Kovalev on Ward's Retirement: Good for Boxing, Fans & Division!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Part of Sergey Kovalev is disappointed that Andre Ward announced his retirement from boxing Thursday.

Just last weekend, Kovalev discussed his desire to land a third fight against Ward at some point. That third fight might never have happened, however, thus Kovalev is looking at Ward’s retirement as a positive for the entire light heavyweight division.

“If it’s 100-percent true, it’s good for the boxing,” Kovalev said. “You know, because it’s good for the boxing. We’re ready to fight again for these titles and it makes interesting fights between great fighters. Right now, in our division [there are] a lot of good and strong fighters who wants to get these titles, you know? And this will be very, very good fights for the boxing fans.”

By retiring, the 33-year-old Ward (32-0, 16 KOs) gave up the IBF, WBA and WBO light heavyweight titles. The Hayward, California, native retired as the consensus No. 1 boxer, pound-for-pound, in the world as well.

When asked Thursday if being denied a third shot at Ward is disappointing, Kovalev replied, “Yes and no. If this fight can happen very quickly, I’m happy.

“If it’s a long time waiting, and just to fight close to titles, it’s no good. I wanna be best in this division and I wanna fight with the best fighters in this division.”

Kovalev isn’t sure, either, if the timing of Ward’s announcement, on the same morning as the press conference to announce his next fight, was strategic.

“I don’t know,” Kovalev said. “I don’t think about him at all because I’m looking forward to get my goals. What was my last two fights, it’s already history. I forgot about this.”

Kovalev acknowledged, though, that, “His team and himself, they can play mentally the games. They did it before the rematch. I don’t know. I don’t care at all.”

[IKSRTFO]

Part of Sergey Kovalev is disappointed that Andre Ward announced his retirement from boxing Thursday.

Just last weekend, Kovalev discussed his desire to land a third fight against Ward at some point. That third fight might never have happened, however, thus Kovalev is looking at Ward’s retirement as a positive for the entire light heavyweight division.

“If it’s 100-percent true, it’s good for the boxing,” Kovalev said. “You know, because it’s good for the boxing. We’re ready to fight again for these titles and it makes interesting fights between great fighters. Right now, in our division [there are] a lot of good and strong fighters who wants to get these titles, you know? And this will be very, very good fights for the boxing fans.”

By retiring, the 33-year-old Ward (32-0, 16 KOs) gave up the IBF, WBA and WBO light heavyweight titles. The Hayward, California, native retired as the consensus No. 1 boxer, pound-for-pound, in the world as well.

When asked Thursday if being denied a third shot at Ward is disappointing, Kovalev replied, “Yes and no. If this fight can happen very quickly, I’m happy.

“If it’s a long time waiting, and just to fight close to titles, it’s no good. I wanna be best in this division and I wanna fight with the best fighters in this division.”

Kovalev isn’t sure, either, if the timing of Ward’s announcement, on the same morning as the press conference to announce his next fight, was strategic.

“I don’t know,” Kovalev said. “I don’t think about him at all because I’m looking forward to get my goals. What was my last two fights, it’s already history. I forgot about this.”

Kovalev acknowledged, though, that, “His team and himself, they can play mentally the games. They did it before the rematch. I don’t know. I don’t care at all.”

Good for Kovalev because now there's no one in the division to punk him. But the damage is already done.

[Bard of Boxrec]

I guess it is. His balls will never be the same

[gilgamesh]

I even had to call Kovalev out on something he said, and I'm a fan of the guy. He said "Ward retired because he's scared of me"

I responded to him "This is a silly thing to say, he fought you twice"

That being said. It certainly isn't hurting my feelings any for Ward to go away. I won't miss him.

[Impractical Poster]

[Ricky_]

It really sucks Kov was jobbed over like Golovkin was in his first bout with Ward. Pity they aren't american.

[Tanzio]

It really sucks Kov was jobbed over like Golovkin was in his first bout with Ward. Pity they aren't american.

Not even remotely comparable.

[boxing_rocks]

Ward is not scared of Kovalev now and wouldn't fight him again anyway.

However, I agree: Ward's retirement is good for the division and boxing in general.

[Kalan]

I even had to call Kovalev out on something he said, and I'm a fan of the guy. He said "Ward retired because he's scared of me"

I responded to him "This is a silly thing to say, he fought you twice"

That being said. It certainly isn't hurting my feelings any for Ward to go away. I won't miss him.

Ward IS scared... Scared of what a 3rd meeting would bring when Kovalev got rid of Judas David Jackson and acquired a coach who didn't sabotage his efforts.. Kovalev would have trained relentlessly to annihilate Ward.. There's nothing but bad blood between these 2 and there was nothing from their 2 meetings in the ring that tells you Ward has the ability to out-box or out-punch Kovalev or any of the top Light Heavyweights.. He can out-dirty Kovalev and pitch low blows with the help of a friendly referee.. Any cheating bastard can do that.

[BAD INTENTIONS]

I even had to call Kovalev out on something he said, and I'm a fan of the guy. He said "Ward retired because he's scared of me"

I responded to him "This is a silly thing to say, he fought you twice"

That being said. It certainly isn't hurting my feelings any for Ward to go away. I won't miss him.

Ward IS scared... Scared of what a 3rd meeting would bring when Kovalev got rid of Judas David Jackson and acquired a coach who didn't sabotage his efforts.. Kovalev would have trained relentlessly to annihilate Ward.. There's nothing but bad blood between these 2 and there was nothing from their 2 meetings in the ring that tells you Ward has the ability to out-box or out-punch Kovalev or any of the top Light Heavyweights.. He can out-dirty Kovalev and pitch low blows with the help of a friendly referee.. Any cheating bastard can do that.

Uh huh ... yeah.

Also hate Judas David Jackson.
He should have never betrayed Jesus Christ Kovalev.