Comments Thread For: Kovalev's Coach Explains Why Ward Will NOT Improve in Rematch

[kennethjohn]

"repeat the win" is misleading
it was close but a clear win for kovalev, who decisively beat ward but lost to the three american judges

now we have ****** ward drama for the rematch. boxing has learned a lot of pro rasslin. its good business but bad sport.

for the record im a much bigger ward fan and favored him to win, but he clearly lost.

lol clear win for kovalev. watched the hbo broadcast and agreed with al the rounds harod gave kovalev that were clear as day ward rounds.

[Boxopera]

Ward does not have to improve. Just needs the same judges. Again Ward should get knock down, lose the first half of the fight, then win like half of the remaining rounds...

[Idunnoshet]

Ward has fought ONE WAY his whole damn career. Be stiff and strong on the inside and work the opponent and frustrate him with short punches, elbows and forearms. When he is further away from the opponent, he pulls the old Bhop move, namely, jab, jab, right hand, lunge in with your head. It has worked extremely well against all but a handful of opponents. It's why I thought he'd beat Kovalev: too strong and tricky on the inside.

I never expected Kovalev to not only be good enough to counter all his work on the inside (found out he trained extensively in greco-roman wrestling) but also to completely negate Ward's range game. Kovalev was superior in every department.

The only thing Ward can improve is his strength and physicality but he can not add any new boxing tricks to his bag, not now, not on the wrong side of 30 and not against someone as astute as Kovalev.

Also, there's something else I'd like to point out and it's something people realised after the Kovalev fight: for all the hype and everyone talking about how great Ward's physical attributes are (e.g. hand speed, foot speed and reflexes) I said, time and time again (there was a whole thread where I had to fight off like 20 ****** hood**** on this) Ward's natural gifts just aren't that good compared to most top fighters throughout boxing history.

He is very simple to figure out and he gets hit quite a bit because his reflexes aren't particularly sharp and not are his hands all that quick and his feet are often flat not fleet. Kovalev exploited all that. I just wish I hadn't underrated Kovs inside game.

If Kov himself can work on his fitness down the stretch, he'll put a beating on Ward in the rematch...which is unlikely for at least another 6-8 months.

Have to agree with u there . I also thought Ward would beat Kovalev . I saw it as Ward being too crafty , slick ,and fast for Kovalev . After the first 2 rounds I was still waiting for Ward to adjust ( which he did ) and school Kov ( which he didn't IMO ). Alot of people on here , including me thought Ward would be the next coming of Floyd . Floyd would adjust to the fighter and either outbox ( WITH combinations ) or even walk em down . Ward will throw one jab , clinch , get dirty on the inside and repeat . I don't see how the judges can claim to be non- bias after a decision like that . U can't beat the "defending" champion with an occasional jab to the head or body after getting dropped and losing almost all of the first 7 rounds . Ward = ehh Kovalev = I am a believer .

[KingHippo]

"repeat the win" is misleading
it was close but a clear win for kovalev, who decisively beat ward but lost to the three american judges

now we have ****** ward drama for the rematch. boxing has learned a lot of pro rasslin. its good business but bad sport.

for the record im a much bigger ward fan and favored him to win, but he clearly lost.

Isn't that an oxymoron

[Unsuspected]

Blah, Blah. Kovalev isn't the first or last boxer to lose a close or questionable decision. I've never been a Ward fan but all the constant whining and insults are making it difficult to root for Kovalev in a rematch. How about shutting up and doing your talking in a return. All that *****ing from his people is getting extremely tiresome and redundant.

[Drew Bundini Br]

Kov actually beat Chilimba.The rounds weren't as close.

[soul_survivor]

Have to agree with u there . I also thought Ward would beat Kovalev . I saw it as Ward being too crafty , slick ,and fast for Kovalev . After the first 2 rounds I was still waiting for Ward to adjust ( which he did ) and school Kov ( which he didn't IMO ). Alot of people on here , including me thought Ward would be the next coming of Floyd . Floyd would adjust to the fighter and either outbox ( WITH combinations ) or even walk em down . Ward will throw one jab , clinch , get dirty on the inside and repeat . I don't see how the judges can claim to be non- bias after a decision like that . U can't beat the "defending" champion with an occasional jab to the head or body after getting dropped and losing almost all of the first 7 rounds . Ward = ehh Kovalev = I am a believer .

yep yep yep

ALso, with Mayweather, he had the physical gifts to adjust, namely reflexes and hand/foot speed. Ward has never had those. Mayweather could lay on the ropes or stand in the pocket and use his shoulders, upper arms and gloves to take punches with the occasional counter.

Ward just isn't quick enough to do any of that.

[ruedboy]

The ref played a big role in the first fight. At 74 and returning to the ring from back surgery, Byrd was unable to control the fighters.
Neither fighter was following Byrd's instructions and the fight deteriorated into a foul filled wrestling match.
This situation probably helped Ward more than Kovalev.
So Andre might do better if Byrd's older brother (who is blind in one eye) replaces the 74 year old.

[HURTFEELINGS]

There will me a more lucrative rematch in the Heavyweight Division. For a heavyweight championship.

[Gillie]

Blah, Blah. Kovalev isn't the first or last boxer to lose a close or questionable decision. I've never been a Ward fan but all the constant whining and insults are making it difficult to root for Kovalev in a rematch. How about shutting up and doing your talking in a return. All that *****ing from his people is getting extremely tiresome and redundant.

Maybe but Ward's behavior has been just as obnoxious. He clearly thought that he lost but the second the decision was read, he suddenly started believing that he was dominant and should be paid accordingly. It's possible that both will lose fans (despite gaining some for the actual fight) for all of this post fight nonsense.