Comments Thread For: Kovalev: If Ward Really Thinks He Won - Prove it in a Rematch!

[Edward90]

I like Ward, but he's a 32 year old fighter with 31 fights (15 KOs). That doesn't sound like an HOF fighter. Not enough fights. However, if he dominates 2 divisions (SMW & LHW), he's in there. He's beaten Kovalev, but that's not enough!

I will respectfully disagree. Olympic gold medalist, unified SMW champion, unified LHW champion, and he hasn't lost a boxing match in 20 years. Who else has been unified in 2 competitive divisions and not been a 1st ballot HOF, never mind the Gold medal?

Also, the number of fights isn't a valid argument either. Sugar Ray Leonard is a prime example of that. After the Hagler fight, he was 34-1 (24 KOs?) and he could have stopped there and be remembered as top 5 P4P all-time, as he is considered by many now. I'm not saying that Ward's resume matches that of Leonard's. I'm just pointing to the relatively low number of fights while holding the esteem of being an ATG, let alone a HOF. Ward gets in the HOF easily. Any wins from here on out is to establish his legacy for ATG status...

[buckfuddy]

Ward is HOF no doubt about that

[TheUptownKid]

I agree with the above poster ward doesn't think he won, he actually won. It's a rematch clause and it may be exercised, but saying ok mandatory rematch doesn't keep you guys talking about the fight. They need to carry over the excitement from current fans along with add new fans. Maybe have him come out with the warriors or something. Play a role in Oakland raiders playoffs. But it's not an opinion thing, ward actually won

[Bronx2245]

I will respectfully disagree. Olympic gold medalist, unified SMW champion, unified LHW champion, and he hasn't lost a boxing match in 20 years. Who else has been unified in 2 competitive divisions and not been a 1st ballot HOF, never mind the Gold medal?

Also, the number of fights isn't a valid argument either. Sugar Ray Leonard is a prime example of that. After the Hagler fight, he was 34-1 (24 KOs?) and he could have stopped there and be remembered as top 5 P4P all-time, as he is considered by many now. I'm not saying that Ward's resume matches that of Leonard's. I'm just pointing to the relatively low number of fights while holding the esteem of being an ATG, let alone a HOF. Ward gets in the HOF easily. Any wins from here on out is to establish his legacy for ATG status...

I'm glad you acknowledge that Ward's resume is nowhere near Sugar Ray Leonard's. We good!

[MDPopescu]

... But it's not an opinion thing, ward actually won

Floyd Mayweather Sr: "I could have called it a DRAW... AT THE BEST"

[Edward90]

I'm glad you acknowledge that Ward's resume is nowhere near Sugar Ray Leonard's. We good!

Oh no! LOL. I try to stay objective as possible. I'm a Ward fan, but I'm not crazy. LOL. Leonard beat multiple ATG. It's no comparison as far as resumes go.

[GaryMSchneider]

80% of the worlds boxing experts said Kovalev beat Ward. In this case the majority is right.

[Froch_uppercut]

Calm down Kov! You'll get a rematch, but Ward is trying to get more money! I believe Ward's deal with HBO is over, so I think he's posturing (talking retirement) to get more than just a rematch with Kovalev! It would be ironic if Ward signed with Showtime, and the rematch was called off because Kovalev can't fight on Showtime! That would suit me just fine because I want to see Ward face Stevenson and Beterbiev @ 175 before he retires!

While I agree that Ward is likely posturing to get more money (he always has shut slanted his way) it's also a real possibility that he will just quit. He knows he lost, and knows he won't get given a gift decision twice in a row.
As for him fighting Beterbiev - I can't see it - that guy is THE best lh in the world, no way Andrea wants anything to do with him.

[Bronx2245]

While I agree that Ward is likely posturing to get more money (he always has shut slanted his way) it's also a real possibility that he will just quit. He knows he lost, and knows he won't get given a gift decision twice in a row.
As for him fighting Beterbiev - I can't see it - that guy is THE best lh in the world, no way Andrea wants anything to do with him.

I don't think Kovalev or Stevenson want Beterbiev either, not just Ward. I don't doubt Ward's courage because he moved up from 168 to fight Kovalev. Has Kovalev moved up to fight bigger guys? NO!

[Boxing Logic]

Didn't think it was bad. These guys are just not known.

Unless you mean, why didn't they show up on sht like Conan. Because they are not known. There was plenty of promotions, like 3 or 4 story features one from Yahoo, two or three from HBO, Kovalev was on Los Golpes, the build up was followed by the mexican ESPN. I mean, if you can't even get the mexicans involved.

I thought the promotion did a decent job, but I did notice Ward did no promotion and his features were boring and he was over-dramatic of his childhood trauma. Not sure how much more they can reel in by exposing Ward's boring ass.

All I know is ever since they stopped doing 24/7s, the PPV sales have gone down. These short "Road To" shows don't do anything. I really think it helps build it up with a casual audience for random people to see "24/7" three weeks in a row every saturday night leading up to the fight. That is what signals to people that a PPV is coming up. And there are replays on all the time, people can stumble upon them and get interested in the fight. It also gives an hour extra of footage of the fighters trash talking and storylines developing and stuff that generates conversation and buzz week after week leading up to the event.

I really think these PPVs would be better off with full 24/7s. Why do you think it doesn't happen anymore? Does 24/7 cost too much to produce for these smaller promoters PPV shows?