How many still consider Kovalev the best at 175?

I don't think Ward would get anymore credit than Kovalev had he been fighting in Russia for the past 3-4 years already.

 

Technically speaking he's not, however, I'd still consider him the most dangerous because he seems more committed than Stevenson with more tools than Arthur at the moment.

The fight was extremely close and I had Ward 114-113

 

Dont know. Kovalev has been around a bit and not just defending in one place. In 10 world title fights Kovalev has only had half in the USA

 

They can, you're right. I still feel this one could've gone both ways. I feel the BEST Ward could've gotten is 114-113, but the best Kovalev could've got is 115-112, 7-5 either way. Round 3 and 12 were close rounds IMO. I feel like Ward nicked most his rounds except for 7, 8, and 9. Whereas Kovalev didn't nick his rounds, he clearly won his. And I feel like that's where people get the "robbery" claims from. Because round by round it was close, but as far as winning the rounds, Kovalev won his better.

 

Excellent post, even taking the marginal differences with punch stats and applying them to their respective rounds wouldn't give you a distinct winner. One of the most difficult points to make clear regarding this fight is the point you're touching on now. Too many folks had a pre-vested interest as soon as the fight was announced overlooking the quality of the event and instead focusing on its outcome playing a small role in some personal battle they have with their own existence.

 

??? Moron alert

 

What if Andre has the judges ignore most of Kov's work whilst awarding him anything and everything they can?

Until he beats Kovalev fair and square I won't rate him as the divisions number 1 fighter. He might well do that in a rematch but another red white and a blue coloured decision would mean very little to me.

 

Yes Kovalev is the people,s champion! ward should give the belts back to Krusher

 

Which is a fair point if you feel the first fight was a robbery. But I don't. Just a close fight that was tough to score. But to allay fans' fears there is no way the rematch should have all-USA judges. I still can't believe Kathy Duva agreed to this first time round, despite not feeling the decision was a poor one. It just didn't have a good look....

 

I tried to watch it whilst being biased to Ward and the best I could make a case for was a draw if I ignored the knockdown.

Ward may well win a rematch convincingly now he knows what to expect. That doesn't change my opinion on how the first fight went. Kovalev got jobbed IMO. I really believe that if the performances were reversed the judges would have given Ward a (exaggeratedly) wide UD.

 

Couldn't have said better,he came out to prove he could box against Ward and at range with his jab it worked beautifully but where was the crusher that night,see his previous fights and it's so apparent that he was trusting the judges to score for the quality shots but Ward did enough as he often does to steal away those rounds in front of Kovalev,I don't like Wards style but boy is he clever,he knows when to steal away the rounds and I don't know what other folk think but Ward seem to make that fight go by in a flash?
Really we should all say Ward is the man at 175 but I'm keeping my judgement until after the rematch,all I know is I'm part of a big group that can't stand Ward in how he fights and talks but I'll never ever doubt him or write him off against anyone in that division?

 

Yeah you'd have thought that a given given that Kovalev was the champ,I truly believe Kovalev trusted those judges 100%so they gave Ward one round to many in any normal non total fight nobody would speak of corruption and whilst they favoured Ward(hometown decision)I don't know if there was anything dodgy as it was a close fight.
Barry Mcguigan is smart I can't remember the details in the Quigg fight bet he said he never wanted three judges from same place,British I think and he wanted some US guys I think?
Duva should have mentioned it for sure

 

The real question is: who is #2?

Kovalev is the man at LHW - we all know that. He dominated Ward but the vegas judges wouldn't/couldnt give it to a russian. I get it.

IMO Stevenson is #2. He would clearly physically dominate Ward and own the fight with his power and straight left. At this point I'm not sure any prospect coming up can beat him.

 

100% correct, Duva must have traded judges for $$$....

 

After the Kov Ward fight, I see the division as wide open. In a round robin, I wouldn't be surprised to see neither Ward nor Kov at the top of the pile. Super 6 anyone?