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Rewatched the fight. Ward was the better man. Disappointed in Kovalev
Ok guys I have to keep it real. Ward really impressed me and I never thought I would say that as I've always been an ardent hater of Ward (due to his style NOT any other reason). I still believe Kovalev was the better man in the first fight, but in this fight Ward had him beat in many respects.
Ward's renewed right hand, body punching (apart from the low blows and kidney punches), upper body movement, superior conditioning and punch variety is what sealed the deal and differentiated him from Kovalev this time.
As well as that, I believe Ward has acclimated more to 175, his body looked less blown up and artificially built up to the weight, he was a lean, legit 175 pounder this time around.
I was disappointed with Kovalev's poor conditioning, lack of punch variety (where were the uppercuts like the first fight?), lack of body punching (because he had success in this fight and the last with his body attacks), and predictable 1,2, stab jab to the body. Also team Ward were clearly correct about Kov's bad habits. In the pre fight press conference he looked fat, and I feel like he lost too much weight too fast during camp. He didn't look strong or well conditioned at all.
What impressed me about Ward this time around:
Commitment to the body attack. - Ward knew this was Kov's weakness going into the fight and he didn't relent. Yes there were some low blows I didn't like, as well as kidney shots. Yes Ward could have arguably had points docked. And yes the stoppage came to soon, but on the whole, Ward's body work was the key for him, he recognised it and didn't stop digging to the body. Ultimately weakening Kovalev and getting the knockout.
Chin - Ward proved his chin in this fight and the last.
Punch variety - I like how Ward switched it up in this fight, coming out with a quick, whipping left hook and a straight right.
Right hand - Many have lamented Ward's lack of a right hand since his comeback, it was barely thrown in the first Kov fight, yet he landed multiple sharp stinging right hands in this fight, one of which staggered Kov bad.
Speed - Ward looked faster in this fight, maybe because he's better accustomed to the new weight.
Ward was sharp, best I've seen him in a while.
Ward's renewed right hand, body punching (apart from the low blows and kidney punches), upper body movement, superior conditioning and punch variety is what sealed the deal and differentiated him from Kovalev this time.
As well as that, I believe Ward has acclimated more to 175, his body looked less blown up and artificially built up to the weight, he was a lean, legit 175 pounder this time around.
I was disappointed with Kovalev's poor conditioning, lack of punch variety (where were the uppercuts like the first fight?), lack of body punching (because he had success in this fight and the last with his body attacks), and predictable 1,2, stab jab to the body. Also team Ward were clearly correct about Kov's bad habits. In the pre fight press conference he looked fat, and I feel like he lost too much weight too fast during camp. He didn't look strong or well conditioned at all.
What impressed me about Ward this time around:
Commitment to the body attack. - Ward knew this was Kov's weakness going into the fight and he didn't relent. Yes there were some low blows I didn't like, as well as kidney shots. Yes Ward could have arguably had points docked. And yes the stoppage came to soon, but on the whole, Ward's body work was the key for him, he recognised it and didn't stop digging to the body. Ultimately weakening Kovalev and getting the knockout.
Chin - Ward proved his chin in this fight and the last.
Punch variety - I like how Ward switched it up in this fight, coming out with a quick, whipping left hook and a straight right.
Right hand - Many have lamented Ward's lack of a right hand since his comeback, it was barely thrown in the first Kov fight, yet he landed multiple sharp stinging right hands in this fight, one of which staggered Kov bad.
Speed - Ward looked faster in this fight, maybe because he's better accustomed to the new weight.
Ward was sharp, best I've seen him in a while.
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