Kovalev Ward predictions?

Kov by KO

 

Regardless of result, this is going to be another treat of a great match. Absolute highest level, and riveting drama even when the action lulls. Best matchup in boxing first time, and even better now. They'll be in better shape, and we know with the close first one and rivalry they want it more. If it's close they'll both be going for it late. Wish these guys would fight no one but each other.

To make a pick, I'll take Ward, by close but uncontroversial decision. I thought Kovalev edged the first fight by a point, but said then I thought Ward was more comfortable by the end, had figure out his distance and could time Kovalev better, and on that could adjust and control a rematch most of the way. I still like Ward's mind and lean that way.

But I will be making a small play on Kovalev. Only as he's the underdog. My bookie has Kovalev as +130/2.30 underdog, and Ward the 1.68/-147 fave. That means Kovalev is given 43.48% chance and Ward 59.52%. Even if the fight goes the distance I think that is edging to Ward a little too much. Kovalev has the better jab and could put on a Hearns-like outside boxing performance. Assuming it does go the distance I'd say at those odds it would be no bet. But of course: if there's a knockout only Kovalev will get it. I don't doubt Ward has enough power to bother Kovalev, but sorry no way he knocks him out. The under at good odds might be value, but it's set at 9.5 rounds rather than 11.5, and you want to have those last two rounds. Kovalev by KO looks appealing, but I think the bookies at about +400/5.00 (20%) are sharp, and more likely than 80% this goes the distance. This is a close enough matchup that we should acknowledge that either guy CAN win, and that gives good value to the underdog, rare in boxing.

Here and for boxing bragging rights Ward is my pick. But if he loses Kovalev straight is where my money is

 

I forgot about him, another one who tested positive for actual AAS, nandrolone in his case.

 

SOB hired the referee to be his body guard, so Kovalev will have to knock the referee out of the way to get to SOB, but he will do it, knock SOB down the toilet and back into the sewer from which he came.............

 

Yeah, the narrative that Kovalev won the first half and Ward the second is such bs. It's more accurate to say the first third was Kovalev, middle third Ward, and last third hard to split. But even that isn't quite true, it was close all the way.

By each winning the rounds they won 55-45ish do you mean the portion of the round each won, or the chance you could score the round for each? Definitely neither outclassed the other in any round. That's what happens with two absolute elites in there, which they showed themselves to be. As far as rounds which were 100% clear however, the 1st and 2nd were Kovalev's and the 5th and 7th Ward's.

 

Kov should go in and try to blitz him out immediately same way as last time. Giving away early rounds to the slow-starting Ward is a stupid decision regardless of the stamina issues Team Kovalev has mentioned. Ward will wear him down in the clinch (no matter who initiates what, you're still right there in the clinch).

 

That's a comical statement because Kovelav beat Ward far easier than Golovkin beat Jacobs and Ward is a far better fighter than Jacobs.

 

Ward won only 2 rounds clearly (the 7th and 8th), hardly figuring someone out.

 

Can't risk my Juan avy

No money no problem let's just enjoy the fight :good:

 

I think either Kovalev stops him by the mid rounds or Ward wins a competitive decision.

 

Kovalev will treat aw exactly like boone in their rematch. Their talent level.have such a huge gap. This time IF AW survives the first 3 rounds kovalev will be able to continue the mismatch. There's zero chance aw can win this, how lost are our fans, mismatch of the highest order