10-9 Kovalev
20-17 Kovalev KD’s Ward
30-26
40-35
49-45
59-54
68-64
77-74
86-84
96-93
105-103
114-113 Kovalev.
Very close fight, between two excellent fighters, very high level stuff. So many close rounds. I felt rounds 3, 5, 7 10 and 12 were all real swing rounds. I gave 2 of them to Kovalev and 3 of them to Ward. Based on how you scored those will probably dictate who you have winning.
Just analysing my card at least, it seems Ward figured Kovalev out as the fight went on which somewhat explains how he was able to decisively win the rematch.
Sorry. Kovalev won the fight handily. One jab at a time and occasional body shot doesn't win you the close rounds. I 'll give Ward a few of the late rounds but u can make a case Kov swept the first 6 rounds plus a knockdown and then won a couple of the later rounds. I had it 8-4 Kovalev. Look at Ward's face and reaction after the decision was announced, it tells u he knew he got lucky and received a gift.
Kov rounds 1-4 (3 was the closest so far, still a Kov round and people gave it Ward because he didn't get dominated like the first 2 rounds, round 4 was similar to round 3)
ward round 5 (good round from ward here, Kov stalking but Ward does enough work to earn it)
Kov round 6 (closer than the first 4, Ward competitive for the first 90 seconds but Kovalev lands the best shots in the 2nd part of the round, two rights hands giving him the round)
Ward rounds 7-9 (looked like Ward would go to win the remaining rounds after his success here, momentum with him)
Kov round 10 (laughable that the judges gave Ward this round, Kov's best round since 6th, this round was a robbery, no other way to describe it)
Ward round 11 (Kovalev looks tired, both do but ward lands the better shots, jab at the end snapping kov's head back seals it)
Kov round 12 (close but Kovalev landed the better and landed more)
Fight was a bit closer than i remembered but i can't give Ward 7 rounds, no way.
That is why the result was bogus, Ward did very well in 2nd half and won 4 rounds, but he got beaten 7-5 or 8-4 ( I can't give him 6 rounds, never mind the 7 he needed to win) and got knocked down also. This should have been Kovalev's best career moment, instead it essentially ruined him inside and outside of the ring.
Ward knew he lost, you could tell from his reaction at the bell and during/after the scorecards.
Agree. BS way for a fighter to lose his championship.
Ward wins 6 of the final rounds on 2 scorecards and 5 out of 6 on the third scorecard.
You see those numbers and you'd say Ward dominated the second half of the fight, which I didn't see happen. The final half of the fight was typical Ward tactics and all the rounds were close. Yet Ward wins 17 out of the 18 on the 3 cards? No way.
That is why the result was bogus, Ward did very well in 2nd half and won 4 rounds, but he got beaten 7-5 or 8-4 ( I can't give him 6 rounds, never mind the 7 he needed to win) and got knocked down also. This should have been Kovalev's best career moment, instead it essentially ruined him inside and outside of the ring.
Ward knew he lost, you could tell from his reaction at the bell and during/after the scorecards.
Ward wins 6 of the final rounds on 2 scorecards and 5 out of 6 on the third scorecard.
You see those numbers and you'd say Ward dominated the second half of the fight, which I didn't see happen. The final half of the fight was typical Ward tactics and all the rounds were close. Yet Ward wins 17 out of the 18 on the 3 cards? No way.Just because there were close rounds doesn't mean Ward didn't win them.
Ward wins 6 of the final rounds on 2 scorecards and 5 out of 6 on the third scorecard.
You see those numbers and you'd say Ward dominated the second half of the fight, which I didn't see happen. The final half of the fight was typical Ward tactics and all the rounds were close. Yet Ward wins 17 out of the 18 on the 3 cards? No way.
Had them. After that fight, every fight he was in and including when he got stopped the Eleider Alvarez he was trying to force knockouts. Mcgirt did a good job having him use a jab again now he's done for.
He’s never been the same fighter following that first fight I reckon. I feel like taking the loss really hurt him mentally. Age has definitely caught up with him as well now.
He has elite skills. His jab and judgement of distance are exceptional.
Had them. After that fight, every fight he was in and including when he got stopped the Eleider Alvarez he was trying to force knockouts. Mcgirt did a good job having him use a jab again now he's done for.
I remember watching live thinking Kovalev won. When I watched it again before the rematch without the HBO commentary I thought it could go either way. One thing I think is the main takeaway for me is that Kovalev's boxing skills were way, way underrated.
He has elite skills. His jab and judgement of distance are exceptional.
That's a completely fair score card.
Though, I actually had the judges card because I felt Ward figured Kov out after the 3rd round, but I don't hate on anybody who had it the other way for Kov or even a 7-5 draw.
7-5 either way is definitely fair. So many close rounds.
I remember watching live thinking Kovalev won. When I watched it again before the rematch without the HBO commentary I thought it could go either way. One thing I think is the main takeaway for me is that Kovalev's boxing skills were way, way underrated.
10-9 Kovalev
20-17 Kovalev KD’s Ward
30-26
40-35
49-45
59-54
68-64
77-74
86-84
96-93
105-103
114-113 Kovalev.
Very close fight, between two excellent fighters, very high level stuff. So many close rounds. I felt rounds 3, 5, 7 10 and 12 were all real swing rounds. I gave 2 of them to Kovalev and 3 of them to Ward. Based on how you scored those will probably dictate who you have winning.
Just analysing my card at least, it seems Ward figured Kovalev out as the fight went on which somewhat explains how he was able to decisively win the rematch.
That's a completely fair score card.
Though, I actually had the judges card because I felt Ward figured Kov out after the 3rd round, but I don't hate on anybody who had it the other way for Kov or even a 7-5 draw.
i did score the fight watching it for the 2nd time(i watched live but was drinking) a few weeks later...it was awhile ago and i dont remember how i scored it
but i do agree that if you just watched the fight as a whole you probably thought kovalev was gonna knock ward down again and maybe stop him...or win comfortably....and ward came on and seemed "figure him out" as you said.....the way ward was able to get up and seemingly get more comfortable, when you probably thought he wasnt goint to last or do well at that point, probably swayed some people...i wonder if it did with the judges
Yeah great point. The fact that Ward began doing better probably did sway the judges. I was watching the Sky version and both Paulie and Macklin gave Ward the 3rd round. I think Kovalev won that round but it was nowhere near as decisive as the previous round. That most likely would affect people physiologically when scoring the round as it appears one guy is improving on his performance whilst the other is not.
10-9 Kovalev
20-17 Kovalev KD’s Ward
30-26
40-35
49-45
59-54
68-64
77-74
86-84
96-93
105-103
114-113 Kovalev.
Very close fight, between two excellent fighters, very high level stuff. So many close rounds. I felt rounds 3, 5, 7 10 and 12 were all real swing rounds. I gave 2 of them to Kovalev and 3 of them to Ward. Based on how you scored those will probably dictate who you have winning.
Just analysing my card at least, it seems Ward figured Kovalev out as the fight went on which somewhat explains how he was able to decisively win the rematch.
i did score the fight watching it for the 2nd time(i watched live but was drinking) a few weeks later...it was awhile ago and i dont remember how i scored it
but i do agree that if you just watched the fight as a whole you probably thought kovalev was gonna knock ward down again and maybe stop him...or win comfortably....and ward came on and seemed "figure him out" as you said.....the way ward was able to get up and seemingly get more comfortable, when you probably thought he wasnt goint to last or do well at that point, probably swayed some people...i wonder if it did with the judges