Sergey Kovalev vs. Andre Ward

[Brickyardigan]

If Ward decides to fight dirty, he will realize that he is messing with a wrong guy. It will get real ugly real quick for him. But by all means, continue to believe what you believe. I just hope this fight happens.

Kovalev has a tendency to hit behind the head, which Ward will respond to with equal or more force. Ward isn't a dirty fighter but he will engage in dirty tactics when another fighter does that to him first. I remember that Bika fight which in my opinion was one of Ward's hardest fights and most dirtiest. Bika hit Ward under the belt line and instead of Ward complaining or looking to ref, he wrestled Bika to the ropes rips off a 4 punch combination and finish it with a muay Thai elbow straight across the cheek. It was beautiful.. Kovalev tends to hit in the back of the head so I expect this fight to be one of the most dirtiest fights with the highest skill level. It will be a marvelous spectacle..

[Brickyardigan]

Good points. Closing the distance is dangerous against Kovalev though. His shots are straight and accurate and he can let them go without setting his feet. This is a different ball-game to facing Froch or Kessler.

Yeah the thing is though Ward is probably the most defensively responsible fighter in the ring and he gets elite advice from Virgil Hunter. Trust me they are watching a lot of film on Kovalev and will have a great gameplan. Kovalev needs distance, set feet or not, he needs distance for his power to culminate. Ward in his chest will take it away. Kovalev does know how to Guage distance at an elite level at this point though. I expect him to fight off the back foot while Ward keeps a measure pressure with a pawing jab and stiff jab to the face.

[The Hammer]

[The Hammer]

Ward is less likely to back out of the November fight now, since Kovalev looked less unbeatable against Chilemba.

I'm hoping Kovalev will be back to his best against Ward.

[Weltschmerz]

I can imagine most Ward fans reckon Kovalev will be 'easy work' now.. this is fine though, Sergey will like being the underdog and fighting away in Las Vegas. He was affected by fighting back in Russia IMO in the particular venue of the Simakov fight nearly 5 years ago.

[-MAKAVELLI-]

I can imagine most Ward fans reckon Kovalev will be 'easy work' now.. this is fine though, Sergey will like being the underdog and fighting away in Las Vegas. He was affected by fighting back in Russia IMO in the particular venue of the Simakov fight nearly 5 years ago.

Holyfield vs Cooper, Pacquiao vs Larios, Danny Garcia vs Mauricio Herrera, Sergio Martinez vs Martin Murray

fighters always put up crappy performances when being in front of their home crowd

[1g5a22]

I suspect controversy surrounding the win & it to be a hug-fest! Don't rule out a draw!

[Brickyardigan]

Ward is less likely to back out of the November fight now, since Kovalev looked less unbeatable against Chilemba.

I'm hoping Kovalev will be back to his best against Ward.

More likely that Kovalev will back out the fight now, getting embarrassed by Chilemba's jab like that. As I said in this thread, Ward has one of the greatest jabs in the sport. Kovalev is going to get picked apart.

[The Hammer]

More likely that Kovalev will back out the fight now, getting embarrassed by Chilemba's jab like that. As I said in this thread, Ward has one of the greatest jabs in the sport. Kovalev is going to get picked apart.

Hopefully, we'll find out in November.

[Bushbaby]

Very difficult fight to predict. I'm surprised so many people voted for Kova. Makes me wonder if it's sheer hate for Ward.