Kovalev v Ward Discussion thread

walshb

willmunny1990 wrote: »

Can this be gotten through virgin media?

It's Sky Sports, and it's not PPV. I assume Virgin Media would have it.

megadodge

Despite the fact that this is a great matchup, I strongly suspect it won't actually be a good fight. This will mainly be due to Ward.

I actually like him as a person, he comes across as a genuinely decent individual, but I truly hate watching him box. And there are very few boxers I say that about!

However, that doesn't mean I don't appreciate his effectiveness. He is an out and out winner. He doesn't care about entertaining, he just adapts to whatever is put in front of him and beats it.

I certainly underestimated Kovalev for long enough, so if he wins tomorrow he'll be just continuing a trend. As for his style, he is an out an out outside fighter. He is a very straight puncher, with very few hooks or uppercuts, so he obviously likes to keep his distance. He really doesn't fight on the inside at all and I think this is the key to victory for Ward.

Ward is very, very smart, but is also a very rough and tough customer on the inside. Virtually all his opponents have commented on his physical strength on the inside, but I think it's his body positioning and little holds and subtle techniques that give this impression. I'm fairly sure he'll spend as much of this match on the inside as possible. When there he is vastly superior to Kovalev and will frustrate the Russian and chip away round after round. This then leaves the whole 'can he avoid getting hit on the way in' factor. I think he can. He's very, very slippery and has good feet. Kovalev's excellent timing is what makes it interesting. Can his accuracy nail Ward and if he can does Ward have the chin to take it?

I think Ward won't get hit too often and anything he gets hit with, he'll cope with while chipping away to an ugly but clear decision.

walshb

If there is a TKO I strongly suspect SK scores it. It wouldn't surprise me if he nails Ward clean and really hurts him.

Diddley Squat

great detailed breakdown guys ......

Ward will be throwing that headbutt getting inside , I can see some controversy if it ends up a tight decision.

Strangely - the purse breakdown goes :
Ward $ 5,000,000 - Kovalev $2,000,000

Surely Kovalev is the draw here? As good as Ward is, he couldn't fill Ron Black's outside of Oakland.

The live weigh in is starting very soon ( 10.30 Friday night Irish time)

Henno30

megadodge wrote: »

Despite the fact that this is a great matchup, I strongly suspect it won't actually be a good fight. This will mainly be due to Ward.

I actually like him as a person, he comes across as a genuinely decent individual, but I truly hate watching him box. And there are very few boxers I say that about!

However, that doesn't mean I don't appreciate his effectiveness. He is an out and out winner. He doesn't care about entertaining, he just adapts to whatever is put in front of him and beats it.

I certainly underestimated Kovalev for long enough, so if he wins tomorrow he'll be just continuing a trend. As for his style, he is an out an out outside fighter. He is a very straight puncher, with very few hooks or uppercuts, so he obviously likes to keep his distance. He really doesn't fight on the inside at all and I think this is the key to victory for Ward.

Ward is very, very smart, but is also a very rough and tough customer on the inside. Virtually all his opponents have commented on his physical strength on the inside, but I think it's his body positioning and little holds and subtle techniques that give this impression. I'm fairly sure he'll spend as much of this match on the inside as possible. When there he is vastly superior to Kovalev and will frustrate the Russian and chip away round after round. This then leaves the whole 'can he avoid getting hit on the way in' factor. I think he can. He's very, very slippery and has good feet. Kovalev's excellent timing is what makes it interesting. Can his accuracy nail Ward and if he can does Ward have the chin to take it?

I think Ward won't get hit too often and anything he gets hit with, he'll cope with while chipping away to an ugly but clear decision.

I'd love to disagree with you but honestly that's how I see it going too.

Diddley Squat

It could be boring if Ward dictates the fight , but Kovalev is a master of distance control.
Kovalev has a great 'step-back and counter' which will come in very handy as Ward tries to close the distance and fight inside.

Anybody know who the ref is for this one ?

walshb

Btw, anyone eager to see this that has not got Sky Sports, you can purchase a Sky Sports day pass for ten euro.

DylanAFC

Robert Byrd, reffed Canelo Cotto last year.

Burial.

Both 175 on the dot, both looked in good nick and both looked relaxed, especially Ward who couldn't have been any cooler. Nice little staredown too. It's actually happening!

Dick phelan

Ward probably getting more because he has a massive guarantee from Roc Nation, Also that's only the base purse perhaps Kovalev is getting more of the PPV share. Can't wait for this fight no outcome would surprise me outside maybe an early Ward KO, Going with Kovalev late stoppage think Ward isn't the same fighter he was in the super six and it's hist first test at 175 some of the advantages he had at 168 he doesn't have at LHW.

Diddley Squat

Ward actually slightly taller when they faced off ...... i was surprised at that.

Ward's 6th time fighting at this weight ? there wont be anything he hasnt previously experienced.

Has Ward been previously knocked down in a fight?
I think Kovalev will score plenty of clean shots - but how does Ward stand up to this?
Certainly never faced this kind of power yet. Just watching Ward Dawson on youtube now. It was nearly 5 years ago but I doubt he's degraded since.
Rush and punch style

Diddley Squat

Dick phelan wrote: »

Ward probably getting more because he has a massive guarantee from Roc Nation, Also that's only the base purse perhaps Kovalev is getting more of the PPV share. Can't wait for this fight no outcome would surprise me outside maybe an early Ward KO, .......................and it's hist first test at 175 some of the advantages he had at 168 he doesn't have at LHW.

Well, a complete opposite to what I was thinking. But valid opinion never the less.

