"SOG" Ward vs "King" Krusher Kovalev @ 175 lbs / 12.5 stone: Who wins?

[Canelo and GGG]

War Crusher ,my Russian brother

[StefanTosic]

Kovalev was training with Usyk and Lomachenko the past couple weeks.

Ward is in for a disaster

Wow that's a great news! Can you provide some links, please? I already know that Gvozdyk is one of his sparring partners, but I didn't know Usyk is there, too. That's great. I'm also suprised about Loma being there, his speed and movements are mos def going to help Kovalev. By the way, I heard many times from the old boxers how they used to bring much lighter sparring partners to help them prepare for their fights.

[LoadedWraps]

Wow that's a great news! Can you provide some links, please? I already know that Gvozdyk is one of his sparring partners, but I didn't know Usyk is there, too. That's great. I'm also suprised about Loma being there, his speed and movements are mos def going to help Kovalev. By the way, I heard many times from the old boxers how they used to bring much lighter sparring partners to help them prepare for their fights.

I agree it's a great idea.

Lomachenko can help Kovalev get used to the speed and movement that Ward also excels at.

Kovalev will be ready.

[The Hammer]

Training Camp Notes: Gvozdyk https://t.co/eFLQbKpb0R pic.twitter.com/V4StZN027G

— #KovalevWard (@Main_Events) November 7, 2016

[Sun_Tzu]

For some reason I see that

Why exactly? I think Ward definitely has a shot at winning but I don't see a ko. I honestly don't see anyone getting KOed. I still think Kovalev btakes a UD.

[Cheeko12]

Why exactly? I think Ward definitely has a shot at winning but I don't see a ko. I honestly don't see anyone getting KOed. I still think Kovalev btakes a UD.

I think kovalav style will bring the knock out for ward. I feel like ward will land devasting power punches to keep him off. In short I see him running into a shot

[Redd Foxx]

I think kovalav style will bring the knock out for ward. I feel like ward will land devasting power punches to keep him off. In short I see him running into a shot

Though I don't see it being likely, I do feel it's a possibility. Reason being, when great fighters hit a wall, they hit hard. We've seen many undefeated fighters get stumped> frustrated> tired> then susceptible to being finished.

I was expecting Kovalev to be cooking up a brilliant gameplan that might neutralise Ward but after seeing the JDJ interviews, I'm leaning toward Ward even heavier. Kovalev is going to go with what always worked for him, and when that's not enough, he's going to hit that wall. Not to over simplify Kovalev, because he is a smart fighter, but that's the difference between these two; one is a hammer and the other is a Swiss army knife.

[LoadedWraps]

Though I don't see it being likely, I do feel it's a possibility. Reason being, when great fighters hit a wall, they hit hard. We've seen many undefeated fighters get stumped> frustrated> tired> then susceptible to being finished.

I was expecting Kovalev to be cooking up a brilliant gameplan that might neutralise Ward but after seeing the JDJ interviews, I'm leaning toward Ward even heavier. Kovalev is going to go with what always worked for him, and when that's not enough, he's going to hit that wall. Not to over simplify Kovalev, because he is a smart fighter, but that's the difference between these two; one is a hammer and the other is a Swiss army knife.

I think you are still underrating Kovalev's ability to box and his ring IQ here. He isn't some one trick pony.

The biggest mistake fans make is that they see a fighter who likes to brawl and or is a power puncher and they focus on that one defining attribute ignoring the fact that there is more to them as a fighter than that.

Kovalev gained notoriety as a killer/puncher and now people act like that's all he is but that's just not true.

[Redd Foxx]

I think you are still underrating Kovalev's ability to box and his ring IQ here. He isn't some one trick pony.

The biggest mistake fans make is that they see a fighter who likes to brawl and or is a power puncher and they focus on that one defining attribute ignoring the fact that there is more to them as a fighter than that.

Kovalev gained notoriety as a killer/puncher and now people act like that's all he is but that's just not true.

I've been his biggest proponent when it comes to his depth. Even his fans often need it explained to them. However, the most I've seen him struggle was against Chilemba and he did not adapt, he simply hammered harder. He'll have much greater challenges in Ward and I don't think he's going to have plan B and C. I think he's going to hammer harder and become frustrated and exhausted in the process.

On the other hand, I've seen fighters switch it up on Ward and have success, but never for more than half a round or so. His whole game is adaption.

I like both guys and want to think this is 50/50, but the more thought I put into it, the more my mind pulls me away from the likelihood that Kovalev wins. If he does, I'm sure it will be spectacular to watch though.

[LoadedWraps]

I've been his biggest proponent when it comes to his depth. Even his fans often need it explained to them. However, the most I've seen him struggle was against Chilemba and he did not adapt, he simply hammered harder. He'll have much greater challenges in Ward and I don't think he's going to have plan B and C. I think he's going to hammer harder and become frustrated and exhausted in the process.

On the other hand, I've seen fighters switch it up on Ward and have success, but never for more than half a round or so. His whole game is adaption.

I like both guys and want to think this is 50/50, but the more thought I put into it, the more my mind pulls me away from the likelihood that Kovalev wins. If he does, I'm sure it will be spectacular to watch though.

Chilemba is far from Ward though and Kovalev knows it. I wouldn't put too much stock into that but I do see what you are getting at.

I'd say Kovalev was just forcing his plan in that fight but I don't believe for a second he would do that against Ward.

The other side of the coin is that Ward hasn't fought anyone like Kovalev before either. People like to point to Froch but other than power/chin/heart/killer instinct, Froch and Kovalev are nothing alike, especially stylistically. I still feel it's a genuine 50/50 fight.