Comments Thread For: Boone: Ward No Longer Looks Complete, I'm Rolling With Kovalev!

[sirron000]

Shrug, he's got a right to pick whoever he wants. I don't think either guy has looked complete, and I definitely don't think they showed their best yet.

It may be silly, but one of the major reasons I'm going with Kovalev is because Ward looked like crap after the Barrera fight. Sullivan landed something like only 15% of his shots, majority of which were jabs. But here's how Ward looked.



If he takes that much damage from Barrera's jabs, I don't think he'll be able to handle Kovalev. My 2 cents.

Not sure but wasn't it a clash of heads in the Barrera fight.

[twosweethooks]

Let's all hope Kovalev viciously KOs Ward !!!!!

[The Hammer]

Has VADA testing started?

Without steroids, Ward won't be strong enough to clamp Kovalev's arms.

[darius45]

These boxers don't know boxing sometimes I swear!

How is Ward supposed to look the exact same as before? He fights at 175 now. Before, he fought at 168. For a recent example, did Connor Mcgregor look the same at 170 as 145 in UFC? No. You're carrying more weight which means less stamina, less movement, less speed. That's why to a casual Kovalev might look average except for his power, but they don't understand that the speed/power/combinations/stamina combination, while average looking compared to Pacquiao or someone at the lower weights, is actually special at light heavyweight. Plus fighting Barrera and Brand, Ward didn't need to move that much, so judging based off those easy fights is ****** too.

I saw the same Ward as always, just at light heavyweight, which means he was a little more judicious with his punches, a little less mobile and LIGHT on his feet, but also stronger, with a better chin because he wasn't cutting as much weight.

That's what I saw. Same Ward as always. It was actually Kovalev who had the big drop off in his last performance, but it's hard to say if that's the signs of decline or just one fight he overlooked. All of this overanalyzing gets us nowhere. I think if Ward wins, he should get full credit for beating the best Kovalev. If Kovalev wins, he should get full credit for beating the best Ward.

Ward didn't look spectacular in his last night and neither did Kovalev. But I think they will both be at their best in November.

However, Ward's speed and movement does seem to have declined after moving up in weight. And I sort of disagree with you when you say this:

"That's why to a casual Kovalev might look average except for his power, but they don't understand that the speed/power/combinations/stamina combination, while average looking compared to Pacquiao or someone at the lower weights, is actually special [I]at light heavyweight."

Roy Jones jr shatters this preconception. Bigger guys can be just as explosive and quick as little guys. Hell, even Mike Tyson was quick and he was a heavyweight, so it's not like we should be less critical of bigger guys when certain standards of speed have already been set in the past that we can judge future fighters on. Kovalev's speed IS average. But that doesn't mean he's NOT special. He's a very complete fighter who packs a big punch. But his speed is nothing special. And compared to Floyd or Manny or Roy, Ward's speed isn't very spectacular either. But he's a technician in the ring, so he makes up for not having the sheer raw athleticism as those fighters.

[j0zef]

Has VADA testing started?

Without steroids, Ward won't be strong enough to clamp Kovalev's arms.

Dude come on, you're a good guy but this **** is ridiculous. Let's all hope for a good fight alright?

[boliodogs]

I'm going with Kovalev too. Ward has been very inactive. The few fights he has had have not been against top 10 world rated fighters. Kovalev has been fighting top 10 world rated fighters regularly. He will be more ready than Ward for the big showdown fight in my opinion.

[doom_specialist]

Roy Jones Jr. and Mike Tyson are 2 of the very most special guys to ever lace up a pair of gloves. We've seen special fighters who would look ordinary against them, so I don't think they're exactly great barometers for measuring "special."

That said, I don't believe Kovalev is special, but neither was Froch, and that ended up being a difficult fight for Ward going down the stretch.

[aboutfkntime]

Ward knows the level that he has to prepare for..... Kovalev, does not.

Ward has fought the very best since he was a young kid..... simply because he has been the very best, since he was a young kid.

Good luck finding someone to mimic Ward, because Chilemba wasn't it.

The most obvious notable career points..... Ward has adjusted to everything that was put in front of him, using a different style/gameplan for every opponent..... Kovalev stuck to a GREAT but simple gameplan to neutralize old man Hopkins, and was too much for everyone else.

I pick Ward to rise to the occasion, AGAIN.

Early, I see a very technical - somewhat ugly - fight..... with Kovalev using a similar gameplan to what he used for Hopkins..... fighting tall, patient, behind the pole, and looking to step/rock back whenever Ward looks to initiate..... with Ward being super-patient, establishing his own perimeter, and going after Kovalev's jab.

Ward will either be just outside Kovalev's jab looking to counter, or his head will be firmly planted under Kovalev's chin, looking to make an investment..... and Kovalev will be forced to fight whenever he looks like he needs a rest.

This will be an close/ugly fight I think.

Best of luck to both guys.

May the best man win.

[aboutfkntime]

Kovalev may need to include a couple of southpaws for this camp.

[Wolfie*]

There are fans on both sides that specialize in preemptive excuse making. It seems the Kov guys do that moreso than the Ward guys because Kov is the prohibitive favorite.

Not according to odds makers. Ward is the slight favorite to beat kovalev.