Sergey Kovalev vs. Light Heavyweights late 70's -early 80's.

Most of the clinching was initiated by Kovalev to stop Wards infighting.

Maybe you're the one that needs to rewatch the fight again.

 

I actually think Max Kellman has improved over the years and does appreciate Eastern Euro talents in Lomo, GGG, and Kovalev.

While he's still very pro-Urban American boxers, it's not quite as overbearing as it used to be. Perhaps because boxing has few good ones fighting on HBO.

His boxing analysis is a bit better, and he doesn't say bad things as often. I think his planning pre and post fight on what he is going to say is at times is rather good.

But still he's no Steve Farhood.

 

Maybe Kovalev didn't land his best because the guy he was facing was sticking and moving and Kovalev was unwilling or simply unable to cut off the ring?

Kovalev trying to go to Wards body means hell be eating counters from Ward, something which made Kovalev hesitant in the first fight.

Why else did Kovalev take his foot off the gas? A) because Ward took out his steam with his body shots and/or b) Kovalev didn't like what Ward was firing back. Marked or not.

I expect Ward to defeat Kovalev much easier in the rematch.

 

With better judging, Kovalev wins, and I hear Team Ward isn't keen on a re-match.

Kovalev easily marked Ward up and didn't land his best or go to the body early enough.

He'll adjust. In fact, he did late. Why did he take his foot off the gas? He did say he felt like he lost just three rounds ( I'd say 5 is more accurate ), and may have felt the fight was his on points.

In the end, Kovalev threw more, landed more, scored the knockdown, and had his man hurt more often. Yet the judges gave it to Ward, on a horrible call in round 10.

 

With better judging? They gave Ward the fight by ONE round, it could/should easily have been a draw.

After the KD, Kovalev seemed surprised Ward got up and it was Ward who took it to Kovalev up until round 10 where Kovalev had some resurgence. 11-12 were Wards and there times in the last 3 rounds where Ward stood toe to toe with Kovalev.

Kovalev does have tremendous power, but it wasn't enough.

What's he going to do for the rematch? Punch harder?

 

Don Dunphy, Howard Cosell, Tim Ryan, Gil Clancy, ....Sean O'Grady,..Al Bernstein...I miss these guys...can't stand those HBO posers.

 

Cosell was as bad as anyone.

 

No...Ward couldnt do **** from long range so he tried to turn it into a nasty inside fight like he did with Kessler and Kov was preventing it so it was Ward holding and hitting.
So maybe u should go back and watch the fight and c how the so called master boxer was out boxed.
Lederman had it right.

 

He could be bad...he could be a pompous drone at times...he was guily of shilling a bit too much for Ali and SRL, but when he was good, he buried what all you have today...he provided a certain pitch of excitement...his voice was part of the "soundtrack" of the 60's and 70's....I know, I was there.

 

Would like to see Kovalev in the meatgrinder that the 70's / early 80's Lightheavies was, before making judgement. Marvin Johnson might be the weakest of all of the 70's guys, but being a southpaw, he might counter Kovalev and knock Sergey out. Galindez & MSM were known to pull fights out of the fire, and Braxton was a true bad-bass who used to beat up convicts. Spinks could box & had power as great as Kovalev.