I had ward winning 7 rounds of the last 10. As I said in the main thread..I had it 4-4 after 8 rounds. Even after 9 rounds (5-4 for ward but even because of the KD) then they split 10 and 11....and I thought Ward won the 12th. The 12th was the deciding round IMO and it could have been scored either way.
114-113 Ward was my score and I think it was fair. I would have not had a quarrel with 114-113 Kovalev either. But it was a one point fight.
I don't think he did but I didn't see this as a gift.... nearly all the last 10 rounds were close rounds and at least 8 of them were rounds you could've given ward. I think andre deserves huge credit for coming back and making that a fight of ebbs and flows, even imposing his fight for a stretch of rounds through 6-9 - it was badass. Reminiscent of marquez-pac I, if not quite. It's such a shame we don't have 15 rounders anymore where one guy or the other could really demonstrate greatness in a fight like that...12 rounders leave far, far too many inconclusive endings like this where you know you're one more ebb from really finding out who the better man who can fully impose himself on the other is but you never get to see it. it fucking sucks. What's leonard-Hearns I over 12? A question we'd still be asking, that's what for the record (as if anyone's keeping one) I had it to Kovalev by 3.
Both guys come out of this enhanced in my book. The judges not quite as much...but nobody rated them to begin with and their decision enhanced my bank balance a little so, really, it's smiles all round.
If you think Trump favors a black guy over a Russian, you're fooling yourself. If Trump decided, Kov would have won 12-0 and Ward would have been sent to the cotton field after the fight.
Both men proved why they had a claim to being the P4P. Both fought like proud champions. This was indeed a clash of the best vs the best. Ward proved his mettle and so too did Kovalev.
I don't think Trump's that bad. He did give two black guys victory in The Apprentice after all.... ;)
It was a very good fight, I agree. Both should see a rise in stock. I still feel Kovalev deserved the nod, but Ward showed heart by getting up from that knockdown figuring he had to be badly hurt. And he took some other hard shots and gave them back. Would like to see a rematch. But Ward is better suited to fight at 168 IMO.
Nah Ward is a legit 175lb fighter. This wasn't about size...Kovalev is just a very good fighter and hits hard. Ward showed true championship heart and versatility to be able to come back from that disastrous first 2 rounds and make it a fight. I thought it was over after the Knockdown.
