Andre Ward vs Kovalev set for November 19

[aldo5408]

I agree. Kov has improved so much delivering his punches accurately while controlling the distance that he wants to deliver them.

Ward is so slick in there and does what he wants to do, also he is mentally strong.

bro wtf does "slick" mean? technically duran was slick

[MisterPullman]

If I HAD to bet my own money I would pick Ward by SD. Although I think there is a very real chance that Kovalev is just too much everything for him and busts him up badly. Ward may not be who he used to be, and fighting a bums row will not have him prepared for an absolute monster like Kovalev.

That's fair.

I just don't see Ward winning and lasting with Kovalev's type power for 12 rounds.. I can picture Ward winning the early rounds, then as soon as Kovalev lands something he'll crawl into his defensive shell.. which is the last thing you want to do against someone like Kovalev

[Beercules]

That's fair.

I just don't see Ward winning and lasting with Kovalev's type power for 12 rounds.. I can picture Ward winning the early rounds, then as soon as Kovalev lands something he'll crawl into his defensive shell.. which is the last thing you want to do against someone like Kovalev

Exactly how I see this going.

[Scipio2009]

I don't see why cotto should have to give up some money so ward can fight on his undercard. I like Ward but he isn't going to self one ticket in NY when Cotto is going t sell it out just by himself

This is like B
Nonito and Pacquiao

Fair. I just see Roc Nation putting the lean on Cotto to warm up to the idea. Beyond that, arguing that Ward isn't going to bring any extra money to the pot is a bit much:

-The New York metro area is home to over 20m people, with 25% of the 9m people in New York proper being African American.

-Jordan brand, the company that's backed Andre Ward since he turned pro after the Olympics, isn't going to not show up to back one of the promising fighters in the US's largest media market.

-Andre Ward, being America's last boxing Olympic gold medalist and a top-5 p4p fighter in the sport (in addition to being a wholesome guy and really good on TV), is going to be catnip to the New York press, sports or otherwise.

Cotto's fight will definitely have the Puerto Rican community out in force, but Ward featuring on the show opens up the audience for folks who'd consider coming out for the fight/tuning in on TV.

[therealpugilist]

That's fair.

I just don't see Ward winning and lasting with Kovalev's type power for 12 rounds.. I can picture Ward winning the early rounds, then as soon as Kovalev lands something he'll crawl into his defensive shell.. which is the last thing you want to do against someone like Kovalev

I can see where you're coming from but....

when has Ward ever went into a defensive shell?


this fight is going to bring the best out of both and I cant wait.


People often underrate the heart and determination of fighters who arent brawler or reputed punchers.

Whenever Ward has been pushed, he pushes back....He is one of those guys like Whitaker, Mayweather, whose toughness, roughness, and mean ness get over looked because they were/are technicans and tacticians...they are still fights




I just dont see a guy who is 32 and hasnt lost a fight amatuer or pro since he was like 14 folding because he gets hit in the mouth hard a few times....he may get dropped, KOV is the truth....Kov will have to bring his best just like ward...this is the best match up in a long...long time

[aldo5408]

Fair. I just see Roc Nation putting the lean on Cotto to warm up to the idea. Beyond that, arguing that Ward isn't going to bring any extra money to the pot is a bit much:

-The New York metro area is home to over 20m people, with 25% of the 9m people in New York proper being African American.

-Jordan brand, the company that's backed Andre Ward since he turned pro after the Olympics, isn't going to not show up to back one of the promising fighters in the US's largest media market.

-Andre Ward, being America's last boxing Olympic gold medalist and a top-5 p4p fighter in the sport (in addition to being a wholesome guy and really good on TV), is going to be catnip to the New York press, sports or otherwise.

Cotto's fight will definitely have the Puerto Rican community out in force, but Ward featuring on the show opens up the audience for folks who'd consider coming out for the fight/tuning in on TV.

True but I mean like Ward makes 2M minimum. And plus whatever Cotto makes. It would make sense for Roc to have them both in a PPV because of the money upside. For now ward should accept a paycut and fight on the undercard of cotto because cotto does really good numbers on hbo. Hbo at most pays 3M for a main event.

[bklynboy]

Ward by schooling

Ward is too slick, you can't beat slick unless you are more slick

Kovalev is a stiff eurobum, ward will dance circles round him, teach him a boxing lesson and stop him late

Except when it doesn't: such as
Marciano beating Moore and
Liston beating Patterson and
Frazier beating Ali and
Duran beating SRL
...

it happens again and again. (And did Sweet Pea only lose to slicker boxers? How about Roy Jones?)

And let's not forget about Bernard Hopkins. He's lost as well.

Athletic skill, training, power, determination, chin, conditioning are all part of the total package. Ward is great. Now we find out how good Kovalev is. I think he is a far more refined boxer than people give him credit for.

[bklynboy]

Ward by schooling

Ward is too slick, you can't beat slick unless you are more slick

Kovalev is a stiff eurobum, ward will dance circles round him, teach him a boxing lesson and stop him late

Except when it doesn't: such as
Marciano beating Moore and
Liston beating Patterson and
Frazier beating Ali and
Duran beating SRL
...

it happens again and again. (And did Sweet Pea only lose to slicker boxers? How about Roy Jones?)

And let's not forget about Bernard Hopkins. He's lost as well.

Athletic skill, training, power, determination, chin, conditioning are all part of the total package. Ward is great. Now we find out how good Kovalev is. I think he is a far more refined boxer than people give him credit for.

As far as the poll goes - I want to see Ward in action again before saying anything.

[daggum]

sullivan barrera ko's them both. sullivan barrera unified light heavy champ at the end of 2016 with charles martin unified heavyweight champ of the world.

[Jsmooth9876]

One of the best fights in boxing right now.. Kudos to both men for wanting and taking the risk of fighting each other when others don't do the same and take the easy paycheck...

Unfortunately, whoever the loser is will be ridiculed on here like they are a bum the day after even though they're both facing the toughest challenge of their careers and probably one of the other top 3-4 lb for lb fighters on earth..

But that's boxing for ya I guess. Fickle, uneducated, moron fans.