While I disagree with the result, the more I think about it, the more I realize that this is probably a good thing for boxing.
Assuming that the rematch can be booked pretty swiftly (let's not use Fury-Klitchko as a template, please) - the momentum of this fight can be captured and make for a BRILLIANT second fight.
Nothing is going to top Mayweather-Pac in terms of getting people talking - that's a given. But, this is the most rabid that fans have been since that travesty of a clusterf*ck, and fortunately, Ward/Kov is a fight that actually had some substance - which bodes well for a rematch.
In this business, you can't beat controversy. Fans lap it up. And while Kov has every right to feel hard done by, he needs to step up and knock Ward TFO next time. And there will be PLENTY of fans eagerly anticipating the rematch, no matter who they cheer for.
I'm loving the intense discussion this fight has created.
I definitely believe Ward adjusted better mid-fight. He showed some great adaptability, where as Kov was slowing down considerably, and that contributed to the perception that the fight "swung". Still, Ward didn't do enough to overtake Kov, IMO - but it's all in the books now.
Thurman is right - I reckon the rematch settles P4P best. If Ward wins, he's the man, 100%. If Kov wins, it'll be a win + a hugely debatable loss, which is enough to settle it as well.
I don't think Kovalev has the success he did early in a rematch. Ward looked shocked and confused on how to deal with Kovalev in the first quarter of the fight, he started to work him out after that. Ward wins clearly in a rematch.
The thing is, when ward started figuring out kovalev, he was barely winning rounds. There are technical adjustments kovalev can make too. I thought ward would take control of the fight at some point, but he never truly did. With that shaky performance....I'm not going to be quick to say ward clearly wins the rematch.