I hope that you're right and that it will be competitive. I just don't see Ward being able to impose his style on somebody that's as good a boxer coupled with such physicality as Kovalev brings to the table. This could be a cra cker of a fight then :thumbsup
Everything that Kovalev does well, with the exception of power, Ward does better. Kovalev's one equalizer with Ward (power) is easily stopped if you know how to box. Question, how often have you seen Kovalev produce power punches without having his full reach? How many times has he had to fight out of a clinch or fight a guy with rough housing tactics, that can get off sharp punches on the inside?
Whoever wins Ward-Kovalev will have a number of good fights: - Rematch - Stevenson (if he finally decides not to chicken out) - Gvozdyk - Beterbiev And there's also Mekhontsev, Alvarez, Shabranssky, Joe Smith Jr, Fonfara. LHW is going to be exciting for a while, I really think Gvozdyk and Beterbiev are afraid of nobody and will push for big fights against Ward and/or Kovalev in a year or two.
It is easy to look good when you are facing sluggers like Froch. Chilemba is a tough lightheavy, Ward would be knocked out clean.
I'll be very surprised if Ward shows up for the fight. That inflamed knee might flare up again LOL BUT If Ward does show up, fights & legitimately beats Sergey Kovalev I'll apologize, admit I was wrong & call him champ. As in every fight May the Best Man Win:good
IF, then Ward will seek unification against Chickenson. A fight against Braener in Germany is also possible. A defense against Froch in the O2 arena in the UK has money written all over it. Possible rematch with Kovalev, after a big hype. Possible "All American" defense against Joe Smith. Plenty of options, plus all up and coming LHW talent, but my guess is Ward will stick to fewer, bigger money fights.
I've picked Ward in this fight since first ever floated around years ago. I stand by it still. Love how this forum rides 80/20 Kovalev. Always so predictably decisive even in relative 50/50 fights. Lets see what happens. Should be an amazing fight.
Yes I did say exactly the same thing about Mayweather-Pac & I meant it too. IF Mayweather could LEGITIMATELY beat Pacquaio in a level straight down the middle fight I'd apologize & call Mayweather the better man Unfortunately Mayweather couldn't even compete with Pac in a level fight Mayweather BLATANTLY CHEATED!! with the 750 ml of ILLEGAL saline drip he received in his home on May 1 He was exposed by Thomas Hauser & had no legitimate excuse for needing it. The Nsac showed how corrupt they are by vainly trying to clear his name while at the same time they denied Pacquaio the LEGAL painkillers he was promised for "failing to tick a box on a form" They granted Mayweather a TUE for the IV THREE WEEKS AFTER the fight ROFLMAO Mayweather ran like a coward from a seriously injured Pacquaio for 12 rounds while the Vegas judges ludicrous scorecards read 118-110 & 117-111 for Mayweather????? Was it a legitimate win for Mayweather?? HELL NO in my book it was BLATANT ROBBERY BY ALL CONCERNED!!!!:fire:fire:fire:fire MANNY PACQUAIO >>>>>>>>>> MAYWEATHER
I think he has to try to clean out the division. Try to get stevenson in the ring then go after Butterbiev. After those two look to move to heavyweight for a s**** with DW for the title. He has the skill to handle DW and the fight would draw a lot of attention.