This is not the same ward who beat froch and Dawson. He really hurt himself taking those years off. This fight won't be that close. I think ward can keep it interesting over the first 4rds by using his quickness, elusiveness, holding and butting. However, that power is just overwhelming. If he's lucky he'll get iced around the 6th. If not, then he'll get hammered until the 10th when virgil stops it.
Naaagh.... Kovalev will parry his spoiler tactics, his power punches will slow Ward down and Sergej will win.
Kovalev puts this thug in a coma within 6, you heard it hear first. Ward didn't want this fight, he was backed into a corner. This is Amir Khan vs Canelo all over again.
Once kovalev lands a shot, ward will become hesitant to try and smother him.. Ward would have to fight on the outside in order to survive
Hopkins is very good and used to be great, but some of you have problems to see how competition has arised. Kovalev would be a hard fight for anyone at 175. IMO Ward will fall.
I think it's crucial that Kovalev starts strong...watching him take his time then crushing opponents is nice and all but Ward won't be so easy to break down or exploit.