By Radio Rahim
Former two division world champion Timothy Bradley is not only backing Andre Ward to beat Sergey Kovalev - he expects the Olympic gold medalist to do it in style.
Ward (30-0, 15KOs) will challenge Kovalev (30-0, 26KOs) for the WBA/WBO/IBF light heavyweight titles on November 19th, likely at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The winner of this fight will be considered by many pundits as the best pound-for-pound fighter in boxing. HBO Pay-Per-View will carry the event.
Ward dominated the super middleweight division for several years and the fight with Kovalev will be his third official appearance at 175-pounds. He dominated previously unbeaten Sullivan Barrera in March, and then returned to action last Saturday to dominate Alexander Brand.
Bradley, who was ringside for Terence Crawford's masterful performance over Viktor Postol last month in Las Vegas, could see Ward beating Kovalev in the very same manner.
For the fight with Postol, Crawford adjusted his style and used a lot of movement and combined it with accurate counter-punching to create all sorts of issues for Postol.
With Crawford constantly moving his legs, Postol was never able to plant himself to throw combinations. Ward is unlikely to stand right in front of Kovalev - who many regard as one of the biggest punchers in the sport. Ward is expected to use a lot of movement and accurate punching.
Regardless of whatever Kovalev brings to the ring that night, Bradley confidently expects Ward to adjust to the tactics.
"I don't know how the fight plays out, but all I know is that [Ward] is another chameleon. He can adjust to anything that you bring. He's done it over and over again. He showed it over and over. He's an Olympic gold medalist. I got Ward winning that fight, almost like the same way [that Crawford beat Postol], that movement [will be the key]," Bradley told BoxingScene.com.