Kovalev needs to fix his clinch game

[bigtyivier2k2]

Im surprised I havent seen this being mentioned but when he gets hurt he has no gameplan. Instead of trying to clinch he tries to go tow to toe and risk getting knocked out. Saw this in the 2nd Ward fight (which to be was bs cause of the low blows), First Alvarez fight and now vs Yarde. If he does this vs Canelo when hes hurt its night night

[Mindgames]

I think he looked like he lacked physical strength against Yarde, who, whatever hes limitations is a big strong guy. Ward also said hes a hard puncher but not physically strong. To me, he looks like someone who loses alot of muscle to make weight. I expect he knows how to clinch, its just he doesn't have the strength or energy to do it.

[MDPopescu]

I think he looked like he lacked physical strength against Yarde, who, whatever hes limitations is a big strong guy. Ward also said hes a hard puncher but not physically strong. To me, he looks like someone who loses alot of muscle to make weight. I expect he knows how to clinch, its just he doesn't have the strength or energy to do it.

... something like this ^^^...

(anyway: the "ex-Soviet school of boxing" was centered on the amateur rules -- where someone doesn't need too much clinching and wrestling skills)...

[Sweet Scions]

I think he looked like he lacked physical strength against Yarde, who, whatever hes limitations is a big strong guy. Ward also said hes a hard puncher but not physically strong. To me, he looks like someone who loses alot of muscle to make weight. I expect he knows how to clinch, its just he doesn't have the strength or energy to do it.

Ward definitely said that. He touched on the disparity between how easy he was to rag doll and his considerable punching power.

[Vlad_]

Ward definitely said that. He touched on the disparity between how easy he was to rag doll and his considerable punching power.

Ward said that, but where in their fights did Ward actually rag doll him? Same for Yarde. When they held, Kovalev was the one who moved forward and had the other back up, in either fights.

Ward is just an egotistical bitch who likes to talk to make himself look good.

[Sweet Scions]

Ward said that, but where in their fights did Ward actually rag doll him? Same for Yarde. When they held, Kovalev was the one who moved forward and had the other back up, in either fights.

Ward is just an egotistical bitch who likes to talk to make himself look good.

It didn't occur to me in the moment because I was only half focused on the commentary, but I thought about that afterward too. I don't remember actually seeing what he described; could definitely be somewhat "revisionist". Ward does love to talk into that microphone! Boy howdy

[Beercules]

Ward definitely said that. He touched on the disparity between how easy he was to rag doll and his considerable punching power.

Ward said this in an interview or on commentary ?


Can you share a link please ?

[Vlad_]

Ward said this in an interview or on commentary ?


Can you share a link please ?

He said it before the Yarde fight when talking with Bradley and the other guy at the table...

[Sweet Scions]

Ward said this in an interview or on commentary ?


Can you share a link please ?

It was during the commentary. I want to say some time around the midpoint but I'm not sure. If I come across it I'll link

[Vlad_]

It didn't occur to me in the moment because I was only half focused on the commentary, but I thought about that afterward too. I don't remember actually seeing what he described; could definitely be somewhat "revisionist". Ward does love to talk into that microphone! Boy howdy

Yeah, he certainly lacks humility. He calls himself Son of God, that’s a pretty big indicator of how highly he thinks of himself.