Comments Thread For: Jackson: If Kovalev Is In Better Shape, He'll KO Ward In Rematch

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

One of the main adjustments John David Jackson wants to make before Sergey Kovalev fights Andre Ward a second time is to get Kovalev in better condition. Kovalev's trainer thought his fighter was in very good shape for their November 19 fight in Las Vegas. He acknowledged Ward was better conditioned, however, and that it made a difference late in a 12-round light heavyweight title fight Ward won by unanimous decision at T-Mobile Arena.
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[-PBP-]

If that's the only thing they believe they need to fix I hope he gets a new trainer.

You have to look at why he gassed out late in the fight. It was from the wrestling, the body shots and the missed punches. He needs to work on shortening his shots on the inside so he can continue to score when Ward gets on him.

[Eastcoast]

Fight of his life, how does he not come in peak condition?

I do wonder who Kovalev used for S&C. Ward used Mackie Shilstone, Kovalev should get Memo.

[MDPopescu]

One of the main adjustments John David Jackson wants to make before Sergey Kovalev fights Andre Ward a second time is to get Kovalev in better condition. Kovalev's trainer thought his fighter was in very good shape for their November 19 fight in Las Vegas. He acknowledged Ward was better conditioned, however, and that it made a difference late in a 12-round light heavyweight title fight Ward won by unanimous decision at T-Mobile Arena.
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... it was not about the "better shape", it was about Ward's usual game, which Jackson/Kovalev simply weren't able to nullify... Ward didn't "win", but he was able to employ his usual "style" -- which was "enough" for the judges...

[Derranged]

Kovalev didn't really get to land flush on Ward's chin. Even the knockdown, it caught Ward on the nose and Kovalev didn't have full extension on the shot.

They really need to study Ward hard and find a way to counter. I strongly believe that Kovalev can knock Ward out but its gonna be really tough to catch him with the shot needed to do so.

[bronx7]

Fight of his career kovalev should have been in his best shape possible his fault he runs his camp doesn't listen Jackson even said to teach him moves he can't tell him he has to trick him using the pads very unprofessional a narcissist

[Edward90]

I mean.. Whatever... I don't like that he came out and confirmed what Ward has been saying for months. Why are you feeding that monster? Work on your inside game. Figure out how to cut off the ring. If conditioning is what you think the main problem was, you weren't paying attention. Did you not see how red Kov's left side was? I'm excited for the rematch, but I hope Kov adds more wrinkles to his game. I thought Ward won the first fight and he will win the second one too unless they do something more than address conditioning...

[youbeight]

biggest fight of his career, and you felt his conditioning was lacking vs a inside fighter that nullifies his opponents physically while bringing in one of the best s&c ppl in the world? smfh.

[j0zef]

Yeah, I don't buy any of that. Ward was his biggest fight, he should have been in tip top shape. Wont get much better. And he was never much of a body puncher either, hell, I think he landed more bodyshots vs. Ward than he ever has.

I like JDJ, but think he's 100% wrong on this.

[SteveM]

Fight of his life, how does he not come in peak condition?

I do wonder who Kovalev used for S&C. Ward used Mackie Shilstone, Kovalev should get Memo.

Other posters have commentated he sometimes has a beer in hand at fights and I believe i saw a photo of him eating a burger.

I suspect he's not mentally disciplined enough outside of the ring to put in the extra hours in the gym and control the diet? He needs some psychology to re-adjust his desire levels and also more fitness training.

Maybe over confident too. I believe I saw a superior fighter at lhw in the early rounds when both were in good shape. Ward has superior self belief and is a better boxer at a lighter weight.