Comments Thread For: Andre Ward is Not Convinced Yarde is Ready For Sergey Kovalev

[Eff Pandas]

Yea no sh^t. Andre, all of boxing minus Yarde fanboys & most of Yarde's team probably feeling like that.

Thats what makes it sorta interesting doe. These fights between old lions & maybe young but unproven lions are often harder to consider & measure for that reason which often makes for a wider range in possible outcomes.

[Boxing_1013]

Not comparable whatsoever. Ward had already cleaned out super middleweight, beating Froch, Kessler, Abraham and then Dawson, who had just beat Hopkins.
He was also a gold medal amateur.
Yards has no experience of top level at either amateur or pro!

As I already pointed out to another poster:

yep not a complete apples to apples comparison...still stand by my point that moving up in weight after a long layoff/injuries to face the best and best puncher at 175...and fighting 2/3 guys who are not solid...it certainly didn't seem to help Ward much in his first fight with Kov...and that he in a way seems to be giving Yarde advice that he didn't really follow himself.

[Boxing_1013]

Not comparable whatsoever. Ward had already cleaned out super middleweight, beating Froch, Kessler, Abraham and then Dawson, who had just beat Hopkins.
He was also a gold medal amateur.
Yards has no experience of top level at either amateur or pro!

Also to further illustrate...after Dawson...Ward fought 4 times in 4 years...vs Edwin Rodriguez...Smith...Barrera and Brand...he was dealing with various injuries and inactivity...all of that was to prepare for a guy at a higher weight, who is the biggest puncher and probable best boxer you've ever faced.

My point was that it is ironic that he is, rightfully imo, questioning whether Yarde has taken the necessary steps to get ready for Kov...when Andre seemingly didn't take the right steps himself and it very possibly cost him those first 6 rounds and with that possibly cost him a legit victory.

[apollocreed]

As I already pointed out to another poster:

yep not a complete apples to apples comparison...still stand by my point that moving up in weight after a long layoff/injuries to face the best and best puncher at 175...and fighting 2/3 guys who are not solid...it certainly didn't seem to help Ward much in his first fight with Kov...and that he in a way seems to be giving Yarde advice that he didn't really follow himself.

I don’t agree it’s comparable at all really - fighting at the top level and unifying titles at the weight below, makes it totally different to going into his first world title fight with no big fight experience whatsoever.
Years of fighting at the top is experience in the bank, regardless of Ward’s inactivity.
This is all new to Yarde. He’s never even been hit by a puncher like Kovalev. No one knows if his chin is even solid.

[SteveM]

you have to take your opportunity in boxing you have a short shelf life so why not go for it , he might never get another shot at the title lots of fighter never in there entire career.

That's not true if you are with a decent promoter such as Warren. If you are good enough you'll get your chance because you'll beat other top ten contenders until you're the mandatory.

I believe the issue here is probably $$$. A lot of money is on offer from these Russian promoters and Warren and team Yarde are going for it. So .... "he might never get another shot at such a large payday" is closer to the mark

[_Rexy_]

"Ajayi, who also serves as Yarde's manager, clearly has supreme confidence in his untested 175-pounder. He insists they will not be bringing in any sparring partners to prepare for Kovalev, which has certainly raised eyebrows."


wait...what the ****?

[Boxing_1013]

I don’t agree it’s comparable at all really - fighting at the top level and unifying titles at the weight below, makes it totally different to going into his first world title fight with no big fight experience whatsoever.
Years of fighting at the top is experience in the bank, regardless of Ward’s inactivity.
This is all new to Yarde. He’s never even been hit by a puncher like Kovalev. No one knows if his chin is even solid.

Yeah honestly I don't really see the difficulty here lol...Ward was saying Yarde wasn't prepared yet for Kov...I think he is probably right.

I also think Ward didn't really tune up properly before Kov and wasn't fully prepared for that challenge himself...one largely was unprepared due to inexperience, one largely with inactivity and injury...and then not tuning up properly...he tried to prepare for Kov with Brand, Smith, Barrera (good fight) and Rodriguez...just a poor decision imo.

[Clegg]

Yarde doesn't spar much?

[redmish]

The only one risking anything is Kovalev. If Yarde comes up short he can learn from it and come again, if Kovalev gets beat, it could be the end.

[VatoMulatto]

He never fought anyone close to Kovalev's level and has not put on any kind of performance in his career that would suggest he can beat Kovalev. However, it's boxing and we don't know unless they fight.

I'm looking forward to this match-up. Yarde needs to step his game up prove he belongs at the highest level.