Ward-Kovalev II, June 17th, Las Vegas

https://twitter.com/ChrisMannixYS/status/849301337430994945

 

rigondeaux vs chucky flores June 17th, with this aforementioned rematch as the walk out fight

 

*Robin Harris voice* Rigondeux? Rigondeux? Sounds like somethin you catch on your feet!

 

I expect Son of Gifts to win a non-gift this time. Once again, I'm rooting for Kovalev to murder him.

 

I expect Kovalev to get his revenge (via decision)

 

Hoping Kovalev gets his revenge, but with Ward having more time to fill out at the weight now, he may just be more comfortable this time.

Ward via close UD.

 

I think Kov will let his hands go a little more this fight seeing as Ward couldn't really hurt him.

 

Which Begs the Question, WHY Didn't Kovalev Do That Last Fight???...






REED

 

Thong is, with the way Ward fights, kov had the right strategy - keep it outside. If he resorts to a rougher fight, it could favor ward.

 

Not sure. Maybe he overrated Wards countering abilities? Maybe stamina was a concern? Maybe Ward doesn't hit as hard as he thought?

 

Ward will definitely try to make it uglier this time.

His mistake in the first fight was thinking Kov is some slow buffoon like Froch. He came to find out that on top of the power, Kov is athletic and can box.

In-close, Ward definitely has the edge. Kov needs extension on his power punches to be effective.

 

They are pretty evenly matched. It'll be another close fight.

 

Ward deserves credit for giving rematch but he doesn't really have too many options. For kov, he stands to lose the most. If he loses, it's "like" he got beat twice by ward.

 

Great fight. Props to both.

Historically, the best thing that could happen for Ward is to get knocked out, dominate the rubber match, and go on to multiple wins before retiring.

Likewise, Kovalev needs to win 2 of 3.

 

Ward changed tactics and or picked it up a little bit, ......so Kovalev started looking like the axe-man. :crafty:

 

Cards to look the same, ward to deserve it this time

 

I pick the smarter boxer to win easier this time.

 

Good. This rematch needs to happen.

 

I think the rematch will be a better fight.

This time Kovalev is going to try to get the KO, and Andre Ward because of his pride is going to be willing to do anything to maintain his "0". It's going to be a war.

 

Psychologically, Kovalev Needs to REMOVE the Idea of Being "Robbed" from his Mindset...By Continuing to HARP on It, he Runs the Risk of Thinking he DOESN'T Need to Change a Thing in the RE...

And if he Fights as he Did Last Time, he Could End Up LOSING Again...

Kovalev Needs to Put Some HURT on Ward, Which he Did the 1st Couple Rounds...But Slooooooowly and SURELY, the Bout Became More and More TACTICAL...And While Kovalev IS Skilled and Talented Enough to Win Tactically, that's NOT the Recipe to Beat Andre Ward, Convincingly...

Kovalev Needs to IMPROVE his Work Rate from Last Fight, Punch his Way OUT of Clinches and Even Be Willing to TAKE Some to Land his Own...You DON'T Match Wits w/a Tactical Boxer, you FIGHT His Ass...





REED:Mot:

 

Not Sure if WAR will Ensue, but agREED the RE Should Be MORE Fan Friendly...

Kovalev and Ward were GENTLEMANLY Leading Up to the Last Fight, Whereas Genuine CONTEMPT Now Exists btwn Them...Hopefully, that Makes for More Fireworks in the RE...





REED:fig:

 

I think the only reason Kovalev lost last time (although the fight was very close) was because he slowed down somewhat in the second half of the fight. Kovalev can win with EXACTLY the same fight plan as last time...just have more stamina this time. Kovalev can outbox Ward. I think Ward is the one who has to make it a fight, actually.

It's a Leonard-Hearns type deal: To beat Leonard, Hearns had to box and to beat Hearns, Leonard had to slug. Reversal of roles.

 

Was talking with a co-worker about this today. My gut tells me Ward picks up where he left off and wins a clear and decisive UD.

Kovalev had big moments early but as the fight went on you could see Ward had figured him out which allowed him to rally. Kovalev stopped using his jab as much as the fight wore on but I think that was a result of what Ward did more than anything. Ward managed to take away his best weapon.

Kovalev will always have the threat of knocking Ward out but like you said, once it becomes a chess match it works to Ward's favor. I was surprised at how well Kovalev fought early but the later rounds showed a couple things...1) he doesn't invest enough in body work. 2). he can't do shit going backward.

 

Ward Did Some SUBTLE Bodywork that May have Compromised Kovalev's Stamina a Bit...

Ward Will Have to Reestablish RESPECT from Kovalev, but he Simply LACKS the Weapons to Win a "Fight" w/Sergey...A "Boxing Match", Yes, but NOT a "Fight"...






REED:mj:

 

Kovy was a pretty clear winner last time out imo. Sure, Ward turned the fight around a bit, but even in the latter rounds, the rounds could pretty much go either way. I disagree with Reed that Kovalev need to be more aggressive. On the contrary, if he fights recklessly, he,ll get counterd more. He need to stick to his jab (which he neglect in the later half of the first fight), and hell win this one clearly

 

Kovalev Definitely HEAD HUNTED After Dropping Ward Early...And Yes, he was QUITE Inept Off his Back Foot...

Which is Why it's Imperative he Make a FIGHT Out of This...Constantly Coming Forward, Active Arms, ENGAGING Ward All BUT Recklessly (But if he Needs to TAKE 1-2 to GET AT Ward, So Be It)...





REED:mj:

 

He was compelled to contractually

 

For being a tactical boxer, Ward sure spends a lot of time trying to get inside and clinch.

I think it is a mistake if Kov tries to fight inside.

 

You DO Realize Clinching Can Be Used TACTICALLY, Right???...

REED Ain't Suggesting Kovalev Morph Into Joe Frazier, Looking to Plany his Chin Against Ward's Chest, but he DOES Need to Be MORE Aggressive, LESS Measured, in the RE...






REED:hammert: