Was Kovalev always overrated?

There is a bit of that. I thought Kovalev would smash Ward to bits but Ward hung in there, did his thing and held his own. Ward is just as awkward as all heck to fight, and while I find his style ugly, it is effective.

 

Not overrated, but a little one dimensional. Kovalev has a great 1-2, a great jab, and good power and that was enough for him to be able to beat almost everyone in the division. However, in the first Ward fight Kovelev's limitations were made clear. Kovalev is harmless if you take away his jab and he can't fight in the pocket.

 

hes not one dimensional hes a good all around boxer with power solid defense solid chin hes balanced all around with great power. hes just not power hes more then that.

 

I had ward edging it but i wouldnt argue either way.

My point is no "overated" fighter does that to ward

 

He isn't completely rounded, in as much as he doesn't have a lot to offer inside (something I tend to be critical of in general with fighters), but it's precious few fighters who have all the tangibles and intangibles needed to exploit it in his case.

What Kovalev does in the long to medium range, he does to a very high level with excellent technique, timing and reading comprehension. Marry that to his power, and you have a hell of a fighter.

 

true that.

 

No arguments there

 

ok alt.

 

Kovalev wasnt ahead before the BS stoppage that is a myth

 

Even prior to the first match It was quite obvious Ward would have to grind out a win on the inside because long/medium range was SK’s wheelhouse. Ward of course is more layered and cerebral and he obviously knew the road to success would require him to close the distance, counter pop shot and create an uncomfortable fighting environment for Kovalev. The 2nd match again seemed to reinforce Kovalevs dominance in traditional 1-2 while in the middle of the ring however Ward seemed to evolve every round landing more and more counters working the body and once again making the fight awkWARD for Kovalev. It’s a shame the contraversy surrounding “lowblows” has overshadowed and ultimately tainted Wards vastly underrated effectiveness, determination and patience portrayed in that fight.

 

I don’t completely agree with your “unlucky” assessment since it diverts accountability and projects ownus of the loss on exterior factors and not the fighter (Kovalev)

Stevenson for all his talent shows little integrity and SK would have went to war with him.

 

I believe I had it almost even with Ward steadily taking over the show at the time of the (premature supporters have an argument) stoppage

 

No just lost his way after being robbed and probably got disillusioned with it all,after all in that first fight Kovalev looked like the boxer and Ward the brawler.

 

Ebo Elder vs Courtney Burton....I always revert back to this fight whenever I forget how insanely intimate and emotionally profound this sport can be....one never knows what they will leave in the ring on any given night.

 

What? He beat Ward in the first fight and was stopped on a series of low blows in the 2nd. That's like me dissing Wards record because his best wins is against Kessler a guy who went the distance with a glass jawed Mundine and Froch a guy who was beaten by Kessler and went life and death with him the second time even with his inactivity.
Their both very good fighters but Ward is dirty.