Get real, lets not act like Ward is actually better than Kovalev

[A.K]

Andre wards dirty tactics are unmatched they are world level who else can pull off a headbut and low blow at the same time and not even get warned for it? Have you seen him Wrestling during boxing too? He’s smooth with the hold !

[sammi]

Body shots were boarder line
Fight shouldn’t have been stopped on body shots
However ward had him on ***** Street with the over hand right
Body langue was kov was looking for a way out and got it
Ward is the better fighter give him his dues!

[sunny31]

They are very evenly matched and the plus to each other's negative. Neither is able to completely dominate the other. I do think Ward was past his best though, injuries and inactivity took a toll on him, he didn't have run of the mill injuries, he had career threatening serious injuries.

With that said, you can only judge the fighters who were in the ring. I thought Kovalev edged the first fight, but Ward had learned from it. That played out in the second fight, which Kovalev again jumped out to a good start, but not nearly to the same extent as the first fight. Ward was locked in, and was landing good shots even in the rounds he lost.

The finish was completely unsatisfactory, no matter what side you are on. It was not the conclusion the rivalry deserved.

Considering the way Kovalev looked before the stoppage, their respective careers, what they achieved, and considering Ward is naturally the smaller man,etc. I think most people will have him as the superior fighter now and in a historical context. Kovalev will be judged a lot by how he reacts and what he does from now.

[ramses07]

i had kovalev winning by a close margin in second fight

but you could tell ward was mentally stronger that fight, and had better conditioning. he wasnt afraid of kov's power anymore

[Eubankjr]

Agree, a 3rd fight would be another 50/50 affair.

[Sun_Tzu]

Pretty evenly matched fighters in my opinion. I thought Kovalev won the first fight and the second one had a crap ending imo but I think Ward was coming on and Kovalev was deteriorating fast at the point of the stoppage. In the end the record books will say two wins for Ward which isn't a big deal imo, he could have two loses to Isaac Chilemba or Pasquale. He has time to rebound and get the belts back if he is dedicated to it. If nothing else we will see some good fights as he tries to.

[j.razor]

I say skill wise thye about the same just ward is more mentally stronger than kovalev.

You can't say the same in skill wise at ALL. kovalev is good at range & has a good right. Andre has more tools (inside & outside) to his game AND has the grit kovalev don't have.

[j.razor]

They are very evenly matched and the plus to each other's negative. Neither is able to completely dominate the other. I do think Ward was past his best though, injuries and inactivity took a toll on him, he didn't have run of the mill injuries, he had career threatening serious injuries.

With that said, you can only judge the fighters who were in the ring. I thought Kovalev edged the first fight, but Ward had learned from it. That played out in the second fight, which Kovalev again jumped out to a good start, but not nearly to the same extent as the first fight. Ward was locked in, and was landing good shots even in the rounds he lost.

The finish was completely unsatisfactory, no matter what side you are on. It was not the conclusion the rivalry deserved.

Considering the way Kovalev looked before the stoppage, their respective careers, what they achieved, and considering Ward is naturally the smaller man,etc. I think most people will have him as the superior fighter now and in a historical context. Kovalev will be judged a lot by how he reacts and what he does from now.

kovalev is a beat & damaged fighter from Andre, it wasn't close, we know who got his a*s handed to him. Badou Jack will end up fighting kovalev in about two fights. Let's see how that one plays out, I can't wait.

[j.razor]

i had kovalev winning by a close margin in second fight

but you could tell ward was mentally stronger that fight, and had better conditioning. he wasnt afraid of kov's power anymore

I had Andre winning BOTH fights.

[j.razor]

Agree, a 3rd fight would be another 50/50 affair.

You out your mind! That's more like wishful thinking.