Ward fans: what would be the game plan vs kovalev?

[Sugar Adam Ali]

Tie up.. Pot shot and move.. Don't get into exchanges

[mann187]

Tie up.. Pot shot and move.. Don't get into exchanges

Very tough one this, i initially thought a good inside game but kov seems to cuff people around the head so that would be dangerous. Maybe he needs a good stick jab to the body to take the gas out of Kovalev and disrupt with change in angles, time Kovalev as hes about to throw and get the hell out of there also a GREAT defense.

Id like to see how Kovalev handles someone who can get him up against the ropes, maybe thats the key to beating him.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

Very tough one this, i initially thought a good inside game but kov seems to cuff people around the head so that would be dangerous. Maybe he needs a good stick jab to the body to take the gas out of Kovalev and disrupt with change in angles, time Kovalev as hes about to throw and get the hell out of there also a GREAT defense.

Id like to see how Kovalev handles someone who can get him up against the ropes, maybe thats the key to beating him.

I'm not sure if Ward is physical enough to push kovolev to the ropes.. The jab and especially to the body will be key.. A lot of lateral movement and never square up with kovolev.. I got no doubt that of kovolev lands big, he can hurt and stop Ward.. Ward needs to be like prime hopkins and set traps for the oncoming kovolev..
It's a fascinating matchup but I honestly think Ward doesn't have much of a chance, serg will roll right thru him

[kiDynamite92]

Clemente Russo?

Anyway I always never understood why people seem to ignore how strong someone must be to control the clinch. Mayweather is freakishly strong..so I always figure Ward was as well.

Clemente Russo, the 2 time Olympic silver medalist at the 91 kgs weight class. He also fights regularly at super heavyweight and have notable victories against absolute powerhouses. Russo was 81 kgs when ward fought him in the amateurs but that was an advantage to Russo as ward was out of his natural weight class while Russo was in his. Ward still overpowered him in the clinches.

If Ward is allowed to use those illegal tactics of his I think he'll cut up Kovalev without to much trouble. I can't stand the way Mayweather uses the clinches, Ward actually likes to get inside and exchange while Mayweaher hangs on and waits for the break. Both super strong though - no doubt.

[_original_]

I can honestly see ward getting touched in sparrimg when he cant use headbutts and clinch every 2 seconds with no ref and pissed sparring partner.


He is overated nowadays. Time passed and things changed. Kovalev is the big dawg now.

Okay, we get it, you irrationally hate Andre Ward.



Ward isn't overrated, almost everywhere I read I see GGG/Kovalev d-riders like you crapping on the guy; his style of fighting, his resume, and even his personality. Ward lost his #2 P4P slot by most accounts, and rightfully so, he's in the rebuilding stage right now so how is he overrated?

[Juof]

Ward would be good on the inside his strength is underrated he has superior boxing skills also he has a very intellegent left hand. And is very hard to hit

[_original_]

Clemente Russo, the 2 time Olympic silver medalist at the 91 kgs weight class. He also fights regularly at super heavyweight and have notable victories against absolute powerhouses. Russo was 81 kgs when ward fought him in the amateurs but that was an advantage to Russo as ward was out of his natural weight class while Russo was in his. Ward still overpowered him in the clinches.

If Ward is allowed to use those illegal tactics of his I think he'll cut up Kovalev without to much trouble. I can't stand the way Mayweather uses the clinches, Ward actually likes to get inside and exchange while Mayweaher hangs on and waits for the break. Both super strong though - no doubt.

But Mayweather only started using this strategy in the later part of his career. Ward has been doing this his whole boxing career, and apparently in the amateurs and Olympics according to you guys here. There's really no excuse for that, a prime Mayweather didn't resort to those tactics and was a superior inside fighter than Ward has ever been.

[kiDynamite92]

But Mayweather only started using this strategy in the later part of his career. Ward has been doing this his whole boxing career, and apparently in the amateurs and Olympics according to you guys here. There's really no excuse for that, a prime Mayweather didn't resort to those tactics and was a superior inside fighter than Ward has ever been.

I'm not questioning the effectiveness of Mayweathers clinches but just critisising it in respect to entertainment value. Ward I actually like watching in the clinches, he uses some real roughhouse tactics and gets some good exchanges going.

[MrTambourineMan]

Kovalev got shaken up and dropped by an out of shape Boone and hurt much worse throughout. He went life and death with Boone. Ward thrashed hin aferwards. Also Kovalev went life and death with Pascal and was saved by the ref.

.....

[MDPopescu]

... Kovalev is easy work.
... Ward should fight him next, in Russia... No problems.