That body work that Ward put in really paid huge returns as he had Kovalev hurt several times and succeeded in sapping a lot of strength from Kovalev so as his punches no longer had that snap and crunch. I think Kovalev was really surprised by the ferocity of Ward's body attack and in the latter rounds was taking it very seriously as he tried to retaliate with his own body shots in rounds 11 and 12. But Ward's constant body attack had taken their turn, and Kovalev's punches no longer bothered Ward as much as Ward's were starting to bother Kovalev. Great fight!
You scored round 3 for Ward - all he did was run away and get out-punched. So I do need a tissue... to wipe your likes off the sole of my shoe.
Another funny thing is that all the Ward fanboys have the exact same score: 114-113. Not one of them has it wider than that, because whne your boy loses it's hard to come up with rounds to gift him. People who scored it for Kovalev have different scores, mostly 116-111. That's because Kovalev won 6 rounds beyond any doubt, and then also nicked two more.
Well yeah of course I did, since he won round 3. He also won rounds 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12. 7 rounds to 5 for Ward is the correct score, making it a score of 114-113.
Ward's face looked like he'd been punched in the face for 36 minutes. Kovalev's face looked like he'd been chasing a guy for 36 minutes.
The furore over the result is amusing; Ward was landing more consistently, but ofcourse some of the work from Kovalev got through....it was a fight not a tickling contest so he will look as though he has been in one!
I had it 7-5 for Kovalev. But Ward knew all he needed to do was make the fight competitive and he'd be given the decision by his hometown judges.
I thought Kovalev edged it, due to the knock down. Wouldn't be upset with a draw. Didn't deserve to lose his belts though.
My scorecard: Round 1 10/9 SK Round 2 10/8 SK Round 3 10/9 SK Round 4 10/9 SK (just) Round 5 10/9 AW (just) Round 6 10/9 SK Round 7 10/9 AW Round 8 10/9 AW Round 9 10/9 AW (just) Round 10 10/9 SK (just) Round 11 10/9 AW Round 12 10/9 SK (just) 115-112 Kovalev.