By Edward Chaykovsky
WBA, IBF, WBO light heavyweight world champion Andre Ward (31-0, 15KOs) has fired back at the post-fight complaints of Sergey Kovalev (30-1, 26KOs).
They collided two weeks ago at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with Ward getting off the floor in the second round to win the three world titles with a close twelve round unanimous decision.
Kovalev is furious with the loss. He's been very vocal with his complaints about the scoring, as there are many who believe that he did enough to win. He also said Ward did too much holding and wresting in the contest.
There is a rematch clause in place, and Kovalev has exercised his right to an immediate return fight.
Ward took to the social networks to fire back at Kovalev's complaints - and said the Russian fighter is complaining because he wanted no part of an inside fight and got tired in the second half of the contest.
"Dirty Fighter - this is what he really means, he doesn't want that inside work!! It's amazing to me that the same guy who said he would kick me in the ring if he had to, the same guy who said he wanted a street fight, is the same guy calling me a dirty fighter and the same guy crying foul because things didn't go his way," Ward stated.
"The reality is when a guy likes to fight one way, on the outside, and is very uncomfortable fighting inside, they call you a dirty fighter. It's called inside work!! That's the way I was taught, you have to be able to adapt and have more than one style at the highest level. Outside, mid range, and inside, if your going to survive for a long time in this game."
"Kov is a good fighter, but has one style. He fought the best fight he could fight and that's the best shape he could possible be in and he got tired!! Say what you may, the worst mistake he made was knocking me down. It woke me up, and from there we went to work. We bullied the bully. If there is a rematch, we are going to pick up where we left off!!"
