His last tune up? absolute last? 100% last? No more? Nathan Cleverly is not the sort of fight you need if you are going in with Kovalev next. It's actually pointless. I predict Ward gets an "injury" either during or after Cleverly is out for months and needs another one ne or two tune ups :good
Clev walks right through him. I was in the car with him earlier and he forced his way past another car, glaring at the opposing driver striking fear into his soul. Turns out it was Clev's right of way.
I like this fight, I think Cleverly will be tough as hell for Ward, stylistically way more problematic than most seem to think.
I dont mind it really. The Kovalev fight is the one we are waiting for. He faced a heavy handed brawler type last time out, this time he is facing more of a Boxer type. If Ward wanted 2 tune ups before facing a monster i think he has picked them very well and neither of them can be labelled bums. Dont forget they are just tune ups.
I don't think he's selecting a tune up to prepare him stylistically for Kovalev. I think he's trying to stay active so he can be sharp and his reflexes on point. His performance wasn't where he wanted it vs Barrera; if I felt that way, I'd get another tuneup before facing Kovalev as well. Kovalev will be his best opponent to date, and vice versa. He needs another fight to get his rhythm, timing, and overall ring generalship down. We as fans should want this, we want both Ward and Kovalev to be 100% :happy
Cleverly is a solid top 10 fighter. Personally no problems with this fight. It will be a good gage on how 5he 2 fighters deal with him.
I've never rated Cleverly, always thought he was a reasonably talented boxer, with sound fundamentals but lacked any real skill or craft to his game and who fought in a style which was counter intuitive to his talents and weaknesses. But actually this is a solid opponent for Ward. Cleverly is experienced, a proven quantity and is a recognisable name. Though I expect Ward to dominate Cleverly but then he dominates everyone expect maybe Kovalev which is why this upcoming fight with Sergey is so intriguing.