Kovalez-Ward 3 Days Away (11-19-16)

[JayBee74]

Can Sergio pressure his way to a decision? Can Ward be knocked out? Is anyone getting this PPV fight?

I have been looking forward to this one for some time.

The main undercard features fast rising light-heavyweight Oleksandr Gvozdyk versus Isaac Chilemba, the guy who gave Kovalez problems in his last fight. Gvozdyk is trained by Robert Garcia, while Roy Jones works for Chilemba.

Nathan Cleverly, emboldened by his upset over Brähmer for the WBA title, wants a rematch with Sergio should he beat Ward.

[steelcityjames]

Re: Kovalez-Ward 3 Days Away (11-19-16)

I like ward by decision. I think kovalev will tire out sometime near round 8 or 9. I expect it to be close up to that point but ward will pick him apart in the late rounds to secure the victory

[JayBee74]

Re: Kovalez-Ward 3 Days Away (11-19-16)

Biggest fight of the year on Saturday. I'm concerned about Ward's lack of ring-time over the past few years, and I just don't know if he's back to where he was (or if he ever will be). And he's fighting a complete monster. I will be rooting for Ward, but honestly I think Kovalev will win a decision with a possible knockdown thrown in.

Of course, having said that, Kovalev's inability to get a stoppage against an ancient B-Hop may be a preview of what he's going to face in a very experienced fighter like Ward.

Either way, they don't get along, so they gotta get it on!

No concerns about Ward's physical transition to 175 from 168, simply because he won an Olympic Gold Medal at 175 pounds years ago and is currently well proportioned for a light heavyweight. That being said, when asked about handling power he will often reference Edison Miranda, a strong puncher, but still a natural middleweight whose descent started when he was beat up by Kelly Pavlik a couple of years before Ward decisioned him at 168. Kovalez hits a lot harder then that guy. In a masterful performance against Carl Froch he faded a bit in the last two rounds. Since that fight five years ago he beat a weight drained declining Chad Dawson, and four other guys a couple of tiers below him. His inactivity and opposition over the last five years does not put him on a perfect trajectory to do battle with a fighter of Kovalez's caliber.

Of course, having said that, Kovalev's inability to get a stoppage against an ancient B-Hop may be a preview of what he's going to face in a very experienced fighter like Ward.

Hmmm...B-Hop did lose every round. Kovalez's technical skill combined with his power COULD be a tough problem for Ward.

Intangibles favoring Ward? He's a great fighter who is getting a lot of people to bet on him, and interviews I've seen with trainer John David Jackson show CLEAR concern-Virgil Hill is even questioning Sergio's discipline in following corner advice. This was partly brought up because GGG trainer Abel Sanchez let Kovalez go years ago because he strayed too much from the program, and apparently wasn't a joy to work with.

In other words I have NO idea who will win this fight, but it should be a great one.

[gmac0322]

Re: Kovalez-Ward 3 Days Away (11-19-16)

Ahhhh.. the beauty of close match up with so many variables and questions. Sit back and enjoy fellas. Straight pick em fight. I can see it going either way. I have my beer already for this one. The true winner will be boxing fans sat night hopefully. Cheers!

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[N51_rob]

Re: Kovalez-Ward 3 Days Away (11-19-16)

I want to get this fight, but Wards inactivity will keep me from purchasing sadly. Does that make me a bad fight fan?

[JayBee74]

Re: Kovalez-Ward 3 Days Away (11-19-16)

I want to get this fight, but Wards inactivity will keep me from purchasing sadly. Does that make me a bad fight fan?

You think Ward will get beat badly?

[N51_rob]

Re: Kovalez-Ward 3 Days Away (11-19-16)

You think Ward will get beat badly?

No I've got him winning and like him, just the lack of activity bothers me as a fan. I want to see him ply his trade, and haven't really been able too should I reward that with a PPV buy?

[JayBee74]

Re: Kovalez-Ward 3 Days Away (11-19-16)

No I've got him winning and like him, just the lack of activity bothers me as a fan. I want to see him ply his trade, and haven't really been able too should I reward that with a PPV buy?

