Does Ward Have Enough Power to Get Kovalev's Resect?

[Tony Trick-Pony]

I'm guessing that Ward will make this a close-up fight, which is the best strategy against Kovalev I believe. However, will his punches be able to get enough respect from Kovalev that he won't unleash his own power blows with abandon, possibly catching Ward?

Thoughts?

[Citizen Koba]

I'm guessing that Ward will make this a close-up fight, which is the best strategy against Kovalev I believe. However, will his punches be able to get enough respect from Kovalev that he won't unleash his own power blows with abandon, possibly catching Ward?

Thoughts?

Yes he does. This ain't about Ward getting the KO but landing first and disrupting Kovalevs rhythm, getting him to reset and forcing him to fight at Wards pace. Ward has the power to achieve that for sure. Whether he'll succeed in doing it will of course become clear in a few weeks.

[-PBP-]

When you have fighters at this level, the answer is almost always, yes. I can't think of many top pound for pound fighters that couldn't get their opponents respect.

What you have to realize, is that the punches you don't see hurt you the most. It's not always about heavy thudding power like GGG or laser sharp power like Pac. Ward hits you with accurate sneaky shots that you don't see coming and those will gain the respect of anyone.

[deathofaclown]

I'm sure he has enough to keep anyone from just walking through him at 168 and 175, and that's basically all he needs to implement his style. Like Floyd did really, different fighters but he had the sharpness, accuracy and just enough power to keep opponents from walking through him, so he could control the distance.

[KingHippo]

Kovalev was shaken by old man Hopkins in the later rounds, remember?

[Sroey]

I don't remember Kovalev being shaken by BHop to be fair but will certainly have a look on youtube!

To answer the original question, yes he does, Kovalev has been down already in his career plus Ward will likely try to frustrate Kovalev into making mistakes and leaving himself open to harder shots.

[Rudiamonds]

This is ganna be a great fight wish the undercard was stack I would of paid for it instead I'm dropping 20 to get into a bar

[NaijaD]

This is ganna be a great fight wish the undercard was stack I would of paid for it instead I'm dropping 20 to get into a bar

Gvozdyk vs Chilemba is a decent support fight, we can find out a lot more about how good he really is assuming Isaac is still Golden after the Kovalev fight.... he did absorb quite a bit of punishment in the second half of the fight.

[mlac]

Kovalev was shaken by old man Hopkins in the later rounds, remember?

yeah i remember hopkins hanging on for dear life and staggering around the ring and nearly getting stopped after trying to taunt kovalev

You clearly remember something totally different

[Kigali]

I'm guessing that Ward will make this a close-up fight, which is the best strategy against Kovalev I believe. However, will his punches be able to get enough respect from Kovalev that he won't unleash his own power blows with abandon, possibly catching Ward?

Thoughts?

When will they ever learn.?