In fairness pascal lost two fights in a row before tonight he got a gift in his last fight and I called for him to call it a day after his last fight. There was no reason for this rematch everyone already knew kovalev would kill him.
pascal and ward have nothing in common, tonight's fight showed absolutely nothing about how a fight between kov and ward would go.
Weird how most in the boxing world think it's going to be a great fight but the geniuses on this forum think it's going to be easy work for kovalev
Ward has a decent chance. He has the skills to get past anyone's jab, even Kov's. I can see him getting smacked on the top and back of the head a lot though. While Pascal was sort of live, Kov was a bit sloppy at times. Reaching a lot. Off balance occasionally. Honestly I don't think Krusher's performance will have worried him too much.
Let's wait to see Ward next fight before we make a prediction nobody knows what he got left he's fighting a young lion next.
Based on Jean Pascal losing? Ward is a totally different fighter and a much more defensively sound fighter.
it showed kovalevs level though, every punch he throws hurts. kovalev vs ward with a fair referee is only one outcome imo but I do think its a close fight
The one thing that Ward does well is use the jab and clinch, and Kov has never seen that type of fighter. Ward lacks a natural right hand and that is why I don't think that he can beat Kov. But I wouldn't count him out because of his amateur pedigree and the fact that he is coming up in weight. Beterbiev is a tough customer as well and I only would give Kov a tough fight too.
Kovalev looks to be in peak form. He looked well prepared to handle business tonight. I think he should open as a significant favorite whenever the fight comes off based on styles. The Krusher presents some major strengths in his game that we haven't seen Ward up against, even without factoring in both Ward's inactivity and his recent move up to the LHW division.
Ward will announce that he is creating his own 172lb division since its obvious there is no one that can best him at 168 or 175 I don't believe he will ever step in the ring with Kov. Much easier to go to court than to take this fight
I wasnt all that impressed with Ward vs Smith, to me he looked lethargic and slower. He had a similar lay off for Rodriguez whose a better fighter and he was much quicker and sharper only hindered by Rodriguez tactics I will hold my opinion til I see Ward vs Barrera (if it occurs) but at this very moment I favor Kovalev and maybe by stoppage...This isnt in the heat of the moment because I felt its 50/50 to 60/40 Kovalev before now. Ward can win if: left hook: Pascal managed to get in a few of these and Ward's is among the active best. Maybe switch stances to confuse Kovalev Take away the jab Get the fight inside, Kovalev likes to keep room to land his shots. Ward can be very effective in close