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

[Nights King]

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.

I agree with that but I think Kovalev wont let Ward clinch without punishment. Then again Ward is quite strong himself.

[kafkod]

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.

Lol. Remember how BHop was gonna turn Kovalev into Kelly Pavlick?

What happened there?

Kovalev is bigger and hits harder than Froch. The difference in power between he and Ward would be critical.

All fruitless speculation anyhow. Ward will not fight Krusher

[Jsmooth9876]

I know kovalev would beat down everyone Ward has ever fought in more impressive fashion then Ward did.
I think it would be a good fight. If Kovalev lands some bombs then Ward is in trouble. Beating stiffs and not fighting for years doesn't make me so confident about Ward.

[Eastcoast]

Kovalev doesn't need to hit you clean to hurt you. Also Kovalev has a straight up nasty side, he won't tolerate excessive clinching or the dirty tactics Ward used against Kessler. JDJ well make sure Kovalev is training to hit Ward on his hips and shoulders. I doubt Ward ever agrees to fight Kovalev.

[skinnystev]

carl froch and arthur abraham are not even in the same league as kovalev

[New England]

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.

pretty sure paul smith is a boxing commentator for a major sports network in the UK

some TV execs clearly don't agree with you

[Mikel 45]

Nope sorry. Kovalev blasts ward out of the park.
especially now in his career. How can anyone favour ward? Inactive thinking about retirement. Beating Paul Smith wow.

Kovalev is a man on a mission
deal with it

[Bob Weaver]

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.

Agree 100%! I think we have seen much more impressive work from Kov than ward to date. Ward had a good super6 then a short while later dissolved into the ether only to be seen on occasion facing 3rd tier opposition. Kovalevs reputation and market value has grown and grown and he's beaten a better fighter in BHop than the likes of Chad dawson and the other super6ers.....and he beat Hopkins with relative ease.....this is a fighter harder to hit and more cunning and experienced than Andre....oh well it will all be evident come fight night........I just hope sergeys fan friendly ko style beats Andres hit,headbutt,hold.

[Mr. Philadel]

Nope sorry. Kovalev blasts ward out of the park.
especially now in his career. How can anyone favour ward? Inactive thinking about retirement. Beating Paul Smith wow.

Kovalev is a man on a mission
deal with it

Ward is the second best P4P fighter in boxing....favoring him over anybody under cruiserweight is very logical....ask Max Kellerman

[Build That Wall]

Agreed. Ward would outbox the slow kovalev for an easy decision win.