He couldn't KO Hopkins because after the first right hand that landed and knocked him down he ran the rest of the fight and lost every single round. Same would happen to Ward if he ran. If Ward tries to use his clinching and grabbing style he will get KOed. Brutally.
True and it appeared when Kovalev was comfortable he was happy to let Hopkins finish on his feet, until the last round when Hopkins stuck his tounge out and made Kovalev angry then he beat him around for a minute and half like a wet lettuce. I don't think at any point with Ward, after probably having to give in to all his diva demands Kovalev will want to let him finish on his feet.
The point is, he OUTBOXED Hopkins...easily. That is impressive. Bernard's chin is better than Wards is, that is a fact. It's people like you that think Kovalev is just a KO artist that don't get it. Style wise it isn't a great matchup for Ward. I would be thoroughly impressed if Ward could beat him. I think Kov's chin is soft too so Ward could actually hurt him.
Ugh this again. "He outboxed hopkins." Hopkins wasnt boxing he was doing exactly F.KALL throwing about 2 punches a round. Crazy to now start talking about Kov being some slickster because he 'outboxed' hopkins who wasnt fighting back at all. smfh.
elite master boxer will always beat an elite master puncher everyone said the same thing about Lucas M and Danny Garcia
I'd like wards chances a lot more if the reach was the same or he had the edge but he doesn't. This is a very tough fight for ward kovalev has a great jab and has underrated boxing abilty a pick em fight to be honest.
What'd you think of his performance yesterday? Limited opponent, sure but I thought his boxing was excellent, he doesn't even look like a puncher type guy the way he boxes, he's actually just a good boxer.
Kovalev has actually got a good trainer who is teaching him how to box. He looks better each time out. He was just a heavy hitter when he first showed up.
I actually think he has looked sloppier and less disciplined in each of his last 2 fights compared to how he looked against Hopkins. Maybe that's because he had more respect for Hopkins? Whatever the case, he's made some mistakes that he didn't make against Hopkins last 2 outings. It made no difference, but against Pascal in particular, I think Kovalev could have had an easier time of things had he stayed more focused on using his outstanding jab.
In my opinion, Kovalev hits too hard and would put a lot of pressure on Ward. I also think that Kovalev is a awkard fighter, like his power jab for example after he has thrown a 1-2. I think he woukd trouble ward
this......and its exactly what will happen because that's what you have to do with fighters like Kovalev