With the intense racial (black vs white), and national attention (US vs Russia) attached to this fight, I can see a lot of fights breaking out in the stands between spectators. It might even spill into the ring, possibly after the fight between camps.
Let's be honest, the entire build up to this fight is racially motivated, and the current tensions between the US and Russia doesn't help. Most of the race talk has came from Ward's camp/managers, whereas Kovalev seems like he only pokes a few jokes in Ward's direction.
Even Ward's manager has basically implied that Kovalev's current trainer, John David Jackson, is an "uncle Tom" for training a Russian instead of an American. And even the white president of Roc Nation Sports put out a statement condemning Kovalev's alleged racist remarks.
Most of Ward's fans, at least those who will be in attendance, are African Americans with a few USA chanting whites sprinkled in. And Kovalev's vocal fan base will be the proud Russians. Of course he will have the support of some right-wing Whites but they will be quiet in fear of being outed as racist and for rooting against their countrymen. Russians are proud of their guy and so are African Americans. I can see this causing a TON of racial tension in the arena. I hope security is on point.
Just be careful if you are attending the fight guys! I hope no one gets sucker punched like that Mexican dude last week. That was such a blow to the sport!
Let's be honest, the entire build up to this fight is racially motivated, and the current tensions between the US and Russia doesn't help. Most of the race talk has came from Ward's camp/managers, whereas Kovalev seems like he only pokes a few jokes in Ward's direction.
Even Ward's manager has basically implied that Kovalev's current trainer, John David Jackson, is an "uncle Tom" for training a Russian instead of an American. And even the white president of Roc Nation Sports put out a statement condemning Kovalev's alleged racist remarks.
Most of Ward's fans, at least those who will be in attendance, are African Americans with a few USA chanting whites sprinkled in. And Kovalev's vocal fan base will be the proud Russians. Of course he will have the support of some right-wing Whites but they will be quiet in fear of being outed as racist and for rooting against their countrymen. Russians are proud of their guy and so are African Americans. I can see this causing a TON of racial tension in the arena. I hope security is on point.
Just be careful if you are attending the fight guys! I hope no one gets sucker punched like that Mexican dude last week. That was such a blow to the sport!
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