Who will win Ward vs Kovalev rematch?

[kiaba360]

I think Kov will have a harder time with Ward. Ward was vulnerable in the beginning because he was standing in perfect range for all of Kovalev's firepower. As soon as Ward gets Kov into a continual loop of clinching, he's pretty much screwed.

[!! Shawn]

Ward showed more ability to adapt and adjust. Unless Kovalev comes with a much different game plan or really catches ward cold, I think ward will win a rematch.

I thought Kovalev won tonight though.

[!! Shawn]

Reality check;
HBO was pumping up Kovalev the entire time, AND after the fight. The judges and the Brits got it correct.

Reality check, HBO was riding Ward hard the entire fight, except for Harold.

[sunny31]

You could literally see the rust falling off Ward as the fight wore on, you could see him loosening up. I think its always a close fight because of the threat of Kovalev's power, but Ward will be better in the rematch in my opinion.

I don't think Ward did himself any favours by not fighting better competition in the build up to this, he was not ready when that bell rang, but he is so good that he survived and started to figure it out on the fly, and like I said he started looking like the old Ward as the fight wore on.

[TRTboy]

Kovalev needs to limit wrestling with Ward. He was pushing ward back a lot early but it cost him his energy. Ward is more comfortable with that stuff and he has the experience of going 12 more.

I think Kov faded because he was trying to hard trying to out wrestle Ward. I think with a better gameplan of minimizing those battles he wins even clearly in a rematch.

Ward had nothing for him when Kov was fresh.

[Redd Foxx]

You could literally see the rust falling off Ward as the fight wore on, you could see him loosening up. I think its always a close fight because of the threat of Kovalev's power, but Ward will be better in the rematch in my opinion.

I don't think Ward did himself any favours by not fighting better competition in the build up to this, he was not ready when that bell rang, but he is so good that he survived and started to figure it out on the fly, and like I said he started looking like the old Ward as the fight wore on.

It was weird. Did you notice Andre was red-eyed and hazy looking before the fight even started? I thought he looked totally off. Then, as you said, he loosened up. Hunter did a brilliant job navigating him through though, keeping his head in the fight.

[TRTboy]

You could literally see the rust falling off Ward as the fight wore on, you could see him loosening up. I think its always a close fight because of the threat of Kovalev's power, but Ward will be better in the rematch in my opinion.

I don't think Ward did himself any favours by not fighting better competition in the build up to this, he was not ready when that bell rang, but he is so good that he survived and started to figure it out on the fly, and like I said he started looking like the old Ward as the fight wore on.

It was more Kovalev fading because of all the wrestling that Ward is used to. I mean it's not like he hit Kov with a lot of shots. Kovalev slowed down on his oww because as I've said he kind of got ****** into a wrestling match.

[b00g13man]

I'd lean Ward. He adapted, and Kov didn't have much in the second half.

[TheCell8]

Kovalev realizes he can hurt him and will probably look to finish the job early in the rematch. I expect a KO.

[sunny31]

It was weird. Did you notice Andre was red-eyed and hazy looking before the fight even started? I thought he looked totally off. Then, as you said, he loosened up. Hunter did a brilliant job navigating him through though, keeping his head in the fight.

I called it in the main ppv sticky thread - said he looked tight and nervous, didn't really notice the red-eyed hazy thing but I will watch it again later. Sergey looked way more comfortable before the bell and it showed up in those early rounds.

Ward showed the difference between a normal mental makeup and a truly elite mental makeup today. I think most men would have crumbled or coasted to a safety first decision loss, Ward kept digging and booked his place in Canastota.

Did you like my pre-fight prediction though?