Dimtry Bivol vs Andre 'SOG' Ward

Good fight. At 168 it would be close and ugly but slight edge to Bivol. At 175 it would be more clear for Bivol

 

Bivol's best win is Canelo Alvarez. Let that sink in for a minute. A prime Kovalev would baptize Canelo.

 

I think Ward could get Bivol out of his comfort zone and win a decision.

 

50/50. Bivol has the best high guard since Winky Wright and is very physically strong.

 

Conversely, Bivol has never not won atleast 8 rounds against anyone he has been up against. His resume is good, not great, but he has performed like a fighter who is a class above against all of them.

 

My first thought also, Ward is better at 175 than Canelo was.

 

Ward's subtle and nuanced dirty tactics would probably be the deciding factor in a close fight.

 

Bivol is one of my favourite fighters but he ain`t beating Ward

 

It’s an interesting style clash. Prime Ward at 168 was a different fighter than the one armed Ward at 175. Id favor that Ward to beat Bivol but the 175 Ward might be too slow.

 

Bivol would be DQ'd by Meeks for punching Ward.

 

Ward is in deep waters here. He relies on rythmn breaking and potshots and inside fighting to rough up the other guy.

Bivol is like the anti-Ward.

He has light and fabulous footwork which he uses to not be anywhere in range when the opponent attacks. He has super-speed hands that will make it very difficult for Ward to get off first. He has a high workrate which Ward does not have. He doesn't do the inside fighting thing ... Ward is gonna have to beat him at range or he's going to be chasing Bivol like he's chasing a bus all night. I don't give Ward any hope of beating Bivol at range.

Bivol is a tough dude and has never touched canvas iirc. He's taken flush shots from monster punchers like Smith Jr and stayed vertical. I don't think Ward has the power to trouble him.

Ward's only glimmer of hope is that Bivol is not a big puncher. Most of his shots are average at best.

I think Ward sees the end because he's a tough SOB and canny in the ring but I think he does lose a fairly wide points decision.

 

Ward retired after 32 fights for a reason. He wasn’t that good to hang with the light heavyweights.

 

He knew it aswell, Ward isnt stupid.

 

The best thing about Bivol is that he is comfortable fighting at any pace for over 12 rounds. One of the best fighters at imposing his kind of fight. Ward won't be able to bring him out of the comfort zone.