WARD: "Now I've seen the best of Kovalev, the rematch will be a LOT different".

In a new interview with TMZ HERE Ward speaks confidently about a potential rematch. Ward says.. "I really believe that once I've seen a fighter, and been in the ring with a fighter, I have a tremendous advantage in the rematch. Because I feel like, I can make certain adjustments and do certain things differently and unfortunately, his style is set. He has an Eastern European style, which is a great style, it's hard to deal with which took me a few rounds to get used to. But that's the best that he has. At 33 years old that's the best shape that Kovalev can be in. That's the best fighter that we're gonna see. And I don't believe the fans saw the best Andre Ward. I think they saw a necessary Andre Ward, somebody who can bite down, scratch and claw, and dig out a tough win. But now that I've seen him, the rematch is gonna be a lot different". TELL EM DRE!! :boxing: And I totally agree. Technical masters like Ward gain knowledge of their opponent with each round that goes by. That's why he got better as the fight wore on. Now he's had another tough twelve rounds to shake off more rust. And has tasted all Kov has to offer, I think the rematch could be bad news for our Russian friend tbh!!..

Comments (20)

BBomber

I think that's a decent enough theory, but I don't think it's a given. I mean this fight has been on the table for most of this year and maybe even a little of last year (idr the exact timeline so feel free to correct any confusion I have). If Ward can't be ready for Kovalev with almost a full year if not a full year and change I think maybe we've seen the best of Ward or at least he's on the slide. People have seen certain guys of this era performing at a high level for a long ass time i think. The reality is most great fighters were shot or shadows of themselves by their early 30s. I think that's pretty normal. Opponent, age and weight matter. Just a couple of recent examples: At 147 , Pac ' approach is much less aggressive. Same for Floyd, at 147 and above he was way more cautios and less active. As for opponents, GGG did not fight Lemiuex the same way he fought Brook.

9y ago

Dean_Razorback

i don't understand how people can keep underestimating kovalev's skill and overrating ward, seriously. they are both what we've seen already, no more. the only difference (besides judges) it's kovalev's power and the fact that he knows that ward can't hurt him.

9y ago

MOMENTO_MORI

I don't know. In what scenario is ward the aggressor? Kovalev's power isn't going anywhere, his jab isn't so I'm lead to believe we'll see the same fight plus more knockdowns, with the fight decided by a TKO in the middle rounds.

9y ago

LoadedWraps

9y ago

Graz

You think Kovalev left it up to chance this time? I think Kovalev was putting forth a good effort. I thought both guys put forth a good effort. I don't buy that Kovalev didn't see the best Ward, but I think a boxer learns more from a fight about how to win a rematch than a puncher does thus there is a edge to boxers in the rematch. I think Kovalev thought he had a comfortable lead with the KD in round 2 and that was his undoing. I personally don't think Ward did enough to win but one can also say that Kovalev didn't either. Having said that you have the best "Panda" video on the site:)

9y ago

Jc8804

Kovalev will beat him again. This dude got a gift decision and is acting like he won 9-3 and made it look easy. Instead of being humble and talking about things he needs to fix He and his corner of hunter are being boastful trying to make themselves Think they are better than they really are. 85% of the planet thinks ward lost. The only ones defending ward are black people who are biased towards black fighters. Get outside of that box and real fight fans saw kovalev get robbed . There isnt anything different ward can do .

9y ago

Hype_job

I think Ward is right. I'd bet if you looked up the stats of boxers vs punchers where the boxer won the first fight he wins the 2nd fight a overwhelming majority of the time. Why do you assume Ward is the better boxer? Kovalev outboxed him and showed he has stellar boxing skills. They looked to be on par in the skills department. Dre had no answer for Kovalev's jab.

9y ago

Freddy

This time Kov's going for the kill. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/07/30/17/2AF42B3A00000578-3180244-Game_over_The_predator_prevails_going_in_for_the_kill_by_biting_-a-16_1438272820110.jpg

9y ago

Graz

huh? my prediction? I think Kov needs to KO ward if we have the same kind of judges. I dont think Kovalev can win a decision. Agree. You will see a much more aggressive Kovalev. He's not going to leave it up to chance this time.

