HBO PPV: Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev II & Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Moises Flores RBR.

None of those things are allowed. The ref warned both guys, Kovalev was doing his own holding and hitting behind the head. What about the way that Ward outboxed Kessler and Kovalev? Do you think that has anything to do with the results of the fights? Or do you think a guy can win an Olympic Gold Medal, go through two weight divisions and remain undefeated against world class fighters by being nothing more than a dirty fighter? Why isn't Salido pound for pound number one then?
Maybe it's time to give Andre Ward the credit he deserves and stop looking for excuses. Goodnight.

 

Correct, no 8 count in Vegas' unified rules.

 

I had the first fight with Kov as a draw and I had Kov 4-3 before the illegal barrage to the balls. I hope you sleep well at night overlooking the fact your fighter cheated tonight to defeat his equal.

 

I'll sleep very well knowing that Ward dominated Kovalev tonight both mentally and physically, conclusively proving who the superior fighter is. Kovalev said no third fight and he got his wish, Ward 2-0. Peace.

 

He dosen't want the 3rd fight because the same thing will happen to his ballsack. He's just thinking about his wife.

 

It's just surreal to see Weeks ref another fight with repeated borderline low blows. I mean this really had shades of Roy Jones Bernard Hopkins 2, only in this fight Weeks specifically did stuff different than what he did in that fight. For example, there was a moment in this fight where Ward had turned Kovalev around and Ward had Kovalev in a similar position that Roy had Bernard when Roy threw that punch where Bernard went down. Well literally it was almost an identical situation only this time Weeks jumped in and protected Kovalev when he was turned to the side / back of Ward. It's almost like he had RJJ BHop 2 in his mind and was trying not to make the same mistake twice.

And obviously with the low blows well in RJJ B Hop 2 remember he gave B Hop 5 minutes on multiple occasions when they were really square on the belt-line. Well with Roy at ringside, it as like deja vu all over again for Weeks only this time he didn't give Kov 5 minutes in situations where he gave B Hop 5 minutes. Basically it seemed like Weeks was over compensating for making some of the wrong decisions in RJJ B Hop 2 that favored B Hop in that fight. (remember he also missed a clear low blow from Hopkins)

Seriously it's amazing how similar the situations were between these two fights that Weeks refereed. To see Weeks involved in another fight with similar situations to that RJJ BHop rematch is just unreal.

 

I think Weeks was scared of doing his job and put Kovalev at risk personally.

 

By your logic, no referee should ever have the same ethnicity as either of the fighters. Or are you racist and saying that only black referees are unable to be impartial to race of the fighters?

 

I agree with this. It was close but overall Ward was in control of the fight. Backing up doesn't mean losing, Ward was landing the power shots, Ward was landing the harder shots, but Kovalev was still a threat throughout every round and continued to come forward and was throwing more punches. But less effective.

Ward landed at least three really brutal body shots earlier in the right, and a lot more less brutal ones throughout. The 3 really brutal shots were hooks to Kovalev's side/ribcage, and as someone who has boxed and sparred, I turned to my friends after those shots and said Kovalev is going to feel those for the rest of the fight. Sure enough after those shots you could see Kovalev breathing heavily in between rounds.

Anyway, the right hand wobbled Kovalev, and it was over from that point on. Ward did land a couple of low blows, and one of the three final punches was definitely a low blow, but let's face it. I watched the end of the fight several times now. Kovalev was on his way out before the final low blow. He was barely on his feet after the right hand to the jaw.

And to those saying he should have gotten an 8 count, there is no standing 8 count rule. The ref stopped the fight because Kovalev was no longer defending himself. You might call it premature, I can see how you could make a legit argument for that. But I favor fighters staying healthy and alive rather than letting them get brutally KO'ed and risk permanent injury, so I agree with the stoppage. One of the final three punches was definitely low but face it, regardless if it was or not, it wasn't on purpose and it didn't change the outcome of the fight one way or the other. Kovalev had already given up the moment before the final low blow. From the moment there were about 45 seconds left in the round Kovalev was in survival mode and just struggling to stay standing, though he did a good job of trying to hide it.

 

"It was a low blow. It didn't hurt like I could go down on the floor but it was a low blow," Kovalev said. "Right now, I should've continued. I didn't feel it. This is fight. We are boxers. Yes, he punched me but I didn't feel it. It didn't hurt me. I wanted to continue fighting. Why stop the fight? I want to continue and kick his ass."

 

The word deluded doesn't even cover it. Do you actually think Kovalev was gonna come back and win? Embarrassing.

 

The guy chose to sit on the ropes.....he basically took a knee.

How can you wave a guy off for taking a knee?