Comments Thread For: Andre Ward Vows To Clean Out 175, Starting With Kovalev

[DoktorSleepless]

No, kid... Ward wanted his usual $2m tune-up payday and give Shabranskyy the hole in the donut...

http://espn.go.com/blog/dan-rafael/p...valev-showdown

All of Ward's opponents have been paid ridiculously well.

[Citizen Koba]

Yea, title shot after a loss. He lost to Bellew a couple years back as well, right before Bellew lost to Stevenson. People are blowing Chilemba up as a monster ONLY because he's fight Kovalev. Another major boxing site published an article; "Kovalev vs. Chilemba = Another mismatch for Sergey"
I wouldn't even bring it up if it weren't for the ridiculous double standard. If Ward were fighting Chilemba, people would be mocking him the same as with Brand and turning a blind eye for Kovalev.

As you said, they're both taking warm-ups. Disappointing but if a person criticizes one they should not excuse the other.

No-ones blowing Chilemba up to be a monster. He simply is what he is - a tough tricky spoiler filling the same kind of niche and at roughly the same level as Bika did at 168. FWIW I also happen to think Brand is a much trickier opponent than people seem to be assuming based on his resume, but there's no way around the fact that he's a career SMW.

It is possible to hold these opinions without having an agenda, y'know.

[Bronx2245]

This is what champions do!!! After you clean out your division and you can't get guys to come up and fight, you go up and fight, and you aim for the top!!!
Props to "SOG" and good luck champ! USA! USA! USA!

[MDPopescu]

All of Ward's opponents have been paid ridiculously well.

... sure... hence Ward's words: "You don't get rich on us", doe...

[bojangles1987]

I don't think I can take it if Kovalev/Ward doesn't happen for some reason. I might have to walk away from boxing for a while.

[IMDAZED]

Some people are so obvious. B*tching about this when the fight is already signed for November.

[Ake-Dawg]

No, kid... Ward wanted his usual $2m tune-up payday and give Shabranskyy the hole in the donut...

http://espn.go.com/blog/dan-rafael/p...valev-showdown

Where did you get the $2M and donut hole figure? How do we know that GBP didn't price Shabransky out of the fight in an attempt to appear to want that fight. Bottom line is, RocNation offered a fight and got turned down by much better fighters than Brand. In my view, both Kovalev and Ward were in tough positions due to timing and HBO budget constraints. Is Kovalev fight even gonna be broadcast on HBO?

[BoxingFan85]

Yep.. The road to unified LHW starts from Kovalev.. Irrespective of the result against Kovalev I doubt Stevenson will face him. He is way too slick for him.. Ward might have to wait for Beterbiev, Oleksandr and may be Bivol in the next 2-3 yrs.. He might get the Fonfara or Smith type opponents which imo is a step down from Kovalev and Stevenson but should be good stay busy fights..

[BoxingFan85]

Some people are so obvious. B*tching about this when the fight is already signed for November.

Haters will hate.. This is the best fight this year hands down.. The date is penciled in, the venue is booked(T Mobile Arena).. Only sad part is the wait till November..

[BoxingFan85]

I don't think I can take it if Kovalev/Ward doesn't happen for some reason. I might have to walk away from boxing for a while.

As per Ward's HBO contract, he had to fight Kovalev.. I see no reason why this fight wouldn't happen.. Surely the money aspect would have sorted and the venue is booked, there is a date penciled against it.. The only reason I believe that might delay it could be if either guy injures himself during their next fight or the build up to the Nov. fight..