Rewatched the fight. Ward was the better man. Disappointed in Kovalev

[Jimmy 23]

Ward's best moments in rematch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR6kHBR_4AY

[mrpain81]

Props for not being stubborn and going back to see things you might have missed, we all have that characteristic sometimes when things don't go the way we thought they would.

What impressed me the most about Ward is he was at times going punch for punch with probably the hardest puncher in boxing, Kovalev is a killer puncher and to see someone outfight him with skill is very impressive.

It was a great fight overall.

[j0zef]

Agree. I really thought that Kovalev will make all the necessary adjustments and win easily, instead he came in looking worse with no snap in his punches. Dude talked a lot of crap but wasn't ready to back any of it up.

Expected Kovalev to fight looser and be more aggressive while relying on his jab more, but he did exact opposite. He was fighting tight and his jabs weren't as good as first fight.

Ward came in stronger and with a better game plan. His occasional offensive flurries shocked Kovalev several times, and ended up hurting him.

In my mind that 4th round was absolutely masterful job by ward. Completely out classed Kovalev.

[Zaryu]

Good thread guys. From the moment I saw them warming up in their locker rooms, I could Ward was going to be on point that night. Still a close fight, and yes there some low blows and questionable referring, but Ward was pulling away at the same time Kovalev started to fade.

[SkillspayBills]

Well **** me I have to check if hell has frozen over. I think most of us agree the stoppage left a really bad taste in all of our mouths. Ward just seemed like a legit LHW in there as it pertains to strength, speed, and power. It was a great fight between two great fighters

[SplitSecond]

Lol @ he was lean, he was even buffer this time than he was last time.

[Graz]

Well said, thought Kovalev won the first too but can't say the same about this rematch. The ref was weak doe.

Agree. Ward was ahead on the cards before the foul and stoppage. We just don't know if Kovalev had enough left in the tank to pull it off. Tony Weeks saw to that.

[BoxingFan85]

I think going into the last round of the fight I had Ward up by one round.. Kovalev looked tired and mediocre at best.. Ward chinned him with the right that was a legit shot that hurt and Kovalev was any smart he should have taken a knee and got back.. Sure there were a couple of low blows but if the ref isn't giving it and you cannot stand you take a knee, get some time to recover..
I thought Kovalev won last time but Ward outdid Kovalev this time...

[BoxingFan85]

Agree. Ward was ahead on the cards before the foul and stoppage. We just don't know if Kovalev had enough left in the tank to pull it off. Tony Weeks saw to that.

Agree with this.. if you are complaining of a low blow and the ref isn't giving it take a damn knee and that 10secs might give you some time to recover..

[Hond]

Yeah, it seemed like Kovalev regressed from fight #1 to fight #2 for some reason. Some of it can be attributed to Ward having figured him out (which was apparent by the second half of the first fight) but honestly not all of it. Kovalev overpaced himself in the first couple of rounds which is a mistake he didn't make in the first fight. He fought at an unsustainable pace and resorted to 1-2s exclusively, like a LHW Wlad. I feel like the close score cards don't reflect the course of the fight at all. The difference in skill was pretty damn apparent.