Beating Ward is simple second time around

Some good posts here.

I agree that Kovalev isn't just going to walk through Ward. Ward showed that he has what it takes to hang with a guy like Kovalev and that he can bounce back even from good punches.

That said, I felt that Kovalev won the first fight and that he mustn't abandon the plan from that time round.

He's clearly the better boxer, what let him down was his conditioning. If he fixes that, he's half way to victory. I also agree with KO Kidd that Kova should consider slipping some to the body as a matter of course. Ward is always strong along the stretch; it would be a good idea to soften him up through the fight so that he doesn't have a strong finish.

As for Ward, what can he do?

I thought Ward was pretty effective at breaking Kovalev's rythmn and feinting and then potshotting and tying him up. He may have to resort to more of this, and similarly try to turn it into a mauling match up close. I can't see Ward slugging or boxing at range with SK.

Simply, I expect this to be much like the first fight.

The question is whether Ward can keep it close for longer, and whether Kovalev's gas tank holds out.

I expect a faster pace in the rematch.

 

Kov fights more measured and he gets tired again. This fight is going to be close but I got Ward winning by 3 rounds this go. You guys are forgetting or failing to admit not only did Ward adapt, not only did he make it an ugly fight, but he limited Kov to only landing a jab.

It wasn't just the wrestling and bodywork that tired out Kovalev. Ward was making this guy miss a lot of his punches center ring. Multiple combinations and flurry attempts. Also keep in mind Ward outlanded Kov in jabs. So this jab argument is petty to use.

There will be no KD this go either. No fireworks. I hope you guys like chess decided on 4 to 5 moves because that's what it's going to be.

 

I am placing my bet now..............I bet..........that on the 17th I will be watching it.

 

Sergey KRUSHER Kovalev can finish ward or increase the KD account. But if he knocked ward down in every round including 3 times in the 12th so the judges can't forget hed still lose by MD

 

While I think Kovalev > Beterbiev overall, Artur is a terrible matchup for Ward. He'd get bludgeoned.

 

Some surprisingly balanced posts here for a change, nice!

I think ward will pick up where he left off and win slightly clearer this time round (I had him a point up first time around).

I really want to kov to win though and agree to an extent with what some have said, I think he needs to mix it to the body and be more aggressive to win the rematch. Being measured and trying to outbox / jab ward made for too many close rounds first time out I think kov would benefit from being more aggressive and pushing ward back more. It's just whether his cardio can mange it or if he was really overtrained or wards body work slowed him that could be the issue there.

I don't think he can walk through ward like some have said but for me a lot of the rounds he gave away in the 2nd half of the first fight were due to a lack of urgency

 

Well said. A lot of people don't realize this, if someone isn't a big puncher they automatically assume a more powerful opponent can or should walk through him.

 

I agree with you here, they are clearly very closely matched. Beterbiev has the am wins ver kova, but there seems to be some grounds for Sergei's complaint that he got stiffed in the scoring. They should fight in the pros to lay the matter to rest once and for all.

 

I beg to disagree, this will be the best Andre Ward we could get.
He will beat Kovalev very very easily.

 

If that happens, then he's really the SOG at boxing.

I suppose Kova could have a heart attack when they touch gloves; only way I see that happening