My thoughts on kovalev-ward now

[MisterPullman]

Chilemba has a new fan lol

Anyways, kovalev didn't look very good. Tonight this version of kovalev loses to ward unless he lands a perfect right and KOs him.

Chilemba is a tough opponent who needs to get in the ring with beterbiev or gvozdyk. His jab is good, granite chin, and he is tricky to hit. Despite this kovalev still knocked him down and probably would of KO'd him. The bell saved him.

At this point people, and I'm a Krusher fan too.. ward likely wins a UD 12. But it's still a damn good fight either man can win. I'm sure kovalev understands how good ward is and will better prepare for him than anyone else. Chilemba is a perfect opponent to prepare him.

[deathofaclown]

I'd pretty much agree with that. One thing i'll say, Ward seems a little more aggressive in his comeback and looks more open to being hit, but maybe that down to who he's fought.

Chilemba is a horrible style to look good against for anybody but it did show where Kovalev would struggle with Ward. Kovalev has absolutely no inside game either. He can only fight at a specific distance that he likes. If you can control the distance against him which is easier said than done, he's much more beatable. If Ward can force the fight on the inside, he wins all night.

Of course, Kovalev can hurt anybody, and i don't think Ward is an exception to that. Ward will have to execute a game plan with no mistakes but he's good enough to do that.

I'd have to go with Ward, but i still wouldn't be at all surprised if Kovalev knocks him out. It's been a LONG time in the boxing world since Ward fought a real world class fighter. There's still no real indication of how good a 2016 version of Ward is after such inactivity.

[MisterPullman]

Ward that fought Barrera would of lost to kovalev and the kovalev that fought chilemba would of lost to ward



This fight is just so exciting even though it'll be a spoiler most likely. Long boring UD 12

[Kagami Taiga]

BTW what is it with Soviet fighters not having an inside game?

[_original_]

BTW what is it with Soviet fighters not having an inside game?

Yup, just like Cubans.

[deathofaclown]

BTW what is it with Soviet fighters not having an inside game?

I don't know. I always thought it might be due to them being very focused on the amateur game, it is/was a huge deal in that part of the world and in the Amateurs, the onus is more on scoring points and landing cleaner punches, which is easier from the outside. So maybe it's the way they're taught in the gyms there, preparing for the amateurs.

Maybe the same with Cubans too.

[MisterPullman]

I don't know. I always thought it might be due to them being very focused on the amateur game, it is/was a huge deal in that part of the world and in the Amateurs, the onus is more on scoring points and landing cleaner punches, which is easier from the outside. So maybe it's the way they're taught in the gyms there, preparing for the amateurs.

Maybe the same with Cubans too.

Nailed it.

One fighter I personally think has the most potential is gvozdyk.. he just needs a new trainer imo

[MisterPullman]

BTW what is it with Soviet fighters not having an inside game?

Beterbiev is scary fighter on the inside

[MisterPullman]

Can you point to a fight? All I've seen is he's a mid range fighter

Beterbiev-Cloud

Also Lomachenko is a perfect fighter inside and out

[j0zef]

Disagree. I don't think Ward can take the same punches that Chilemba ate.