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First fight was an excellent match between arguably #1 and #2 PFP guys.
All 3 official judges had it 114-113 for Ward (UD)
My personal card:
1 = Kovy
2 = Kovy *Plus a KD
3 = Swing round (depends what you like)
4 = Swing round (depends what you like)
5 = Ward
6 = Kovy
7 = Ward
8 = Ward
9 = Ward
10 = Swing round (depends what you like)
11 = Ward
12 = Swing round (depends what you like)
Without including the four swing rounds I had it 76-75 for Ward (including Kovy's KD) which is 5-3 for Ward in rounds. However, the fight could have gone either way depending on what you liked. More on the swing rounds (3, 4, 10, 12) using the HBO broadcast
Harold Lederman gave Kovalev all of the swing rounds and produced a pretty decisive card at 116-111.
Max Kellerman and RJJ both disagreed with Harold Lederman about rounds 4 and 10, suggesting Ward won them. Making those changes would even the swing rounds out at 2-2.
Side comments to note: RJJ and Kellerman pointed out about ~1:00 into Round 6 that Kovalev was doing most of the holding. Many fans (and Lederman) complained that Ward was doing ~all of the holding, but the broadcast team saw it differently (labeling Kovalev as the initiator).
Kovalev also did a lot of pushing down as Ward attempted to get inside and Ward did a lot of forearms to the face use (circa Mayweather). Low blows were exchanged at times, but neither man seemed at all fazed by any of this.
Biased fans (for either guy) could have scored the fight along with Harold Lederman at 116-111 Kovalev (8-4 in rounds) or 115-112 Ward (8-4 in rounds). Scoring that wide really comes off as biased because of how close and competitive the fight was.
Personally I wasn't disappointed with the score because the fight was awesome. It was a good, competitive close fight and I can't wait for the rematch. Shame one guy had to lose because both came to win and deserved a win.
Ward showed a ton of heart and made a lot of adjustments and put in good body work. Kovalev showed his power is the real deal in KD Ward (2nd) and that he can box a whole lot better than he's given credit for.
Can't wait for the rematch !
All 3 official judges had it 114-113 for Ward (UD)
My personal card:
1 = Kovy
2 = Kovy *Plus a KD
3 = Swing round (depends what you like)
4 = Swing round (depends what you like)
5 = Ward
6 = Kovy
7 = Ward
8 = Ward
9 = Ward
10 = Swing round (depends what you like)
11 = Ward
12 = Swing round (depends what you like)
Without including the four swing rounds I had it 76-75 for Ward (including Kovy's KD) which is 5-3 for Ward in rounds. However, the fight could have gone either way depending on what you liked. More on the swing rounds (3, 4, 10, 12) using the HBO broadcast
Harold Lederman gave Kovalev all of the swing rounds and produced a pretty decisive card at 116-111.
Max Kellerman and RJJ both disagreed with Harold Lederman about rounds 4 and 10, suggesting Ward won them. Making those changes would even the swing rounds out at 2-2.
Side comments to note: RJJ and Kellerman pointed out about ~1:00 into Round 6 that Kovalev was doing most of the holding. Many fans (and Lederman) complained that Ward was doing ~all of the holding, but the broadcast team saw it differently (labeling Kovalev as the initiator).
Kovalev also did a lot of pushing down as Ward attempted to get inside and Ward did a lot of forearms to the face use (circa Mayweather). Low blows were exchanged at times, but neither man seemed at all fazed by any of this.
Biased fans (for either guy) could have scored the fight along with Harold Lederman at 116-111 Kovalev (8-4 in rounds) or 115-112 Ward (8-4 in rounds). Scoring that wide really comes off as biased because of how close and competitive the fight was.
Personally I wasn't disappointed with the score because the fight was awesome. It was a good, competitive close fight and I can't wait for the rematch. Shame one guy had to lose because both came to win and deserved a win.
Ward showed a ton of heart and made a lot of adjustments and put in good body work. Kovalev showed his power is the real deal in KD Ward (2nd) and that he can box a whole lot better than he's given credit for.
Can't wait for the rematch !
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