch or occasional fast lead right hand >> clinch.

[lefty]

I can see where you're coming from. I see Ward winning in an ugly fight. I don't think hes gonna do all the headbutting and that kind of stuff that people are worried about- however, what I do see him doing is Kovalev walking him down- then Ward will consistently throw a single jab to the body and then tie up. Completely nullifying Kovalev's ability to get anything off.

It will be a grim fight to watch I reckon with possible points getting taken off Kovalev as he gets increasingly frustrated and starts throwing his forearm in Ward's face in a desperate attempt to create room to throw punches.

Ward will consistency get off with single shots and then initiate the clinch; in turn stopping Kovalev from even getting any counters off.

there's a good youtube analysis of Ward, showing how he takes an angle low and to his opponent's left (similar to some oldschool styles like Archie Moore and Chrlie Burley), throwing the jab from slightly off-centre (and often with a level-change), protected by his own left shoulder, which means he is almost always taking the opponent's right hand out of play, and his good athleticism means he is first to get his shot off. like you say if he can maintain space to his liking against Kovalev, I would expect a lot of jab >> clinch or occasional fast lead right hand >> clinch.

Yeah I think I know the video you mean. By a guy called Lee Wylie or something those lines? Anyway the guy in question breaks it down really well.

Kovalev himself actually jabs really well to the stomach and chest but Ward will stop him from getting into any kind of rhythm with that by getting his own shots off and then clinching. It's gonna be tedious to watch I'm sure but Ward's gonna do what he needs to win I guess.

[Counter-puncher]

yeah, lee wylie is really good

[Counter-puncher]

Kovalev himself actually jabs really well to the stomach and chest but Ward will stop him from getting into any kind of rhythm with that .

yes, i would imagine so

[davie]

Ward doesn't have to get inside. I don't know why people see Kovalev as the superior boxer on the outside? Ward is far more elusive and hard to hit. He can jab well and lead with hooks or right hands. Kovalev doesn't move his head.

Ward will have to respect every feint Kovalev throws though.

Ultimately I just don't think fighters like Ward lose to fighters like Kovalev when they are in their prime. I could see Kovalev winning if Ward was 4-5 years older. At the moment his reflexes are too good.

I agree to a point. Ward is the better inside and outside fighter, he is the more skilled boxer over all, with far more tricks up his sleeve.
But Kovalev is no plodding slugger, he knows how to box and his power is a real leveller.

There's a lot of variable and it's hard to weigh up, to the point where I am almost completely 50/50 split between a Kovalev Stoppage and a Ward points win.

[lefty]

The CS is gonna be an absolute shit show on Sunday. Freedom will be calling for an armed assault on Oakland or Trump to deport Ward or some batshit insane thing.

[Boxerbeetle]

Ward wins UD, although I've always suspected that Kovalev is a bit fragile and so wouldn't totally rule out a late stoppage.

[littlepug]

ward wins a decision in a fairly straightforward manner

[lillywhite14]

Ward by stoppage. Yeah, I said it, what?

[lefty]

Ward by stoppage. Yeah, I said it, what?

Don't let Riddick see this post.

[crusader]

Reading this thread I can understand why some aren't too excited for this!

Not much of a fight it seems....poor Sergey is going to get it even worse than Green, Miranda, Barrera, Rodriguez, and Brand did.

[lefty]

Reading this thread I can understand why some aren't too excited for this!

Not much of a fight it seems....poor Sergey is going to get it even worse than Green, Miranda, Barrera, Rodriguez, and Brand did.

What you cant conceive the possibility of Ward adopting the tactics mentioned?

[crusader]

My post had nothing to due with tactics.

This is being hyped as a big fight we should really be up for, but when people think Ward will cakewalk to an ugly win (which seems to be a popular opinion), or even beat up and stop Kov without much trouble, it's easy to see why some aren't too excited.

[lefty]

Fair enough.

[sweetscience]

Yeah I agree with handsofstone, ward will spoil a lot and turn it into a messy fight, but he'll do the sharper cleaner work along the way and win a unanimous decision, leaving kovalev very frustrated.

what he said

[TheLeprechaun]

Ward doesn't have to get inside. I don't know why people see Kovalev as the superior boxer on the outside? Ward is far more elusive and hard to hit. He can jab well and lead with hooks or right hands. Kovalev doesn't move his head.

Ward will have to respect every feint Kovalev throws though.

Ultimately I just don't think fighters like Ward lose to fighters like Kovalev when they are in their prime. I could see Kovalev winning if Ward was 4-5 years older. At the moment his reflexes are too good.

I agree to a point. Ward is the better inside and outside fighter, he is the more skilled boxer over all, with far more tricks up his sleeve.
But Kovalev is no plodding slugger, he knows how to box and his power is a real leveller.

There's a lot of variable and it's hard to weigh up, to the point where I am almost completely 50/50 split between a Kovalev Stoppage and a Ward points win.

Kovalev's best chance is clipping Ward on the side/back of the head while they are either in relatively close range clinching/wrestling. He'll definitely land some cuffing shots here and there and he might still have enough power to hurt him.

I don't see Kovalev doing anything from range though. If Kovalev ever gets reckless or frustrated and putting on more pressure, I can see Ward setting up big left hooks like the one he dropped Dawson with.

It's also interesting to see how a bully like Kovalev will react if Ward can bully him on the inside.