Is there a growling feeling that Ward can beat Kovalev?

Nice excuse. Kovalev at his best knocks out and outboxes kessler, Froch and Ward within 8 rounds. Ward winning the Super 8 does not quantify him beating Kovalev. Get real.

 

I don't see Ward winning if he fights a back foot fight. When his opponents on his back foot Kovalev can set the pace and mix up his attack as he likes to. Kovalev would be getting off first and last, and possibly extending his punches with full force. Ward needs to fight a front foot fight all the way I think! Don't give me Kovalev much on the outside, as he finds his way inside. On the inside Ward can take the steam off Kovalev's power, give him angles, land short shots, and be more effective with counters.

 

I'm not "growling" are you?

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I am not basing my entire opinion on Ward winning the Super Six. Resume isn't everything. Styles come into play, too. If the only factor that went into winning a fight was resume, then predicting fights would be very easy and we would all be rich.

Also, by the same token, if we use your logic of only going by resume, then you could say that Kova doesn't stand a chance of winning because beating a 50 year old Hopkins doesn't prepare you for Ward. Do you see how ludicrous that sounds.

If you think Kova KO's Ward within 8 then give a reason why? What tactics will he use to do this? How will he nullify Ward's strengths?

 

I think I was a bit too simplistic in my breakdown.

For Ward to win, he can't just fight in one style. Most elite fighters are hard to beat with just one style. What you say, Ward will need to apply at times during the fight.

However, I believe he can win against Kova by backing up for large parts off the fight; not by backing up to the ropes, being negative and going into a shell like a lot of Kova's opponents did, noticably, Hopkins. If he fights like he has done before in fights, and like Mayweather does brilliantly (I know they have different styles, but the basic premise is the same), back up just at the edge of Kova's range, but not against the ropes so Ward has escape routes if it gets hairy, and try and draw the lead from Kova. Set traps and counter. Like I said in my other post, Kova is a good boxer, he's fundamentally sound, but Ward is the better, slicker and more rounded and versatile fighter here.

If Ward respects Kova's power, but is not scared or in awe of it to such an extent that it stops him fighting his fight, then he can win. It will be very hard and he has to fight an almost punch perfect fight, but it can be done.

 

I think Kova has to be favourite as he is the king as this weight; we aren't too if we're getting the same Ward here.

However, I don't think either fighter winning should be a shock here. Ward has the more polished skills (though Kovalev, as we all know, is fundamentally very good) but doesn't have anywhere near the same punching power. I will lean toward Kovalev, but it'd be foolish to rule Ward out. I think Kovalev's jab to the body will be used a lot and it'll slow Ward down toward the later rounds. I think Ward will take the first few in a close fight to begin with but it'll slowly go Kovalev's way. Ward is used to being able to use his strength on the inside but in this fight I'm not sure he is the stronger guy.

Like I said, I don't think there's really a wrong answer.

 

Growl!

 

Both fighters deserve the rep they receive among boxing's fans and media. However... I honestly believe this fight is a mismatch, based on several factors.

HBO has done well to "sell" this fight as a 50-50 affair. It's not, in my opinion.

 

Ward is a slight betting favourite according to oddschecker so I'm not sure what you are talking about

 

Only thing growling is my stomach for lunch ...

 

Grrr!!!

 

I actually think Ward has a slightly higher ring IQ than Krusher. I also feel Krusher has more of a killer instinct where as Ward does not.

I don't see this as an easy fight and both men will be tested that night. The winner will truly be the man who is more focused and disciplined come fight night

 

Excellent thread. Myself I am rooting for Kovalev who I have always thought would defeat Ward because of his strength. Now that the fight looks like it will happen and is slowly getting closer I am having a bad feeling about this. Ward's record is no joke man. The guy is a capable of coming up with a winning stratagy and is also capable of changing things up if necessary.

 

Of course he can win, I don't think anyone's ever doubted that, I don't think he will though.