I feel sorry for Kovalev

[g27region]

By Out landing Ward in the stats and putting him on the ass and out muscling him? Or are you just being plain ******?

The good defensive boxer always beats the good offensive boxer, look at Mayweather/Pacquaio for example. Ward got better accuracy. Now Kovalev career is done, and he'd get dominated in rematch because he's like an open book for Ward right now after that fight. It doesn't matter what you think or what I think about the fight and who landed more punches, at the end of the day, only official scorecards matters, and the other talk is just excuses. Even if Kovalev was knocking him down in every round, it wouldn't mean nothing if the judges aren't convinced

You either win or lose and there's nothing in between

[bojangles1987]

I'm unsure why anyone questioned Kovlalev's skills anyway.

Yeah he does make mistakes sometimes and could improve in some areas but at the same time he's shown to be very skilled and crafty with an exceptional jab and timing and good countering too.

But yeah I agree if anyone was in doubt he showed it tonight despite losing officially. Because Ward has never been hit this much in any other of his fights and he was definitely outboxed at times. But then Ward did a great job of adjusting. Really good fight and I'm glad the scorecards reflected it.

Rematch due.

Not so much questioning as waiting to see it against an opponent of this level. So any questions or excuses that might have still existed ("Hopkins was 50 doe") are forever gone.

[Jewish-Reptile]

Forget all the trolling and OTT reactions between fans etc.

Imagine waking up after that performance and no longer being champ. Not that it was a flawless performance but who else has made Andre look like that? That is about as good as any opponent can ever look good against Ward.

Now, Andre himself did magnificent to adjust after those first two shocking rounds. World-class adjustment and grit in a fight he was out-gunned in, and that he couldn't fully dominate boxing-wise (for the first time in his career).

I loved the fight, both guys get all my love and respect.

And whilst the rounds were close, it's hard to think that Andre sweeped the last 6 rounds on all judges card bar one (which gave Kov the 12th - though by that time, that same judge had Andre winning the fight anyway). Every close round went to Andre, which is a little fishy, you must admit.

Hopefully Kov at least gets the respect of all the boxing fans and fighters who thought he was clearly going to get out-boxed. I'm going to be honest - I think last night we saw the best fighter in the game in Kovalev. Dude is a straight up brilliant fighter. Ward too. **** man, everyone is ****ting on Ward, without giving much credit to the fact that he hung in there and shifted the momentum against a guy he was out-gunned against. All this will be lost in the endless debates and arguments.

Completely unbiased great post. Might even sig this shyt just to shut up all the sore losers contesting what was an acceptable score but ultimately a little closer than how I felt it was.

[Jsmooth9876]

While I don't think the fight was a robbery, I know for certain Las Vegas is a seas pool. All you need to do is take a look at the Booker fight to know it's pretty easy to line someone's pockets to get every round in your favor. That kid got beat up and embarrassed and still came out without a loss.

I had Kovalev winning 114-113 but apparently Ward got credit for EVERY close round in the fight. Who knows if there was any American bias from the judges but if the rematch happens, it shouldn't be set up the same way.

[Chrismart]

So what he did to prove that he's more than just a brawler?

No offense, but i've already seen your thread/posts about Ward V Barrera and Ward V Froch being a more competitive fights than Kov V Ward.
I've already read through you posts about Kov having no heart and being nothing but a puncher.

And like the other guys in those threads who have laughed your comments off, i totally disagree with what you said and that's why i gave those threads a wide birth.

[Dr Rumack]

I had Kovalev winning 114-113 but apparently Ward got credit for EVERY close round in the fight. Who knows if there was any American bias from the judges but if the rematch happens, it shouldn't be set up the same way.

That's what I find sickening. I had the same score and thought the fight was close, but one guy being given all the toss-up rounds stinks. I hate when one fighter has to do twice as much work to get the same credit.

[Thraxox]

That's what I find sickening. I had the same score and thought the fight was close, but one guy being given all the toss-up rounds stinks. I hate when one fighter has to do twice as much work to get the same credit.

In round ten and twelve doe, a round where it was a clear Kovalev round and they still gave it to Ward. And they wonder why fans are becoming angrier at boxing and leaving the sport.

[Zaryu]

Fully agree with open post. In fact, I had a very similar reaction after the bout.

[devildg]

He mugged Andre Ward and outworked him. Nothing more you can do to be honest. Ward came back strong and grappled his way to a decision. Still a great fight and I hope Ward doesnt go on another hiatus.

[-PBP-]

Forget all the trolling and OTT reactions between fans etc.

Imagine waking up after that performance and no longer being champ. Not that it was a flawless performance but who else has made Andre look like that? That is about as good as any opponent can ever look good against Ward.

Now, Andre himself did magnificent to adjust after those first two shocking rounds. World-class adjustment and grit in a fight he was out-gunned in, and that he couldn't fully dominate boxing-wise (for the first time in his career).

I loved the fight, both guys get all my love and respect.

And whilst the rounds were close, it's hard to think that Andre sweeped the last 6 rounds on all judges card bar one (which gave Kov the 12th - though by that time, that same judge had Andre winning the fight anyway). Every close round went to Andre, which is a little fishy, you must admit.

Hopefully Kov at least gets the respect of all the boxing fans and fighters who thought he was clearly going to get out-boxed. I'm going to be honest - I think last night we saw the best fighter in the game in Kovalev. Dude is a straight up brilliant fighter. Ward too. **** man, everyone is ****ting on Ward, without giving much credit to the fact that he hung in there and shifted the momentum against a guy he was out-gunned against. All this will be lost in the endless debates and arguments.

I feel bad for him as well because he needed this win more than Ward. But when you lose so many of the later rounds you leave it in the hands of the judges.

Fortunately we get to see a rematch between these two great fighters.