Ward has him figured out I think. Kovalev started impressively strong but failed to impose his style as the rounds went on even though he had a hurt opponent in front of him. Both fighters proved to be terrific boxers.
Kovalev will struggle to win 3 rounds in the rematch
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Funny, I look at it the opposite way. I think Kovalev had Ward figured out the entire fight.
When has Ward looked like that? He wasn't throwing combos, even in the later rounds. He was battling a fine-line between survival, and trying his best to score some points in spurts. And never could really get a rhythm going and fight how he knows how to.
Kovalev had Ward figured out, IMO. He knew he couldn't be hurt, and he comfortably outboxed him in the later rounds.
I think in a rematch, Kovalev would obviously know he has to get the KO, and knows that Ward can't hurt him, and will do enough to stop him. -
Many will assume this, but don't be so sure. Kovalev is better at range, and Ward's comeback had a lot to do with Kovalev fading late, not just because Ward adjusted (though that certainly had something to do with it). Kovalev will also make his own adjustments going into a rematch.
Ward will likely face the same struggles early in a rematch that he did last night, and possibly have to climb out of another early hole. He'll also need to do so way earlier than he did the first time around.Comment
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