Ward is pretty good at calling out small guys or dragging to his weigh. He has no business in SMW. He should call out Kovalev. He is the Only american hope left.
Ward is a bum compared to Kovalev/GGG. There are more exciting fights. He would get knocked out within 3 rounds.
Would be a great fight. Seems like Ward, despite his young age, is already not he fighter he once was. I doubt he is going to sign to fight Kovalev.
Ward would bend down below the waist more than Hop did. Kovalev would HAVE to work on feinting his hard overhand shots and trade them in for short hooks and hookercuts on the inside; primarily with his left hand whilst moving to his left to create the angle to land those shots as Ward would be leaned and bent over to his right hand side.
This will be devasting for Andre Ward, fair enough he is a quicker stronger and more refined offensive fighter than BHOP, But he wont carry any punch resistance to 175, good enough to eat punches like bhop did..
Look. Both GGG and Kovalev have tremendous power. Any fighter facing them will think twice before throwing something. Add to this hey both have very good boxing skills, patience, footwork. If Ward fights Kovalev, it will be a 12-0 or KO in favor of Krusher. The same goes for Money vs GGG.
Ward is definitely not a bum. That said, Kovalev made a believer of me, he's not some slugging brute, that guy can box. Ward Kovalev would be a awesome fight.
I think Ward probably wins this depending if he can take a short or not, imagine a B-Hop but younger, more active, miles faster. However, Hopkins does have a good chin and with Ward, that's a bit questionable, Kovalev will land there's no doubt about that it depends if Ward can take it or not that decides who wins this fight IMO.
Kovalev would stop Ward, rather easily I think. Hopkins fought to survive, that was the victory he was after. Ward has no where near the skill of Hopkins, and will get tagged, and KTFO. But, it will never happen of course cause Ward is retired.
I still think ward is too crafty for kovalev. Would be a competitive fight, but not one in which one would see kovalev landing many power shots IMO.