Comments Thread For: Kovalev's Coach: Ward's Prime is Gone, Now He's Facing a Killer!

[Bronx2245]

If Ward is so washed up, why fight him??? Why not go and find a better opponent???

[Gary Coleman]

JDJ sounds a bit worried...kind of like Brook. They're doing a lot of talking.

[MDPopescu]

If Ward is so washed up, why fight him??? Why not go and find a better opponent???

... give the guy a break: he's selling a fight.

[MDPopescu]

JDJ sounds a bit worried...kind of like Brook. They're doing a lot of talking.

... Yes: JDJ is, in fact, shaken and scared to death...

[therealpugilist]

Ward is a fantastic boxer. There's no doubt. The question is .. is he out of his prime and if so by how much? Nobody is suggesting that he is washed up. That would be ludicrous. I would suggest that Ward, Golovkin, Kovalev, Rigo and many top cruiserweights are past their absolute prime physically regards reflexes. What they have is more experience. But when it comes to reflexes and muscle twitch they are past their prime. This doesn't matter when you are fighting guys levels below you but when you are evenly matched it comes into play. Of course some boxers are so good that even 25% below their prime they are still world beaters -Rigo- and others have the ability to withstand Father Time - Hopkins-Foreman.

he for sure isnt in his physical prime at 32

but add in experience, better technique, patience, and know how make up for it


like Hopkins....IMO...He was a better fighter in 2003 than he was in 1993 when he was 28......He wasnt quite as fast, wasnt as agressive but he was clearly a better fighter then than in his younger days....better defense, timing, counterpunching etc


timing/accuracy beats speed.....therefore when fighters that are superior athletes like Ward, Mayweather, Rigo, refine their technique, the technique compensates for the slowing down of raw speed as they age....barely noticeable until its clear they are past prime.


physical Ward and Kovalev are past prime....as fighters though, they may be the best they have ever been, regardless of opponents.


they have 10+ years as pros and are also close to the athleticism/physicality of their 20s

[therealpugilist]

was ward even that great in his prime? Just fought in a dog**** division

yea GGG is fighting murderer's row at 160...oh wait...his last opponent was someone even you had to google and his next opponent is a welterweight....is GGG really p4p top 3 /the best middleweight or a guy who just has belts but hasnt fought the best yet?

[Marvlus Marv]

Hopefully, Ward will be baited enough to let rip with some of his own trash talk. I think Jacko is just trying to sell the fight nice and early bearing in mind that ppv sales might not match the magnitude of the occasion.
So come on Andre, what you got to say about all this?

[-Kev-]

The one's who talk the most before a fight are the one's who end up talking the most after they lose a fight as well. Usually with lame running, holding, not engaging BS after they promoted their fighter as a fighter who will have none of that in the ring, a fighter who escape is not possible against, and who if you try to hold he will fight you off, and running is pointless because there "is no place to hide", etc. I hope JDJ isn't that type of coach will come up with excuses after a loss

[joseph5620]

The one's who talk the most before a fight are the one's who end up talking the most after they lose a fight as well. Usually with lame running, holding, not engaging BS after they promoted their fighter as a fighter who will have none of that in the ring, a fighter who escape is not possible against, and who if you try to hold he will fight you off, and running is pointless because there "is no place to hide", etc. I hope JDJ isn't that type of coach will come up with excuses after a loss

He seems to be that type based on how he views this fight as a win or loss for him.


If he wants the credit for being "a great teacher" he definitely won't want the blame for a loss.

[Metho_4u]

If Ward is past his prime then that would suggest that an older Kovalev is also past his prime too.

John David should show more respect to the boxer's family that gave his life for the sport.

John can go jump off a cliff...guy's arrogant.