"SOG" Ward vs "King" Krusher Kovalev @ 175 lbs / 12.5 stone: Who wins?

[kafkod]

Though I don't see it being likely, I do feel it's a possibility. Reason being, when great fighters hit a wall, they hit hard. We've seen many undefeated fighters get stumped> frustrated> tired> then susceptible to being finished.

I was expecting Kovalev to be cooking up a brilliant gameplan that might neutralise Ward but after seeing the JDJ interviews, I'm leaning toward Ward even heavier. Kovalev is going to go with what always worked for him, and when that's not enough, he's going to hit that wall. Not to over simplify Kovalev, because he is a smart fighter, but that's the difference between these two; one is a hammer and the other is a Swiss army knife.

A hammer implies crudity, and Kovalev isn't crude. I see him more as a swordsman than a hammer wielding thug. And if I was fighting a duel, I'd much rather have a rapier in my hand than a Swiss army knife.

[kafkod]

By saying that I don't see this fight reaching a "decision" after 12 rounds into the ring may also mean that Ward would be able to "sink" the fight into a ND or whatever...

I really hope not. I want to see this argument settled decisively, and without any controversy.

[MDPopescu]

I really hope not. I want to see this argument settled decisively, and without any controversy.

I never use to make resolute predictions, because it doesn't always happen what is "normally" expected to happen... (... remember, for instance, that "shadow punch" which closed Lucas' eye in the Garcia fight)... On another hand in case "the argument isn't settled decisively" they could milk much more money in a rematch... who knows?

[SUBZER0ED]

I never use to make resolute predictions, because it doesn't always happen what is "normally" expected to happen... (... remember, for instance, that "shadow punch" which closed Lucas' eye in the Garcia fight)... On another hand in case "the argument isn't settled decisively" they could milk much more money in a rematch... who knows?

I saw that punch in the replay. It wasn't a shadow punch, but more like a freak accident. Garcia threw a right, which raked across Matthysse's right eye. Normally, a right hand punch would land on the left side of the opponent's face or body.

[Drunken Cat]

Interestingly bleacher report are picking SK via decision. They usually go with US fighters..

So, why Kovalev and not Ward?

The one thing that we keep coming back to is that Ward just hasn't been in the ring with this level of opponent in such a long time. Hell, he's never been in there with a vicious puncher with the mean streak of Kovalev.

Carl Froch is a pretty mean puncher whom Ward has fought, and Ward outboxed the **** out of him.

Kovalev had his share of struggles against Chilemba, who was picked specifically for a style that somewhat approximates Ward's. But Kovalev will bring those lessons with him on fight night and outmuscle Ward on the inside, force him to distance and carry the fight with his power.

Yeah right, there's nothing Kovalev could've learned from Chilemba which will help prepare him for Ward.

Moreover, Ward is not easily outmuscled; he is a strong dude and he outmuscles the people he fight. I don't know if he'll outmuscle Kovalev, but I don't see him being a push over in the physical department opposite Kovalev, one bit.

Ironically, Kovalev was fighting at middleweight in the amateurs, at the same time Ward was fighting at light heavyweight (178 in amateur boxing).

Ward beat Clemente Russo on his way to the gold medal, Russo went on to become a 2x world champion, and 2008 Olympian, at heavyweight (201).

Both guys are 6'0 and Kovalev as 1.5 inches of reach on Ward.

Size wise they are pretty even. Weight classes aren't a mythical thing, in this case they are mostly just different fields of competition. They weight changes the styles and tactics a little, but Ward has been at 168 basically all along, before moving up now; he use to squeeze down to 160 but that was probably a tough cut and he moved up before long (the Boone knockdown was at middleweight).

Kovalev was an amateur middleweight at the same time Ward turned pro as a middleweight (it in fact took him a few fights to get down).

I don't buy their logic at all. I'm pretty damn confident in Ward.

[MDPopescu]

I saw that punch in the replay. It wasn't a shadow punch, but more like a freak accident. Garcia threw a right, which raked across Matthysse's right eye. Normally, a right hand punch would land on the left side of the opponent's face or body.

... by "shadow punch" I meant "a freak accident"...

[Froch_uppercut]

I was fairly certain Ward would win it easily, but after that last performance, Im not so sure now. I cant tell if it was just rust or if he has slowed down due to age.

It's neither rust nor age - he's just been hyped quite a lot and somehow elevated from his true status of 'good' to this unearned status of 'legendary'.

Kovalev will destroy this cherry picking fool. Hopefully he then returns to 168 where GGG awaits and retires him.

[Bushidō]

Ward by close but clear decision.

[slow_ek9]

Ward by TKO 11

[The Hammer]

I wish they'd hurry up announce the officials so I can place a bet on the fight.

Ward is tricky with his illegal tactics. He'll win a decision if he has a crooked referee to protect him and allow him to head butt and clamp Kovalev's arms, and crooked judges to score the rounds for him.

With honest officials, I'm very confident Kovalev wins, perhaps by KO/TKO.