Comments Thread For: Paul Smith: Andre Ward Beats Kovalev By Wide Margin

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

Tough super middleweight contender Paul Smith was the comeback opponent for Andre Ward back in June. Ward, coming back from a long layoff, dominated and stopped Smith at a catch-weight of 172-pounds.

Ward (28-0, 15KOs) is expected to make a move to the light heavyweight division at some point in 2016.

Smith would like to see Ward make a full move to 175-pounds and face WBO/WBA/IBF champion Sergey Kovalev (28-0-1, 25KOs).
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[firstborn]

Interesting, wonder if Paul Smith has ever sparred Kovalev or knows someone from his camp. I think it's an even fight myself.

[Nightfall]

it'll be a great fight but ward is just to good. kovalev hits hard and has decent speed. but that won't get it. he'll get tagged all fight long by ward.

[firstborn]

it'll be a great fight but ward is just to good. kovalev hits hard and has decent speed. but that won't get it. he'll get tagged all fight long by ward.

Hard for me to estimate how good Ward will do against Kovalev until I see him in with a sturdy 175lb opponent. Ward has respectable power at 168lb but Kovalev seems to have a good chin. If Ward's power doesn't carry at the higher weight class I don't think he'll be able to keep Kovalev off him.

[PunchyPotorff]

It's wild how many holes there are in Smith's argument that Ward easily beats Kov. He says Ward is great at shutting down opponents and keeping them from doing their thing... and cites Abraham and Froch as examples... 2 fighters who are/were notorious for having trouble with slick boxers. He also says you have to be slick and slippery to beat Kov. So what is BHop if not slick and slippery? Granted, he's an old fighter, but still... Kov flat out shut him down easily. Jackson dialed up the right fight plan and Kov stuck with it to the letter. And he would do the same vs Ward. Kov has the whole package. Sure he can be hit, but so can Ward. Anyone remember the flush punch Froch landed toward the last rounds? If that would've been Kov, Ward's lights would've went out. End of story. This will be a great fight that will go Ward's way for just a little bit here and there. Kov will know what Jackson has taught him, and will follow instructions at near perfection. He will give Ward his first stoppage loss, late rounds.

[Mr.Daddy]

This from the very same Paul Smith that last June took good money yet showed up to fight Andre Ward in "fatty, fatty two-by-four" condition? How does Paul Smith have any credibility within the boxing community any more? Nothing that Paul Smith says regarding boxing is worth hearing, and especially when it comes to Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev. Paul Smith is a disgrace. How he has the nerve to show his face, I'll never know. Some people know no shame.

[Straightener]

cant see it myself

think smith is just saying this because ward gave him a whooping

smith wouldn't see the third round vs kovalev

imo opinion kovalev would beat ward by knock out

too big , too strong

[MisanthropicNY]

Ward is

[i'm a fun haver]

If he wants to pick Ward to win this fight then fair enough.
By a "wide margin" though?lol I don't buy it

[Redd Foxx]

Hard for me to estimate how good Ward will do against Kovalev until I see him in with a sturdy 175lb opponent. Ward has respectable power at 168lb but Kovalev seems to have a good chin. If Ward's power doesn't carry at the higher weight class I don't think he'll be able to keep Kovalev off him.

I see it being more about his movement carrying up with him. Some guys slow down a lot. Ward probably has the best economy of motion in the sport. He doesn't need to dart, charge or, exhibit any exaggerated movements because he's always in the right place at the right time. If he can keep that up at 175, Kovalev will get tired of missing (something he's not used to), his workrate will slow, and Ward will stack up the points all night.

People act if Kovalev's power is the deciding factor which is entirely wrong. Nobody lands clean on Ward. You have to be able to bully and out work him. This will look like the Froch fight with Kovalev looking frustrated and unable to come up with an answer.