Comments Thread For: Sergey Kovalev: Andre Ward Will Be A Big Test For Me

[MDPopescu]

When I met Ward and got his autograph a couple years back I told him that he is one of those rare Rubik's cube boxers. That's a name I call boxers whose styles are extremely difficult to solve, like Mayweather. I believe Kovalev has his hands full with Ward's style, to say the least. Both fighters are the tops, but I would favor Ward and be pulling for him. That's just my take.

I think Ward may somehow nullify Kovalev. But I think Beterbiev's style is the worst thing for ward -- even if Beterbiev doesn't have enough ring experience right now.

[Progrssive_Jedi]

Ward won't fight Kov unless he starts looking dominate at LHW

Ward's style should translate to LHW easily. Wards has always been big enough. Ward and Kov rehydrate to mid 180's. Kovalev was 186 last night.

But Ward's issue with Kov would be this guy is strong, and clinching him won't be as easily. I suspect he may find some success, but in going for the clinch he'll get hit and will be apprehensive to doing too much.

Additionally, I don't believe Ward has the strength to actually truly send Kov backwards. Hell he probably could get GGG going backwards.

Of course, Ward being every bit of 185 in the ring, he'd be quite a bit bigger than GGG--which is why he was aiming for a year long tune up ending in a MW, instead of LHW.

We'll soon see how much Ward still has.

Test as in will he KO Ward early or late......hypothetically of course since Ward will never fight him after that beatdown of Pascal

I wondered the same thing. Ward went back to Jay-Z and said, "Hova, you have to get me that MW."

Canelo comes in a 180 now, maybe Ward can aim for him now.

kovalev is the road warrior andi have no doubt he can go down to ward's cheaters paradise of oakland and destroy him. i think ward's going to work on some new cheats in his next 2 fights because even with his current arsenal of cheatery he's still massively outgunned. what's it going to be? huge ring? pillow gloves? trap door for kovalev to fall through?

I actually agree, but unfortunately, many today see that has ok. It's part of why Ward doesn't like to fight out of Oakland.

Ward's style is half MMA and much of it is against the rules.

His fans will call it clinching. But holding your opponents arms, headbutts, swinging his head around, bending over and bull rushing the opponent with his head down, all these could rightly lead to point deductions.

I like that Kovalev shows Andre Ward respect and holds him in high regard. That must shock all the Ward haters on here who insist he isn't any good.

What's he supposed to say, "hey fans, that guy I'm fighting later this year, he sucks but I want you to pay for the fight anyways."

If course he is going say Ward is good.

The issue is, we don't know how much Ward has left, I feel he's been inactive for a reason. His management issue didn't keep him out this long.

I think his injuries are worse than he's letting on. I think he wants a few easy pay days and on big. He'd get 2m a fight, and more for Kov.

But HBO forced his hand and said they ain't putting on bs Unranked SMW dragged up to 175.

So he is taking on Sulli b. We don't know how good he is. He has power, so it's a decent test to see what Ward can do.

[firstborn]

He talked crap on GGG then ducked him.

Right, because fighting Kovalev is much easier than fighting GGG.....

[Lou Cipher]

Right, because fighting Kovalev is much easier than fighting GGG.....

Right, because he will actually fight Kovalev. Please hold your breath for that one. No cheating.

[firstborn]

I actually agree, but unfortunately, many today see that has ok. It's part of why Ward doesn't like to fight out of Oakland.
Ward's style is half MMA and much of it is against the rules.

His fans will call it clinching. But holding your opponents arms, headbutts, swinging his head around, bending over and bull rushing the opponent with his head down, all these could rightly lead to point deductions.

Ward's hometown benefit is way overblown. Ward has never needed any favoritism from the judges or refs to secure a victory. People complain about rough housing tactics but fighters need to learn how to deal with those things on their own, not whine to the refs for assistance.

The primary reason Ward fights in Oakland is because he needs a big name opponent to generate a decent live gate else where. When the time comes, I doubt Ward vs Kovalev will take place in Oakland.

[firstborn]

Right, because he will actually fight Kovalev. Please hold your breath for that one. No cheating.

As a fan of boxing I'm hopeful. Ward, Kovalev and Duva are all saying the right things so far.

[LOCOMEX89]

Can't Wait

Next to Canelo vs GGG I look forward to seeing this fight most.

Right now I would slightly favor Sergey based solely on being more active. Andre Ward faced serveral big punchers when he was a Super Middleweight and figured out ways to neutralize the big punchers he faced.

Obviously this fight won't happen till the later part of the year. Hopefully Andre fights twice at he division before he faces Kovalev.

Both guys have all around great skill. Both guys have dominated their competition. This is going to be a great tactical fight when they step in the ring.

[The plunger man]

Ward is a world class fighter he's proven that...he has ring smarts and has shown he can adapt to most styles and still win, if ward has lost none of his ability and shows no signs of inactivity then it's gonna be a lot tougher for kovalev to beat him...personally I think his inactivity and injurys plus moving up to a whole new division will create more problems than he can handle not to mention sitting atop that division is a genuine 175lb beast who I think is only getting better.... No one knows how ward will react once he steps in the ring with a genuine light heavyweight....we will see if he faces off with Sullivan Barrera what he has in the tank !!!!

WAR GOLOVKIN

[bigjavi973]

so even if ward holds nonstop which is illegal you won't say anything? you will say he outsmarted kovalev because he was allowed to cheat? i suppose that is true in a certain sense but kind of spits in the face of a legit sporting event.

omg do you ever stop crying. Youre worse than a woman on her period.

[bigjavi973]

He talked crap on GGG then ducked him.

164 doe!!!!!

but hell fight everyone else at 168 what a coward.