I know we don't have details of PPV share , but you would expect it to be dived in a similar fashion or else why would they split the purse in this manner?

Ward can't KO Kovalev , thats just not happening. SK has been knocked down a good few times but never 'hurt' in a way that might see him being KO'd.

KOvalev starts the fight busier , Ward wont do a lot for 3 or 4 rounds in my opinion. It is a step up for Ward, even though he's fought good opponents in his time. This is a potential P4P championship fight (GGG aside)

I will be betting on this tomorrow, hoping Kovalev moves even further in to the underdog zone.
I know both of their styles , both of their pro's and con's but as you indicate it could still be very unpredictable.
Doing as much detailed analysis as possible before I part with the money

Great thread so far - plenty of good opinions and knowledge on display

Cheers guys

Burial.

I actually think Ward will start fast. It's expected Kovalev will apply the pressure early and Ward will then make the adjustments but I think the opposite will happen. Ward will try and jab and potshot Kovalev to death for three of four rounds and build a decent lead. Kovalev will have a sense of urgency and take more risks realising he will probably need KDs which will ultimately benefit Ward who can pick him off with ease. Ward has to start fast for me if I was in his corner. You cannot let someone like Kovalev set an early pace who'll just pulverise you when you're fighting at his tempo. Johnny Nelson is being typical Johnny Nelson and saying Ward will stop Kovalev which is a bizarre prediction but it's not too mental either. Kovalev seems incensed on getting the KO tomorrow and Jackson is the same. I think that could cost them dearly.

Burial.

Really enjoyed this breakdown video and hard to argue with it

Henno30

Burial. wrote: »

I actually think Ward will start fast. It's expected Kovalev will apply the pressure early and Ward will then make the adjustments but I think the opposite will happen. Ward will try and jab and potshot Kovalev to death for three of four rounds and build a decent lead. Kovalev will have a sense of urgency and take more risks realising he will probably need KDs which will ultimately benefit Ward who can pick him off with ease. Ward has to start fast for me if I was in his corner. You cannot let someone like Kovalev set an early pace who'll just pulverise you when you're fighting at his tempo. Johnny Nelson is being typical Johnny Nelson and saying Ward will stop Kovalev which is a bizarre prediction but it's not too mental either. Kovalev seems incensed on getting the KO tomorrow and Jackson is the same. I think that could cost them dearly.

Interestingly, Kovalev did not attempt to set a fast a pace against Hopkins, a fight in which you would think it was easier to do so. He was very content to just stay on the outside and use his jab to probe for openings.

Ward does tend to start fast in big fights alright. The way in which he set the tone in the opening round of the Froch fight was hugely impressive. Demolished any notions Froch might have had about being the bully.

Froch is no Kovalev though. He's an effective but crude fighter who had nowhere near the handspeed or technique of Kovalev. What he had is durability and on that count I would question Kovalev's ability to hold it together for 12 rounds in the face of Ward's stifling tactics.

walshb

I think we all can see and appreciate SKs boxing ability. But I have a sneaky feeling come tomorrow we may have an even greater appreciation for his boxing ability and ring generalship.

Could it be SKs use of distance and range, as well as his well timed and put together power punches that wins this? Fascinating encounter with so much variances.

SHOVELLER

Weigh in was down for 2.30 but with traffic on the strip plus just missing the bus I had given up on it by time I got there at 3.15. But thought I'd go along and get the end of it. Never been to a weigh in before so imagine my surprise to find it hadnt even started!

The golden voice of Michael Buffer lent that authenticity to it in the same arena Pacquiao fought here last time.

Both fighters as expected on the nail:








Then the stare down with no handshake after. Cant decide if they are trying to sell more tickets or if it's genuine but there seemed to be a wee bit of frisson in the air.





Then everyone left as they had come in to see the weigh in but then got down closer to see the brief interviews by some british guy. Kovalev revelling in the atmosphere said he would knock down Ward:













On the undercard Claressa Shields who showed off her 2 Olympic golds:





Got to shake her hand after and also Paulie Malignaggi!

Burial.

Enjoy the fight! Looking forward to the fight night pics! Thanks for sharing as always

CatFromHue

Is there a rehydration clause in boxing or why is it that in the UFC the guys cut 20-30lbs and then just rehydrate right back up?

Or do they do this in boxing too?

Halloween Jack

CatFromHue wrote: »

Is there a rehydration clause in boxing or why is it that in the UFC the guys cut 20-30lbs and then just rehydrate right back up?

Or do they do this in boxing too?

........

walshb

CatFromHue wrote: »

Is there a rehydration clause in boxing or why is it that in the UFC the guys cut 20-30lbs and then just rehydrate right back up?

Or do they do this in boxing too?

There can be clauses on the amount the fighters are allowed to rehydrate to on fight night before penalties/fines are imposed. All depends on the promotion and agreements/contracts made.

walshb

Handy win for Shields... the colonel doing commentary. Time to mute.

Morrison J

Awful undercard not helping my heavy eyelids.

Diddley Squat

Morrison J

Every week we're given another reminder of how disgustingly corrupt this sport is. Robert Hoyle needs investigating ffs.

blade1

Sky coverage is scheduled to finish at 5am.:eek:
They better not switch if off half way through!:mad:

Morrison J

Other famous lobsided Hoyle scorecards.

McDonnell-Solis, Selby-Montiel, Oquendo-Gonzalez, Barthelemy-Shafikov, Kono-Kameda, Vasquez-Bey

Why hasn't he been investigated? Horrific corruption.

walshb

SK looks the boss.

darced

This post has been deleted.

walshb

Close rds but finding it difficult to score rds for Ward.