9y ago

hugh_grant

Why does ward think that's the best kov? Kov has never looked that bad! But kov knoiws he's got to take the fight to the hometown boy next fight. Unless the judges too scared to rob kov a 2nd time. Ward didnt take it to the champ because of home advantage. But kov certainly will take it to hometown boy.

9y ago

FightingWords

Ward is not the same fighter he was back in the super six days. Foot work is not there and his patient leaping hook is none existent. Regardless of who people thought won the fight, the fact is Kovalev was still able to hang with Ward in the boxing department. Where Ward was suppose to box his ears off. And ironically, that's what made the fight so close. Not the knock down. If Ward could adjust going into the rematch he could win it. But it will never be an easy fight for him.

9y ago

mathed

You better learn how to block a jab because Killa Kov will be peppering you with about 70 a round in the rematch you arrogant prick.

9y ago

champion4ever

huh? my prediction? I think Kov needs to KO ward if we have the same kind of judges. I dont think Kovalev can win a decision.Yeah, I see what you saying. I happen to agree. I believe the very same thing too.

9y ago

Mr_Objectivity

Do you mean if Kovalev knocks him out or wins a decision? huh? my prediction? I think Kov needs to KO ward if we have the same kind of judges. I dont think Kovalev can win a decision.

9y ago

champion4ever

Not if we have incompetent judges yet again...it wontDo you mean if Kovalev knocks him out or wins a decision?

9y ago

Mr_Objectivity

Not if we have incompetent judges yet again...it wont

9y ago

champion4ever

Kovalev will be after him like a shark and will definitely be more aggressive the next time. He knows he'll need two KDs at least and really a KO in Oakland. I'm looking forward to what both of them do in the rematch, but I think the Krusher will be on him hard.I agree. In order for the "Krusher" to win this fight, then he is gong to have to fight at a much faster pace. He can't fight Andre's fight by slowing down the pace while landing only single punches at a time; Mostly jabs. If he wins, it is going to have to come by way of knockout because there is no way he is going to out box Andre Ward to a decision victory.

9y ago

champion4ever

That is what him and Mayweather have in common. They both are excellent at making adjustments. In addition, it's very difficult to land the same punch on them more than once. Therefore, if Kov can't hurt or drop him again in the rematch, then I just don't see anyway he can win the fight, because the general consensus among most spectators is that Andre dominated the second half of their previous fight. So, if Ward decides that he will start this fight exactly where he left, off by targeting and hurting Kovalev to the body, while circling away from Sergey's right hand, then I can see him winning this fight going away.

9y ago

Citizen_Koba

In a new interview with TMZ HERE Ward speaks confidently about a potential rematch. Ward says.. TELL EM DRE!! :boxing: And I totally agree. Technical masters like Ward gain knowledge of their opponent with each round that goes by. That's why he got better as the fight wore on. Now he's had another tough twelve rounds to shake off more rust. And has tasted all Kov has to offer, I think the rematch could be bad news for our Russian friend tbh!!.. I agree to a point and it's possible Dre has the greater ability to adapt, but.... How many rematches has Andre won to test this theory? In how many rematches has Kovalev shown his ability to adjust and win more convincingly? I am leaning slightly more toward Dre in a rematch, partly because he'll be under less pressure to force the fight - to 'take' the title - and conversely Kovalev will be under greater pressure to go for the Ko which may open him up more, but Kovalev will have learned from the first outing too. We'll just have to wait and see how it plays out.

9y ago

RockampRoll

Stop flapping your gums you arrogant pr!ck. Actions speak louder than words, and I watched your fighting style. Technical, yes. Entertaining, hardly. I wonder if i can put money on the second fight being even less entertaining than the first. It's a sure bet. Wouldn't put money on Choclotito's rematch being any less entertaining though.

9y ago