Comments Thread For: Andre Ward Drops, Dominates Sullivan Barrera in 175 Debut

[richardt]

I don't understand how Kovalev has a chance of winning against Ward outside of a flash K.O. Ward has taken on heavy hitters and eaten shots, I doubt Krusher will be able to hurt him that bad.

No one mentions how Krusher will have to deal with Wards jab, the man has the most ferocious jab in boxing, its a head snapping shot and he throws it like a power shot right through the guard and backs up everyone he fights with it. Not one person he faced stood down his jab without backing up after the first one. You simply cannot walk through it.

The speed difference will be laughable because Kovalev is about as quick as Barrera and has far less movement. He only moves backwards and does not move his head. He is a catch and shoot defender and Wards timing will wreak havoc on him. How will he hit him with counters from a full guard?

He has to physically overpower Ward or he has zero chance to beat him. If he can't hurt him he has to box him and then its no contest.

Kov is a solid boxer/puncher but Ward has that great ability to anticipate and yes, that jab is a spear and it looks like even though Ward did not throw the right hand much, he spent time improving his left hook when his shoulder was healing. But anything can happen in boxing and when a fighter who may not be as skilled is active and on a roll, that can be enough to win. I'm not too sure about Ward's stamina yet but that will improve. I'm pulling for him to win cause I am a true fan of his and cause I'm not really a fan of bloodlust fighters like Kov who seem to take pure joy in badly harming their opponent. A bit of a sadist for my tastes.

[JJRod]

The BoxNation commentators (I believe it was Bob Sheridan) said Ward told him personally that it's not happening next, a minimum of one more tune up.

Interesting. Wonder if he's going to have to have this last tune up on BET or another channel, because I doubt HBO will pay. They didn't want to pay more than a million for the loma fight.

[mbase1235]

HBO signed Ward to a 3-fight deal, which includes the Kovalev fight. Most insiders always expected that Kov would be the 3rd fight.

[Metho_4u]

Kov is a solid boxer/puncher but Ward has that great ability to anticipate and yes, that jab is a spear and it looks like even though Ward did not throw the right hand much, he spent time improving his left hook when his shoulder was healing. But anything can happen in boxing and when a fighter who may not be as skilled is active and on a roll, that can be enough to win. I'm not too sure about Ward's stamina yet but that will improve. I'm pulling for him to win cause I am a true fan of his and cause I'm not really a fan of bloodlust fighters like Kov who seem to take pure joy in badly harming their opponent. A bit of a sadist for my tastes.

+1 I am not a Kovalev fan either, I would like to see him thoroughly schooled, or flat on his back....being totally dominated is more embarrassing imo though.

[1hourRun]

Like I said easy work , so crispy n clean we shining.

[Metho_4u]

Kovalev will likely ko ward inside of 8 rounds based off tonight.

JDJ is gonna have a great plan to beat ward.

Kovalev is the p4p best in the world

No...he's not. Lomachenko, Gonzalez, Rigo, ALL far more skilled. Ward is better p4p as well if you want to go by resume. I like to go by pure skill. Pascal had Kovalev stunned and the guy is an arm puncher.

[Jubei]

Like I said easy work , so crispy n clean we shining.

It was a good win, but i thought he would have knocked someone like Barrera out within 12 rounds.

Pretty sure either GGG or Kovalev wouldn't carry the #23 ranked dude the whole 12, you agree?

[vman075]

HBO signed Ward to a 3-fight deal, which includes the Kovalev fight. Most insiders always expected that Kov would be the 3rd fight.

True but there is some dispute. The deal was 3 fights: a fall 2015 fight, a spring/summer 2016 fight and Kov in November 2016. When Ward got hurt it pushed his timeline back but the contract states he is still supposed to fight Kovalev in November. So if he wants a quick turnaround and fight in a few months, then he can fight someone else and will fight Kov in his 3rd fight. But if he doesn't want to fight again until the fall, there is dispute whether it goes by it being his 2nd fight (which he can fight someone else) or by the November deadline (which would mean he has to fight Kov).

[1hourRun]

It was a good win, but i thought he would have knocked someone like Barrera out within 12 rounds.

Pretty sure either GGG or Kovalev wouldn't carry the #23 ranked dude the whole 12, you agree?

Yeah they would opened up on Barrera and maybe got him out of there but you know this aint about who KOs the opponent faster - its who comes out with less damage and more money. #TMT.

[Real Talk85]

Being outclassed is worse than being knocked out. Anyone can be knocked out, getting caught with a good shot or getting hit by a guy that has crazy power. Being outclassed means you did everything you could possibly do, gave everything you had and still got taken to task. It basically is a clear indication that you are absolutely not as good as the guy in front of you no matter what you do. Its embarrassing really, it's how Floyd beats his opponents, or Ali in his day, Rigo, Lomenchenko, Pirog when he was active, James Toney, B Hop, these guys didn't just power through fighters they flat out made them irrelevant in the ring. It's funny that one thing these guys all have in common is they mastered dictating the tone of the fight. They can curb an aggressive fighter or trap and cerebral one into making mistakes. Fighters like this are rare, and that's what we have in Ward.

As of late though we have been spoiled, Ward, Rigo, Floyd, Lomechenko, Lara, that many fighters all active that have mastered every aspect of the fight game is rare. The talent among those names is damn ridiculous.