Kov won the first fight without question, second fight wasn't Kov ahead at the time of the stoppage or was close anyway. But if memory serves was taking questionably low shots all night. I don't remember Ward being cautioned either about them, and even if a shot isn't low but border line, refs SHOULD caution the fighter, which never happened, correct me if I'm wrong though.
According to corrupt officials only The only thing Ward might have ruined was Kovalevs ability to ever be a daddy again
Shots on the belt line are legal. This content is protected Jack Reiss is a good ref. Let him answer your question at 15:06.
Kovalev wears his trunks fairly high. Thats why you always see him pushing them down when he fights. You can see here that is body protector comes up over his navel .. https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qFT...image/image/55316409/697115608.1497758719.jpg
He is one of the best of the last 10 years!! He cleared 168 and beat the boogie man at 175! Future HOF!! He will come back of retirement and he will clean 175!