Was Sergey Kovalev Already Past His Best By The time Of Ward 1?

Kovalev was on the downslide for sure, but he was still a very good fighter.

 

I think Fighters like Kovalev spend so much energy, time and will trying to break through to the big time & getting a break that when they actually get there a chunk of them has already gone.. the guy wasn't even getting paid for years.. had relocated to the US etc.. that takes a lot of will and fortitude.. it's easier for Western Fighters.. especially Americans.. for instance if you make make a bit of noise in the amateurs the spotlight is already on you.. no one cares about some Russian

 

His peak was probably around the Nathan Cleverly fight; prior to fighting Ward, in the rematch against Pascal he looked like he had lost a little spite against a Pascal who was seemingly only there to survive. Against Chilemba he looked much more sedate, although possibly returning to the venue where Simakov passed after fighting Kovalev had something to do with it. In the first Ward fight he boxed well and should have won, however he lacked the urgency to press the action and make his supremacy obvious to the judges.

 

Ward as actually at his peak in those Kovalev fights, by his own admission it was the first time in many years that he felt 100% healthy and could throw his right hand with full power. His early retirement has no bearing on him being past prime, and let's face it, he was on a boatload of PEDs.

Kovalev on the other hand was always known to be poor trainer who coasted on natural talent. Those guys never last long.

 

Your logic makes no sense, wards peak was against froch not Kovalev. Ward retired after the Kovalev fights while Kovalev fought on proving that Kovalev had more left in the tank. You want to accuse ward of being on peds with no proof and don't do the same for Kovalev, you're nothing but a bitter agenda having troll who thought Kovalev would put ward I'm a coma. Lmfao!

 

Ward's retirement before Kov does NOT prove Kov had more in the tank. You understand many guys overstay their welcome in boxing. Did RJJ have more in his tank later in his career because her stuck around longer than Ward did? Did Holyfield have more in his tank because he outlasted Lewis? Hell no. Poor analogy.

 

Not at all boxers retire because they're washed up, can you comprehend that? Ward retired because he made good money and had a career in the commentary booth lined up for himself. He was only 33 which is a fairly young age for a defensive minded boxer and had a relatively low number of career fights while not absorbing much punishment. He went on record saying he was 100% going into the Kovalev rematch after having his right shoulder operated on and his right hand NEVER looked as good before. Point out any footage where it looks like he's lost a step... As for the PEDs anybody who knows what to look for can clearly see the signs of AAS use (blown up neck and traps, severe backne etc). You would acknowledge it too but we both know why you won't. Kovalev kept fighting for the same reason most older fighters soldier on, because he didn't earn enough money to retire. He made a pittance for most of his career and got screwed by his promoter not even getting a guaranteed purse for the Ward rematch ffs.

 

Ward retired because he said his body was breaking down and he couldn't fight anymore. Did you watch his documentary? He said he was done if he could've fought on he would've. Kovalev wasn't done and still had some good wins after his last loss to ward mainly giving yarde his first loss. Kovalev being shot or further removed from his prime is an excuse period. If you go back to that time those same people crying about Kovalev being passed his best against Ward picked Kovalev to knock him out. Why in the hell would you pick against ward if you thought one of the best fighters of the era Ward was prime and Kovalev was past his best? It makes no sense and is nothing but an attempt to discredit Ward and make excuses for kovalev and I see right through it.

 

Fighters say theyre 100% or in the best shape of their careers all the time, are you new to boxing? The fact is Ward's body was breaking down and he simply couldn't do it any longer. Why in the hell after a huge win would you retire when you could make way more money by fighting?? I'll tell you why because he couldn't do it anymore. Accusing light punching ward of being on peds?? Lmfao! The guy couldn't bust a grape you act like he was walking guys down beating them down with power shots and throwing 100 punches a round stop! Nothing but bitter speculation from a guy who picked Kovalev to stop ward. Like I said in my previous post in this thread if you felt Kovalev was past his best and ward wasn't why in the hell like so many others in this thread crying pick him to beat an elite "100%" ward?? I know why you did but you will never admit it here.

 

Ward was even more past his best in that fight, then kovalev was.

 

Prime Kovalev would KO Yarde in 2 rounds.

 

Beterbiev couldn't even ko him that fast stop!

 

Prime Beterbiev KOs Yarde in 2 also.

 

Yes, but only because he had turned into an arrogant, entitled drunkard who lost his hunger for the fight game. JDJ said that he basically became untrainable, and I believe him.