This is a very good point, although I think calling it "more of a glorified push" is quite the understatement. But you're right, this wasn't a flush bomb from Kovalev, and if Kovalev does land a severe power shot on the button, Ward's going to be in big trouble. Kovalev didn't punch through his target that time, but he did still deliver a quick crisp counter that put Ward down. The flip side to this, I think, is the fact that Kovalev was never able to land a better shot than that. So asking what happens if Ward lands clean is a fair question, but on the other hand, can Kovalev land clean? Especially since he didn't during 12 rounds first time around? I don't know the answers to either of these questions. But I sure can't wait to find out!
Yeah Rummy, I phrased that wrong, having watched the punch on slow-mo prior to posting. And slowed down it looks a bit 'pushy'. It certainly wasn't a technically perfect punch though, so I think we can say Ward has yet to take his best shot. But then again I think Ward will keep the catch-counter in the locker in the rematch so is Kovalev capable of making the openings he needs to land clean or was his best work in the first fight - that right hand - merely reactive and instinctive and, therefore, unlikely to be repeated?
Yeah, well maybe you did get the prediction wrong but it was one of those fights where each boxer had a clear path to victory during the bout. Joshua managed the final step to get the KO but Wlad had his chance in the 6th and the 7th, when either through fatigue or caution (probably a combination of both), he took his foot off the gas. He was so close to getting the stoppage and you were equally close to being right. But ultimately, YDKSAB. Join the club, I'm president...
Great vid again Rummy. The fight seemed to go the way many predicted with Wlad taking over later in the fight, but I also think hardly anyone saw a later rally coming from Joshi. This was a great fight, and just what Heavyweight needed. You should have done the fight footage in greyscale too, with filmgrain and commentary stills.
I've got Ward in the rematch. I felt Kovalev won the first fight and although it was close I always have it narrowly for Kovalev.
I wasn't feeling too inspired after that fight, but I had stopped watching right after the cards were read, and apparently missed the most dramatic parts of the night. I'll probably do something relatively soon on that, but been working on a rankings experiment of sorts.