Ward vs Kovalev - whos the favorite

Sure thing but that does not negate the fact that Kovalev outworked Hopkins instead of outsmarting him. Kovalev's boxing IQ is nowhere near the level of a Bernard Hopkins. Lets cut the sheet. Go look at some of the JDJ interviews prior to the Hopkins fight. He goes on and on about how Hopkins is an "old man". If Kovalev is so adept at "outsmarting" Hopkins then why did the Ole' Man have Kovalev swinging at air all night? Kovalev is a puncher - not a master boxer...

 

I think Kovalev was able to outbox Hopkins because Hopkins tasted his power early and became a little gun shy. Then Hopkins took less chances that he usual does, making it easier for Kovalev to dictate the fight.

Not taking anything away for Kovalev, but like you said, Hopkins was 50.

 

Still not admitting that you were wrong on the outcome of the fight are you kid!

Fact is Hopkins was the one being defensive and missing with hus punches all night and yes he WAS out boxed by Kovalev. We now a man like you cannot stomach this fact hence your bulls hit no nothing post.

 

Barrera isn't Kovalev and Ward will have to fight better than he did at the weekend to beat him.

Imo I think Kovalev will win. Although it is a close fight and wouldn't be suprised if Ward does win as they are both elite fighters.

 

That's not what I was referencing... see: "If the fight is in Oakland" from CJ's comment.

 

Agree, re: Krusher, as I said in an earlier post, he's better defensively than a lot of power punchers active today, including the casuals favourite whose name I shall not mention to save my computer's 'G' key.

And he's got a very good jab and decent feet, not in terms of speed but in cutting off the ring. He's a little one-paced though and doesn't seem to have gears to go through. But like you, I'm not gonna call this fight with any certainty.

That's why it's the fight I most want to see within the next 12 months. I do think we might have to wait until early 2017 though.

 

Kovalevs skill/work rate paired with his punching power will be to much for Ward

 

Totally agree, the fight is decided on if Ward can evade the power punches and/or smother them enough to be able to land his own shots with confidence. He's faster than Hopkins and I would argue probably stronger too (people underestimate Ward's strength). Add 'younger' into the mix and we might have the fine line which makes the difference between Krusher dominating Hopkins and Ward beating Kovalev.

 

At LHW, the favorite would have to be Kovalev.

 

If in fact Ward decided to use that tactic of fighting fire with fire, problem is Wards strengths lie within his ability to fight fire with water the real question is how much water will he bring. Kovalev's real advantage here is the pre fight training and blue print he doesn't have to change much in terms of his approach while Ward will require a lot more project planning and precise execution both are high level operators can't wait to see this one

 

I think Ward has the skills to outbox Kovalev, to me it comes down to how well he can handle Kovalev's power.

 

As of right now Kovalev. He isn't as flat footed nor slow as Barrera and hits harder. If Ward fights another fight before Kovalev and he knocks the ring rust off then Ward will be the favorite. Ward DOES have the ability to beat Kovalev.

 

My bad, I apologise.

 

This a good thread, nice to see a real discussion about boxing.