Totally... and he might also have been trying to con Kovalev to deter him from going all-in on a finish. One or two more clean shots may have done the job...
I remember that knockdown round because right after that Ward got up and jumped straight in Kovalev's guts with the intent to do great bodily harm. I think that was two rounds before Kovalev tried to make peace and touch Wards gloves and Ward told him to go fk himself and got right back in them guts. I think ole Kov might of dirtied his shorts. I know he farted loud and hell.
He was coherent. The smile just meant to me anyways, was him acknowledging what a good shot that was, and I'm sure he didn't expect that. He dusted himself off and came back to win! That right there tells you all you need to know about Ward as a fighter and a champion.
Yeah how many of us watching thought it was all over at that point,in his corner I thought he was a beaten man to be honest,nobody else has ever survived from there against Kovalev
You know... I would say the same thing a few days ago if you asked me but after watching the fight a third time... I'll say THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL WARD WON THAT FIGHT. Kovalev is beyond a shadow of a doubt the peoples REAL 175LB CHAMPION. And 70-75% of the worlds population agrees.
I wonder if there will be a rematch as PPV figures were poor and there's every chance it will be an even dirtier fight than the last with Ward charging in and Kovalev head locking Ward?
Ward has already clearly decisively beat Kovalev. No need for a rematch. Ward should move on to face Stevenson for LHW unification and afterwards, maybe give Kovalev another inside work demonstration.
i very much presume kovalev intentionally threw the belt for the contracted rematch just to get more money. he will ko him in the rematch to erase all doubts. he has no other big money fight in his weight class to dance with.