So, Kovalev fanboys, what to say now?

[TheBoxingXpert]

To be fair, Ward didn't look great in his last fight either. Barrera actually landed a lot of jabs on Ward, he look easy to hit at times.

It's interesting, both Ward and Kovalev showed a couple of weaknesses in their fights that play right into each others hands.

Ward got hit by a few jabs against Barrera, yes, but that doesn't change the fact that he won every round and scored a knockdown. He looked way better than Kovalev did against Chilemba. Kovalev is so clumpsy... Like an elephant standing on a wheel. Strong, but no balance. Ward might even be the one to knock Kovalev down.

[Eastcoast]

Are you new to boxing or just ******? Kovalev is a just a passionate guy who punches very hard. Ward is boxing at its absolute peak level. His speed and skills will make Kovalev look like a ******.

What are you 8 years old? If I known you were just a troll I wouldn't have posted in this thread.

[Beercules]

I still have to see this. Kovalev looked bad?

[Motorcity Cobra]

To be fair, Ward didn't look great in his last fight either. Barrera actually landed a lot of jabs on Ward, he look easy to hit at times.

[TheUntouchable]

This is like saying, "If Ward struggled so much with Bika, how could he hope to beat Kovalev?"

Not at all, Ward can do everything Chilamba can do but Kovalev can't do everything Bika could. He does not know what to do at close range, massive difference.

Instead of Bika's infight skills Kovalev brings power, though, so it will be interesting.

[Redd Foxx]

To be fair, Ward didn't look great in his last fight either. Barrera actually landed a lot of jabs on Ward, he look easy to hit at times.

It's interesting, both Ward and Kovalev showed a couple of weaknesses in their fights that play right into each others hands.

I'd favour Ward slightly but he hasn't fought any good opposition in years and hasn't looked spectacular for that long either. Obviously he's still massively talented though.

Barrera, who is no slouch, landed just 15% on Ward. Come on now.
Edit; thx to Motorcity for the stats, it was only 12% jabs.


Chilemba isn't great but, in fairness to Kovalev, Chilemba's strengths play to the areas of weakness I've pointed out in Kovalev. They are small weaknesses, but seemed bigger because of Chilemba's style. The problem is that Ward is better than Chilemba in every one of those areas and doesn't miss opportunities like Chilemba did.

I want this to be a competitive fight and really hope Kovalev corrects some things because this wasn't just an "off night", these are areas Kovalev has never been forced to correct. Chilemba was a good wake-up for him.

[John Locke]

Nothing I saw with Kovalev surprised me in this fight, he was the same as he always is.

Kovalev has always fought at a measured, moderate pace. That's why I've always liked Ward to beat him, Ward will have time to think, pick his shots and box with Kovalev. Kovalev doesn't apply pressure, he doesn't want to hunt you down, get inside, outwork you etc. He's always looking to be methodical and calculated. He doesn't have a great punch output, he can't work at close range, these are all things Dre will take advantage of.

I don't think this is a hard fight to call at all.

[The Hammer]

Elusive defensive counterpunching spoiler Chilemba was the right opponent to prepare Kovalev for Ward.

Brand is NOT the right opponent to prepare Ward for Kovalev, he should have taken a risk and fought Shabranskyy.

[NaijaD]

Always thought Ward would win but it does come down to who performs and adapts on the night, but Kovalev did show more than a few weaknesses. He needs to get full extension on his punches to really do damage, he doesn't do very well when things get up close.

[The Hammer]

I still have to see this. Kovalev looked bad?

Kovalev looked better than any other opponent Chilemba has had, and unlike the others, won decisively.

Chilemba is VERY difficult to look good against.