While we obviously have sympathy for cheated Kovalev and anger towards the serial cheating villain Ward people need to bear in mind that 1. Kovalev is a seasoned hardened veteran pro. 2. He well knew Wards tainted history going in Why didnt he theatrically throw himself down like an Italian soccer player to highlight Wards low punching? Why didnt his corner plan for this? By highlighting each and every Ward foul right from the very start he could at the very least 'shamed' Ward into stopping his fouling , or 'shamed' Wards lackey ref into action. Maybe got points taken off Ward. Maybe got Ward DQ'd. Kovalev and his corner was at fault here. The golden rule of boxing is "Protect yourself at all times". This includes - protecting yourself from fouls!
Why? Because it never happened. He was a broken man and was looking for a way out. Like a typical bully he couldn't handle been stood up to. When Ward charged at him, something many fighters are afraid to do due to his powerful punching power, he couldn't handle the pressure, so he started looking for a way to have Ward disqualified by pretending to be fouled. Ward is a man's man. A man among'st little boys like Kovalev.
