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There was genuine controversy after Ward was given a unanimous decision -- 114-113 on all three scorecards -- and three world-title belts following an excellent fight with Kovalev in November. The reason was because in the eyes of most observers Kovalev was the rightful winner of the fight, even had he not dropped Ward in the second round.
But the so-called controversy of their rematch is nothing more than a manufactured excuse by Kovalev, 34, who is from Russia and fights out of Los Angeles, and his team for supposed low blows that were the final punches Ward threw. In fact, while there may have been a shot or two during the bout that strayed low, none appeared on to be on purpose and, in fact, some were on the beltline area that referee Tony Weeks physically showed was legal during the pre-fight instructions.
What really happened here was that Ward, who was ahead 67-66 on two scorecards and down 68-65 on the third at the time of the stoppage of a rough-and-tumble fight, broke Kovalev mentally and physically. The end really began when Ward crushed the "Krusher" with probably the best right hand he has ever landed earlier in the eighth round. The shot badly wobbled Kovalev, whose legs nearly gave out on him. From there, Ward continued to pound Kovalev, who backed into the ropes, bent over and took three more body shots. He was done and Weeks stepped in at 2 minutes, off 29 seconds to give Ward a huge victory. Kovalev never complained to Weeks about the stoppage, a clear sign that it was legit. Ward, not known as a KO puncher, did outstanding body work throughout the fight, including landing 10 among the 20 total punches he landed in the eighth round, according to CompuBox statistics. Kovalev and his team complained bitterly about the decision after the first fight and Ward, 33, of Oakland, California, did too about not getting credit for the win. The rematch was named "No Excuses." So nobody wants to hear any from Team Kovalev.
http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_...ically-tko-win
But the so-called controversy of their rematch is nothing more than a manufactured excuse by Kovalev, 34, who is from Russia and fights out of Los Angeles, and his team for supposed low blows that were the final punches Ward threw. In fact, while there may have been a shot or two during the bout that strayed low, none appeared on to be on purpose and, in fact, some were on the beltline area that referee Tony Weeks physically showed was legal during the pre-fight instructions.
What really happened here was that Ward, who was ahead 67-66 on two scorecards and down 68-65 on the third at the time of the stoppage of a rough-and-tumble fight, broke Kovalev mentally and physically. The end really began when Ward crushed the "Krusher" with probably the best right hand he has ever landed earlier in the eighth round. The shot badly wobbled Kovalev, whose legs nearly gave out on him. From there, Ward continued to pound Kovalev, who backed into the ropes, bent over and took three more body shots. He was done and Weeks stepped in at 2 minutes, off 29 seconds to give Ward a huge victory. Kovalev never complained to Weeks about the stoppage, a clear sign that it was legit. Ward, not known as a KO puncher, did outstanding body work throughout the fight, including landing 10 among the 20 total punches he landed in the eighth round, according to CompuBox statistics. Kovalev and his team complained bitterly about the decision after the first fight and Ward, 33, of Oakland, California, did too about not getting credit for the win. The rematch was named "No Excuses." So nobody wants to hear any from Team Kovalev.
http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_...ically-tko-win
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