The reward factor is not a consideration for me, although Ward's performance in the Super Six should get him a lifetime exemption from having to earn a PPV fight. This is simply a great match-up and that's the only criteria I need for buying it.

[redsrule]

Re: Kovalez-Ward 3 Days Away (11-19-16)

The reward factor is not a consideration for me, although Ward's performance in the Super Six should get him a lifetime exemption from having to earn a PPV fight. This is simply a great match-up and that's the only criteria I need for buying it.

His performance in the Super Six was great, but that's been what, 5+ years ago? He's had WAY too much inactivity, during his prime years when he's been arguably the best fighter in the world.

Edit: This will be his 6th fight in the 5 years since then, with every single one save Chad Dawson being a pushover.

[JayBee74]

Re: Kovalez-Ward 3 Days Away (11-19-16)

His performance in the Super Six was great, but that's been what, 5+ years ago? He's had WAY too much inactivity, during his prime years when he's been arguably the best fighter in the world.

Edit: This will be his 6th fight in the 5 years since then, with every single one save Chad Dawson being a pushover.

So you're not getting the fight?

EDIT: This is the Fight Of The Century for me-not quite up to the Duran-Hagler-Leonards matchups in the day but the best in a long time (IMO). I can certainly understand why some boxing fans wouldn't pay to see it, especially if they're lukewarm on Ward, because Russian Sergio is not going to bring in a stampede of American buyers. By the way-guaranteed purses-Kovalez $7 million, Ward $5 million, with a chance for more.

[redsrule]

Re: Kovalez-Ward 3 Days Away (11-19-16)

It's the best fight in boxing in quite some time, but that's not saying much. Ward's style doesn't endear himself to fans either.

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[pietasterp]

Re: Kovalez-Ward 3 Days Away (11-19-16)

Hmmm...B-Hop did lose every round. Kovalez's technical skill combined with his power COULD be a tough problem for Ward.

No question Kovalev will be as much as (if not more than) Ward can handle. I think Kovalev wins the fight. I was just grasping for reasons to try to like Ward in this one.

As everyone else in the thread has mentioned, way too much inactivity and lack of rounds with quality fighters at this point for Ward. He hasn't been in with a guy like Kovalev in....maybe ever. And he's getting on the wrong side of his peak years. I dunno, I just can't find a reason to pick SOG at this point. But I hope I'm wrong.

[sheredia]

Re: Kovalez-Ward 3 Days Away (11-19-16)

No question Kovalev will be as much as (if not more than) Ward can handle. I think Kovalev wins the fight. I was just grasping for reasons to try to like Ward in this one.

As everyone else in the thread has mentioned, way too much inactivity and lack of rounds with quality fighters at this point for Ward. He hasn't been in with a guy like Kovalev in....maybe ever. And he's getting on the wrong side of his peak years. I dunno, I just can't find a reason to pick SOG at this point. But I hope I'm wrong.

sadly, not a ppv buy for me.....first time ppv for either fighter and limited activity from ward hurts this one. not only that, hardly any sports bars carrying it as well, which should say a lot about this fight. (would have seen it if one close by was showing it.) ward has a slight edge due to pure boxing ability but it will come down to how good ward's chin is.

[JayBee74]

Re: Kovalez-Ward 3 Days Away (11-19-16)

Chilemba did not answer the bell for round nine. Good win for the up and coming Gvozdyk.

Earlier Curtis Stevens survived an injured left hand in the fourth round and a low blow point deduction late to beat De Le Rosa 98-90, 96-92, 96-92. Lederman scored it a draw. I had Stevens winning but 98-90 was a bit too much. Gutsy win for Curtis who scored a knockdown in the first round, but whose vaunted left hook lost it's juice and frequency of use after the injury.

[JayBee74]

Re: Kovalez-Ward 3 Days Away (11-19-16)

Ward hurt by a jab in the first round and knocked down in the 2nd.