Was it a good stoppage?

it was a bad stoppage, disgraceful even. but Ward was on top and likely to win. the thing is that shouldn't matter though, Kov should have been given a count and a chance to fight on, this was taken away from him and a conclusive win was taken from Ward. On a side note I didnt like Ward's blatant KO low blows. I get that its dog eat dog but it was so blatant as to be disturbing, it wasnt even sly, the replays are there to see, clear cheating IMO. I was rooting for Ward as I did the first fight, but I think he lost that fight and won this one in a strange manner.

 

Kovalev wanted out. He was whining as early as round 3. The guy has suspect stamina and cant take a body shot, thats why he ties you up anytime you get close. Wards uppercuts were right on the belt line--weeks said right before the fight that the belt line is a body shot. Pay attention next time.

 

I've seen replays where at least 3 low blows were landed during the whole fight.

All 3 were below the belt.

 

Yes, no balls should be treated this way

 

NO but you have to remember that Kova didn't throw a single punch back and the way he slumped down looked really bad. I do think he should have been given atleast a count.

 

That punch lands below the belt line. THe belt line itself is ABOVE the navel.

 

Of course not.

 

Stuck in the ropes by boxing rules = knockdown not stoppage.

 

There was no way for him to give a count unless Kovalev went down or took a knee.

 

There you have it, and Ward landed some before that.

 

get over it. Kova prepares for KO's not fights. He was in with a real fighter "that can take what he got" (Real deal) so it was on and poppin. he gassed and quit.

 

In fairness Kovalev was in enough distress that Weeks could have stopped the fight even before Ward threw that last punch. A better decision would have been for Weeks to have gotten in there before Ward threw that last punch and gave him a standing 10 count. Can it be classified as a controversial stoppage? Yes. However, is it the worst stoppage ever? NO. What Weeks could have done there will be debated forever, he could have handled it in a variety of ways. But it was all happening so fast, and I think it's hard to blame Weeks for not ruling that a low blow. Kov was bending over so Weeks may not have been able to conclude that it was clearly a low blow. He may have thought it was just on the edge of the border.

What was clear though was that Kovalev was in major trouble from legal and legit borderline punches before that. So lets not act like that last low blow was intentional, dirty or what was caused Kov to get in trouble. If you're honest, you thought Kov was about to get stopped even before Ward threw that last punch.