Would Kovalev have won the fight if not for the low blow controversy?

[Hond]

If, say, the low blows (the replays are rather inconclusive and look on the belt to me) were not low and Kovalev had fought on, would he have won?

[Cobra_]

He was on his way to getting stopped. He was rocked bad.

[Mukuro]

It is hard to tell, Kovalev was stunned by that right hand and tired, but I can't tell how much that has to do with the borderline shot he was complaining about shortly before. He seemed to be fine until then, then suddenly shot to shit.

Giving Ward the benefit of the doubt about the earlier shot, I'd pick Ward to win the fight had it continued. I would have liked to have seen what happens either way. I don't really even understand how anyone can watch that replay and think those punches were legit.

[markfrombrookly]

No. He was hurt for sure, and weakening as the rounds went. Ward was also getting stronger and more aggressive. If I was Ward I'd be mad the ref took away what could of been a more decisive victory and stoppage.

[////]

I don't know. I just know that you don't suspend the rules and allow a fighter to finish their opponent off with a barrage of low blows and the ref jumping in prematurely because the other guy looks tired.

What are we even asking ourselves? The rules don't change based on circumstance.

Apparently we do know one way Kovalev could have swung the fight back in his favor: His signature right cross straight to Ward's balls.

I'm sure the ref would be raising his hand in victory moments later... Nah he'd be DQ'd and covered in the crowd's drinks.

[Jubei]

I clicked the wrong option, its too late

[Dean_Razorback]

wart only managed to hurt kovalev because of all the low blowing. it was part of the game plan, since round one

[TheBigLug]

Who knows? He wasn't given a chance. The ref just jumped in without real cause. He should have been given a count even if the shots were legal, which they weren't.

Ward was definitely coming on strong but you can't just jump in and end the fight like that. We'll never know how it could have played out. Kovalev wasn't exactly out on his feet or anything.

[Biolink]

After that right hand and with all the body shots Ward was landing he was done. Ward should be mad Weeks took dramatic KO from him tbh.

[Mister Wolf]

He got hurt by some body shots earlier and tried to cry and stare at the ref when the footage clearly showed they weren't low.