Comments Thread For: Andre Ward-Sergey Kovalev: Post-Fight Report Card

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

Sometimes a fight can be closely contested, closely decided, and still be decidedly wrong. That's what happened on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Light heavyweight titlist Sergey Kovalev dominated most of the first half of the fight. Former super middleweight champion Andre Ward made a heck of a comeback in the second half. He rebounded from what looked like a one-sided beating to compete on even terms down the stretch.
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[-PBP-]

At this point for me, it's not a question of wanting to see who the better man is anymore but rather just enjoying seeing these 2 elite fighters go at it. It's a rarity in boxing nowadays. I want to see what adjustments each fighter makes in the rematch. After seeing last nights fight, I'm leaning slightly towards Kovalev.

It's like James Toney vs Mike McCallum. I still don't know who the better man is but those were some damn good fights.

[SteveM]

At this point for me, it's not a question of wanting to see who the better man is anymore but rather just enjoying seeing these 2 elite fighters go at it. It's a rarity in boxing nowadays. I want to see what adjustments each fighter makes in the rematch. After seeing last nights fight, I'm leaning slightly towards Kovalev.

Kovalev did fade in the 2nd half. Or did he, maybe Ward adjusted - I think he did. Actually I think both happened.

I don't think Ward can come in better shape. I do think that Kovalev can. I think Kovalev can work on endurance and diet - I read he eats sub-optimally. When you are an elite sportsman you look for minute gains to bring you that edge - look at 100m sprinters working with hundredths of a second here and there.

Kovalev can also work power punches more to the body. I saw lots of jabs (and his is almost a power punch) but he could just head hunt a little less and body punch more. Kovalev could also bite down on his pride and look up GGG for lessons on how to close off the ring - that would be a huge help as Ward is not as mobile as he used to be.

Ward? Superb comeback but I'm really not sure he can fight better than he did in the second half. Of course, if he does that from the beginning it would be a clearer victory assuming Kov stays the same and doesn't bring anything new.

This is screaming for a rematch but I'm not sure we'll get it. Money will be the biggest issue. It was not a pretty fight. I hope the ppv figures for this fight come out at least respectable and hopefully there'll be a nice surprise to the upside.

[Edward90]

I agree with the 1st two comments here. I really just want to see a rematch between these two. I'm intrigued as to whether Ward figured Kov out, if Kov wethered to the body punches, or both. I think the next fight will be more decisive and politics should be in the way. Ward has no network ties and the promoters have already fogured this out before.... With that being said, both fighters are every bit as good as they claimed. This fight was all I could have asked for. The next fight will be even better considering the urgency of winning...

[BrometheusBob.]

Those who assumed Kovalev couldn’t hold his own technically were wrong. He boxed beautifully in spots, establishing his jab and countering the counter puncher. Ward was expected to have the advantage at mid-to-short range; he did. However, Kovalev held his own in the clinches, initiated his fair share, and did good work with the free hand. He was never as befuddled as a Mikkel Kessler or even Chad Dawson.

This wasn’t skill versus power. It was skill versus skill.

It was also a contest that tested character. What Ward was doing early wasn’t working. He adjusted. He could never quite take away Kovalev’s jab but he did find a way to mitigate the right hand in the second half. He didn’t really improve his chances in the fight by being a fancy dan. Ward went hard nosed and fought. Ward had real mustard on his left hook, used his typically solid body attack, and won exchanges with a dangerous man. His performance in rounds 9, 11, and 12 showed Ward at his best.

It still didn’t look like quite enough. Those who feel different, well…it was a tough fight. They’re no more right or wrong than anyone else. They fell on the right side of the ledger this time around.

These two got together in their prime and gave us a world-class fight. Now each has a genuine world-class rival. And we still don’t know, don’t really know, who the better man is.

Rold stayed classy in explaining his position that Kovalev won the fight and clearly appreciated the quality of the fight

[bojangles1987]

Couldn't agree more with everything here. Kovalev boxed incredibly, and Ward showed guts and heart he has never had to before. Great fight. Please give us another between these two.

[The Big Dunn]

Agree with everyone. This is the kind of fight where a rematch is warranted. It was great to watch two men who have taken the time to learn all aspects of the science and apply it. We saw heart and guts from both men. Both men adjusted and never gave up.

Can't wait to see it again and hope HBO puts it on regular WCB so casual fans can enjoy boxing at its best.

[Citizen Koba]

Nice article. I too edged it to Krusher but I can see how some people might have seen it the other way. In the main though it was just a great, great fight between two elite guys at the top of their game, virtually evenly matched in skill and will, neither prepared to give an inch mentally. Man, even the clinches were fascinating with each struggling at every moment just to gain a microscopic advantage. More please!

[-PBP-]

Kovalev did fade in the 2nd half. Or did he, maybe Ward adjusted - I think he did. Actually I think both happened.

I don't think Ward can come in better shape. I do think that Kovalev can. I think Kovalev can work on endurance and diet - I read he eats sub-optimally. When you are an elite sportsman you look for minute gains to bring you that edge - look at 100m sprinters working with hundredths of a second here and there.

Kovalev can also work power punches more to the body. I saw lots of jabs (and his is almost a power punch) but he could just head hunt a little less and body punch more. Kovalev could also bite down on his pride and look up GGG for lessons on how to close off the ring - that would be a huge help as Ward is not as mobile as he used to be.

Ward? Superb comeback but I'm really not sure he can fight better than he did in the second half. Of course, if he does that from the beginning it would be a clearer victory assuming Kov stays the same and doesn't bring anything new.

This is screaming for a rematch but I'm not sure we'll get it. Money will be the biggest issue. It was not a pretty fight. I hope the ppv figures for this fight come out at least respectable and hopefully there'll be a nice surprise to the upside.

There's too many good fights coming up to get caught up in rematch negotiations 2 days after the fight. Let the process play out and it probably happens in May/June after another series of ****** negotiation BS.

[Nomadic]

Kovalev did fade in the 2nd half. Or did he, maybe Ward adjusted - I think he did. Actually I think both happened.

I don't think Ward can come in better shape. I do think that Kovalev can. I think Kovalev can work on endurance and diet - I read he eats sub-optimally. When you are an elite sportsman you look for minute gains to bring you that edge - look at 100m sprinters working with hundredths of a second here and there.

Kovalev can also work power punches more to the body. I saw lots of jabs (and his is almost a power punch) but he could just head hunt a little less and body punch more. Kovalev could also bite down on his pride and look up GGG for lessons on how to close off the ring - that would be a huge help as Ward is not as mobile as he used to be.

Ward? Superb comeback but I'm really not sure he can fight better than he did in the second half. Of course, if he does that from the beginning it would be a clearer victory assuming Kov stays the same and doesn't bring anything new.

This is screaming for a rematch but I'm not sure we'll get it. Money will be the biggest issue. It was not a pretty fight. I hope the ppv figures for this fight come out at least respectable and hopefully there'll be a nice surprise to the upside.

Good points.