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Kovalev is still upset about losing on the scorecards in the 1st one. I think kovalev won the 1st match, I also think Ward KNOWS(in his heart) he lost the 1st fight. With this dynamic in place, it would appear to Kovalev some of Wards actions could be characterized as laced with apprehension or fear.
Draggin his feet about making the decision to do the rematch, basically waiting to the last minute, I think Ward is a very composed man, but composure does not mean internally your not experiencing Fear, or anxiety of some kind.
I study the body language, I felt Ward was composed in the stare down for the 1st fight, but I sensed his Fear, if you will. But @ the end of the day, Ward has courage, but courage IS NOT THE ABSENCE of Fear, Fear can STILL BE Present.
Factoring in these things, and I think partially that may have been the reason why Ward considered retirement. To me , Ward didn't look like the Ward BEFORE HIS LAYOFF........he didn't have the athleticism I'm used to seeing from Ward, he threw a lot of punches but they weren't landing though he got credit for them, I've watched this fight 4 times with the sound down, carefully watching each fighters punches and were they end up.
Kovalev WON the 1st fight, and I personally don't like Kovalev, I think he's a racist piece of ****, but for a guy of his size, he's pretty athletic, kovalev has very good timing and balance, long arms, a very good jab,....he's a hard style to deal with...... Kovalev landed the more telling blows and he had the Knock down, his output slowed later in the fight BUT Ward DID NOT take advantage enough to convincingly take the Title off of Kovalev.
If I was Kovalev I would be pissed too, you knock the guy down, land the more telling blows and they take your title away from you that you've been convincingly defending for years ??
I'll say this:
If Ward can get back to the kind of athleticism, timing , and punch output he had before they layoff, he can beat kovalev, that's whats so interesting to me, that wasn't the Ward I'm used to seeing athletically speaking, and Kovalev beat him by 1 or 2 points unofficially imo, that a small margin.
Kovalev can do better , but Ward has the potential to make more adjustments, tweak his tactics. I think the physicality of Kovalev neutralized Ward, he must overcome this better in the rematch.
Draggin his feet about making the decision to do the rematch, basically waiting to the last minute, I think Ward is a very composed man, but composure does not mean internally your not experiencing Fear, or anxiety of some kind.
I study the body language, I felt Ward was composed in the stare down for the 1st fight, but I sensed his Fear, if you will. But @ the end of the day, Ward has courage, but courage IS NOT THE ABSENCE of Fear, Fear can STILL BE Present.
Factoring in these things, and I think partially that may have been the reason why Ward considered retirement. To me , Ward didn't look like the Ward BEFORE HIS LAYOFF........he didn't have the athleticism I'm used to seeing from Ward, he threw a lot of punches but they weren't landing though he got credit for them, I've watched this fight 4 times with the sound down, carefully watching each fighters punches and were they end up.
Kovalev WON the 1st fight, and I personally don't like Kovalev, I think he's a racist piece of ****, but for a guy of his size, he's pretty athletic, kovalev has very good timing and balance, long arms, a very good jab,....he's a hard style to deal with...... Kovalev landed the more telling blows and he had the Knock down, his output slowed later in the fight BUT Ward DID NOT take advantage enough to convincingly take the Title off of Kovalev.
If I was Kovalev I would be pissed too, you knock the guy down, land the more telling blows and they take your title away from you that you've been convincingly defending for years ??
I'll say this:
If Ward can get back to the kind of athleticism, timing , and punch output he had before they layoff, he can beat kovalev, that's whats so interesting to me, that wasn't the Ward I'm used to seeing athletically speaking, and Kovalev beat him by 1 or 2 points unofficially imo, that a small margin.
Kovalev can do better , but Ward has the potential to make more adjustments, tweak his tactics. I think the physicality of Kovalev neutralized Ward, he must overcome this better in the rematch.
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