Ward: Can’t Take Anything Away From Kovalev’s Win Over Hopkins

By Keith Idec

NEW YORK – Andre Ward chose his words carefully.

He avoided detracting from the most noteworthy victory on Sergey Kovalev’s record – an unforeseen, 12-round domination of the legendary Bernard Hopkins in November 2014. The undefeated former super middleweight champion respects Hopkins’ accomplishments and his place in boxing history, particularly what Hopkins was able to do as a 49-year-old world champion prior to Kovalev beating him.

Ward admits he was surprised by Kovalev’s dominance that night at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.

“I expected it to be probably a more competitive fight,” Ward said earlier this week of a fight Kovalev won by scores of 120-107, 120-107 and 120-106. “Obviously, John David Jackson [Kovalev’s trainer] has had a very close relationship with Bernard Hopkins for many, many years. And I think that definitely helped. But then Kovalev went in there … with a guy Bernard’s age, the key is to try not to let them rest and get away with some of the things that they’re typically used to getting away with. I think it was just a good fight in terms of execution, specifically dealing with a [49]-year-old Bernard Hopkins. And he executed that game plan to a tee.”

Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 KOs, 2 NC), who hasn’t fought since losing to Kovalev, beat Beibut Shumenov, Karo Murat and Tavoris Cloud in his three bouts before facing Kovalev. Each of those opponents were significantly younger than Hopkins, yet none were nearly as diverse or powerful as Kovalev.

“I just think it’s a different level of skill,” Ward said. “No disrespect to the guys Bernard beat, but Bernard is getting up there in age and some guys he can get away with certain things and trick them and out-wit them. And some guys aren’t gonna go for it.

“Taking nothing away from Kovalev – you’ve gotta give him credit for what he did. It was an impressive victory. Some would ask questions on why he couldn’t stop him. In my mind, I try not to critique a guy or take too much away from him. I just give him credit for what he did, say it was a tremendous performance and he beat the great Bernard Hopkins. And that’s where I kinda leave it.”

The 32-year-old Ward (30-0, 15 KOs), of Hayward, California, and Russia’s Kovalev (30-0-1, 26 KOs) are set to meet November 19 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (HBO Pay-Per-View). They’ll fight for the 33-year-old Kovalev’s IBF, WBA and WBC light heavyweight titles.

Keith Idec covers boxing for The Record and Herald News, of Woodland Park, N.J., and BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.