Kovalev outlanded Ward in rds 10/12, can somebody make a case for Ward wininn those?

[King_]

You can't make the case that either fighter was comfortably out boxing the other in those rounds, they were razor close. But the perception of those rounds in light of how the first few rounds looked would lead most people to believe that Ward was reestablishing himself and taking control of the fight- even though the action was back and forth. The only round that was clear for Kovalev was round 2, and maybe the first. There is a lot of fight left after that, and they were continuously gaining the advantage on each other. But the tempo and rhythm of the fight was changed in Ward's favor in the 2nd half

Dr Rumack said it best in another thread:

"It's important to recognise why that happens too. There's a huge problem with narrative bias when a guy like Ward fights. If the round is low action, he seems to win by default, without actually having to score himself. He gets credit for defence. But Kovalev gets no credit. When Kovalev blocks and slips shots, making Ward miss, it doesn't matter. Kovalev's defence is not part of the narrative. Only his offence. Whereas Ward gets credit for both. So Kovalev can only win rounds by landing heavy flush shots. Whereas Ward can win the round with a couple of spear jabs.

I'm sick of seeing it. Both guys should have to score at the same level to win. In boxing at the moment it's like a soccer team playing ultra defensive against an attacking team, and being awarded the win without actually having to score themselves."

[Boxer149]

Dr Rumack said it best in another thread:

"It's important to recognise why that happens too. There's a huge problem with narrative bias when a guy like Ward fights. If the round is low action, he seems to win by default, without actually having to score himself. He gets credit for defence. But Kovalev gets no credit. When Kovalev blocks and slips shots, making Ward miss, it doesn't matter. Kovalev's defence is not part of the narrative. Only his offence. Whereas Ward gets credit for both. So Kovalev can only win rounds by landing heavy flush shots. Whereas Ward can win the round with a couple of spear jabs.

I'm sick of seeing it. Both guys should have to score at the same level to win. In boxing at the moment it's like a soccer team playing ultra defensive against an attacking team, and being awarded the win without actually having to score themselves."

He makes a great point, but if you go by HBO announcers last night, it seemed to be clear that Lampley and Lederman were clearly favoring Kovalev and Kellerman was playing Devils advocate and speaking up when Ward was landing.. There was not much of a narrative bias for Ward at all last night. And it's almost impossible to have a narrative bias in such a close fight. On a side note though, I respect how hard you are defending your fighter without resorting to childish bull**** that a lot of other people do. I can actually enjoy the back and forth when it's done with class

[Doctor_Tenma]

Gave Ward round 12 on first viewing and rewatching it. Kovalev clearly took round 10. Also, round 3 was a clear Ward round for me as well.

[King_]

He makes a great point, but if you go by HBO announcers last night, it seemed to be clear that Lampley and Lederman were clearly favoring Kovalev and Kellerman was playing Devils advocate and speaking up when Ward was landing.. There was not much of a narrative bias for Ward at all last night. And it's almost impossible to have a narrative bias in such a close fight. On a side note though, I respect how hard you are defending your fighter without resorting to childish bull**** that a lot of other people do. I can actually enjoy the back and forth when it's done with class

I DID actually think that Max was doing a little more then playing devils advocate. He was bias towards Ward when I don't think he should of been. I thought he was calling things for Ward when they looked to go for Kovalev. He missed some legit head-snapping punches that Kovlaev landed and then brought up a a body shot by Ward right after.


But at any rate, I agree with your side note, thanks for the debate!

[TheCell8]

I've been listening to the YTBC echo chamber and they're giving Ward 8-9 rounds lmfao.

[Dean_Razorback]

I've been listening to the YTBC echo chamber and they're giving Ward 8-9 rounds lmfao.

can you post it here? i want a good laugh

[SplitSecond]

Gave Ward round 12 on first viewing and rewatching it. Kovalev clearly took round 10. Also, round 3 was a clear Ward round for me as well.

Agreed on all points. Give us your full card when you got it.

[Boxer149]

I DID actually think that Max was doing a little more then playing devils advocate. He was bias towards Ward when I don't think he should of been. I thought he was calling things for Ward when they looked to go for Kovalev. He missed some legit head-snapping punches that Kovlaev landed and then brought up a a body shot by Ward right after.


But at any rate, I agree with your side note, thanks for the debate!

Maybe he was a little biased toward Ward, but you have to agree that Lampley and especially Lederman were biased for Sergey. Lampley even had to correct himself for saying Ward got hurt with a right hand they they saw didn't even land on the replay. Regardless of all that, it was a great fight. Hopefully politics doesn't come into play and we actually see a quick turnaround for the rematch

[King_]

Maybe he was a little biased toward Ward, but you have to agree that Lampley and especially Lederman were biased for Sergey. Lampley even had to correct himself for saying Ward got hurt with a right hand they they saw didn't even land on the replay. Regardless of all that, it was a great fight. Hopefully politics doesn't come into play and we actually see a quick turnaround for the rematch

Yeah, I did catch that one moment where Lampley said Ward got hit but he didn't. I will admit Lampley was at one extreme end and Max was at the other.... BUT, I feel Lampley was more "right," with his extreme end ( I mean one of them has to be right, right?), but obviously that's just my opinion.

Hopefully rematch is the next fight and neither guy takes any tune ups.

[Doctor_Tenma]

Agreed on all points. Give us your full card when you got it.

Ward 3,5,7,8,9,11,12
Kovalev, 1, 2+KD,4,6,10

114-113 Ward