Comments Thread For: Kovalev's Coach Hopes Ward Won't Panic After Getting Rocked

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

John David Jackson, the head trainer for Sergey Kovalev, is hoping tonight's fight with Andre Ward will live up to the hype. Ward (30-0, 15KOs) will challenge Kovalev (30-0, 26KOs) for the IBF, WBO, WBA light heavyweight titles at the T-Mobile Arena.
[Click Here To Read More]

[hitking]

Jackson sounds like a damn fool. Of course Ward is gonna fight in a defensive manner. It gives him the best chance to win. Its up to Kovalev to force him outta his defensive shell. And the only way he'll do that is by having success. Because if Ward is having success being defensive, countering and pot shoting, he's gonna keep doing it until Sergey stops it.

People kill me with this, "fight living up to the hype" nonsense. The "hype" is that you have two of the bonafide best fighters in the world matching up. The "hype" isn't expecting to see some Worldstar street fight. And if Ward goes out there and outboxes Kovalev to a decisive decision that lacks fireworks, so be it.

[Redd Foxx]

His last line didn't make sense because Ward's defensive instincts are not to stay in place, they are to get in close, or just out of range. He's the last guy to stand still and block while someone tees off on him.

Regardless, Jackson is a good guy and seems to be a great coach. My concerns in the fight are the opposite, that if Kovalev gets hurt or frustrated, is he going to lose his focus, or is he going to listen to John and get down to business?
We know Andre doesn't get rattled, how about Sergey?

[hitking]

His last line didn't make sense because Ward's defensive instincts are not to stay in place, they are to get in close, or just out of range. He's the last guy to stand still and block while someone tees off on him.

Regardless, Jackson is a good guy and seems to be a great coach. My concerns in the fight are the opposite, that if Kovalev gets hurt or frustrated, is he going to lose his focus, or is he going to listen to John and get down to business?
We know Andre doesn't get rattled, how about Sergey?

I agree. Kovalev got very frustrated and even seemed a little unnerved in the Agnew fight because of the rough stuff on the inside. The heat butting, clinching, ect. That's why I thought Hopkins would have more success against Kovalev than he did. I think getting dropped as easily as he did in the opening round threw a monkey wrench in Hopkins entire game plan. But Kovalev surprised me with his boxing skills in that one.

To me, Kovalev is a skilled guy. But, his power enhances all of his skills. The fear of his power gives him the split second of hesitation he needs in order to make the rest of his game go. If Ward kinda takes that away from him, I'm curious to see how that plays out. If Kovalev is getting outboxed, will he look to make his own openings? Or? Will he sit back looking to land a perfect punch that will never materialize?

[Bronx2245]

Basically, Jackson hopes that Ward will not "box." He hopes that he "fights." Why? Because his guy is the better "fighter," but he knows that Ward is the better "boxer."

[Patsfan bri]

Hope Kovalev doesn't panic when he hits the deck in the 6th Rd.

[MDPopescu]

His last line didn't make sense because Ward's defensive instincts are not to stay in place, they are to get in close, or just out of range. He's the last guy to stand still and block while someone tees off on him.

Regardless, Jackson is a good guy and seems to be a great coach. My concerns in the fight are the opposite, that if Kovalev gets hurt or frustrated, is he going to lose his focus, or is he going to listen to John and get down to business?
We know Andre doesn't get rattled, how about Sergey?

... I wouldn't mind if Ward wins, but only in a manner which is similar to what Floyd did vs Canelo, for instance...

[Ake-Dawg]

Based on the type of comments coming from Jackson, I think he is very concerned that Kovalev will get outboxed.

[youbeight]

... I wouldn't mind if Ward wins, but only in a manner which is similar to what Floyd did vs Canelo, for instance...

from "ward will put out with an injury" to "ward better win clean" lmao

[MrClutch85]

Andre Ward puts winning over entertainment first so don't expect that to change tonight