What would've happened if Weeks DIDN'T stop the fight?

[HarvardBlue]

How was Kovalev going to recover in 5 minutes when he had been fading since the 3rd round?

How was Ward able to land that lead right hand? Kovalev's fatigue was becoming a defensive liability. He was moving slow and couldn't do any thing to stop Ward's offense at the time of the stoppage. You don't sit on the ropes if you have fresh legs.

Kovalev would've been stopped anyway so Weeks gave his fans something to hold on to for all this time.

[DuckAdonis]

Ward would have won a close, but this time deserved, decision

[lolpz]

He would've gotten stopped regardless, possibly even just beaten down badly which is even worse.

[lolpz]

Ward would have won a close, but this time deserved, decision

Kov was fading badly and Ward was up this time with like 5 rounds to go. No way it would've been close.

[Graz]

Ward would have still won their 2nd fight. Kovalev was clearly gassed out and was unable to recover from the fouls. It’s not Ward’s fault that Weeks let him get away with it. I think Ward’s strength is not only his pure boxing skill, it’s his intelligence. Andre is clever and he knows how to win. I also think Kovalev’s demeanor and anger towards Ward hurt him from the start. He’s not as intelligent as Ward and he relied too much on his strength and not his stamina.

[SplitSecond]

No one knows. Fighters recover. Kovalev has that power, he was gassed and hurt Ward to the body in the final round in the first fight. You just don't know what happens. Plenty of times a fighter has looked gone only to find a second wind and come back.

[DuckAdonis]

Kov was fading badly and Ward was up this time with like 5 rounds to go. No way it would've been close.

It was already close on the official cards...so like 116-112 for Ward...if that is considered close.