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What happens to each fighter if they win..let's say a rematch is not needed as the decision was quite clear..
Ward wins:- he could fight the winner of degale/jack and hang on for a fight with GGG? (Weight permitting)
Kovalev wins:- Perhaps get the rest of the belts at 175 and dominate the crusierweight divison?
What should each fighter do?
I think it's more interesting to know what will happen to each fighter if they lose
depending on the manner of the loss obviously
I'd like to think that the winner would fight Stevenson and finally unify the division, but I doubt Stevenson wants any part of either guy! ;D
If Ward loses then his recent career and lack of momentum will be to blame. Ward will have to rebuild but I think he could beat Stevenson.
Kov will aim to unify but he does have a rival compatriot that he could fight next.
Stevenson didn't even want any part of Pascal, I think he might have even lost that one. He's good don't get me wrong, but almost 40 and has really shown no interest in doing anything for the last couple of years. Beterbiev(who also fights out of Montreal) is more of a threat and more likely to fight the winner of KOv/Ward, although I don't know whether he was affected by his layoff and injury, or what's in the works for him.
I think Stevenson is very physically gifted and has talent, but he lacks the skill of a Kovalev who can punch but also think in the ring, and of course yes he's also old now. He knows he can't match skills with Kovalev, who will most likely knock him out, or Andre, who will most likely embarrass him.
This is interesting because the winner will have limited options. If Kov wins , Stevenson will avoid him even more. who else is there? it's all well and good saying "go up to CW", but
a. there's not much money in the division and
b. People underestimate the fact that it is 25lbs north of LHW!
If Ward wins , I doubt he gets back down to SMW, so he just has to wait for somebody to knock him off his perch!
This all goes to show that for many reasons, this was the only fight out there for both of them and had to happen.
there is only one possibility for either of them if they win to enhance their profile and make big money, and that is Beterbiev!
Yes, I don't see why anyone would aspire to go to cruiser weight. It's like aspiring to move to Iowa.
Ward Wins - If its a "hug n slug" victory, he declares he's pound for pound champ of the universe... "We broke him down.. that's what i do with fighters, i take away their weapons..." then takes some soft wallet padding mandatories while trying to goad Kovalev into a 90/10 split while he gets a name from 168 to bloat up before retiring.. If he takes a drubbing and gets a robbery decision of some kind. He'll stall or be injured and drag it out and do the same. Really no difference here, he'll want money for as little trouble as possible and then want to retire.
If Kovalev wins by a KO, he rematches.. if he loses he rematches. Like he did with pascal.
Stevenson is never coming as he'd rather slink out the side door earning side money..and the once outside, scream through the window how everyone was afraid of him and he would have beat both.
Just my opinion.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Primo Carnera
I don't think Beterbiev represents much of a payday though? The winner could always go up to CW and beat Bellew:p
I know what you're saying about Beterbiev and the money , but they could hype that up. The man that beat Kov in the ams, the beast novice that ko'd Cloud. The new Drago!Quote:
Originally Posted by p4pkingQuote:
Originally Posted by Primo Carnera
I don't think Beterbiev represents much of a payday though? The winner could always go up to CW and beat Bellew:p
Bellew is an option because it would be an easy payday for both of them , but only if they want to come to the UK. I'm sure that's no problem for Kov, but Ward wants that money without crossing the street.
Perhaps, KOing Cloud isn't much of a selling point though. That guy was basically exposed, lost 4 straight and retired. Beterbiev looked like he was getting big momentum at that point but has just been treading along since, through no fault of his own I'm sure.
I've never seen this Gvozdyk guy who is fighting Chilemba on the undercard of Ward-Kova, if he's really good and makes a statement then that might make sense. Looking through the rankings, outside of him or Beterbiev there really isn't anyone who is in a position to be an interesting opponent for the winner, assuming Aducknis doesn't want to cash out with a real fight.
Beterbiev looks like a real beast!
Lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by vidgil
Mate, I don't live in America but I think the English alternative to Iowa would probably be slough or erith.
Depressing.
You're right, and that goes back to the first sentence of my OP. There's not much out there for the winner . Of course people will say "he should do this" or " he should fight so and so" in reality it doesn't really work like that, it's never that easy.Quote:
Originally Posted by p4pking
If Ward loses he has all the options in the world as for Kov who has a great chance to win he is kinda fucked CW just not that great of divsion the biggest fight there was Holyfeild vs Dwight and that was in the 80's. I am not sure how much weight Kov cuts but he could try to go to heavyweight he would get bigger payday and if he wins some fights people would really get excited be good for his legacy as well but that is a huge jump.
We all want a Kovalev-Stevenson fight. A duel of sluggers that won't go to the limit. I used to think that Stevenson's power and explosiveness would prevail against the very technical yet robotic style of Kovy but I am not sure about that anymore.... *Cross fingers*, we'll need it as Main Event and GYM do not exactly have the best of relations at the moment.Quote:
Originally Posted by vidgil
Why would you have ever thought that? Kovalev would beat the shit out of Stevenson, who clearly doesn't want the fight.
Why we have to care about it
Can see a loss being devastating to either but would think they would take time to appreciate the level they were facing and continue on. The simple fact that we have the 175 division arguably deciding a..or the..top notch p4p claim is amazing. Prior to this being made there was a massive gap where Wards desire and drive could be rightfully questioned, a devastating loss would seem to open both doors to either rededicate or even pack it in. Kovalev on his side has cocooned himself into some kind of one man wrecking crew of invincibility and a one sided hiding or being outclassed might just be more devastating than if he was caught early. That babble said I think both clown Stevenson who has seemingly gone out of his way to avoid a confrontation and still reminds me of a rigid legged top heavy Sam Peter.
Why do people want Kovalev to go to cruiserweight? No money there.
Light heavyweight is loaded with talent.
I'd like to see the winner fight Beterbiev, Browne, Bivol, Gvozdyk, Shabranskyy, Alvarez and/or Stevenson.
Nobody wants to go to cruiserweight... there's more money in flipping burgers at McDonalds!
I suspect Kovalev will win a UD or a late stoppage.
But if Ward wins this fight... wow! He is the #1 p4p for sure, and the rightful heir to the throne!
Cruiserweight is indeed quite barren.
Ward is probably too small to become a proper CW in his prime (he may bulk up when he gets older).
Kovalev could do CW, and he would beat the crap out of Bellew.
However, I'd love to see him against Usyk, who I rate really highly.
When Kov beats ward, Stevenson and Beterbiev he can go up an dominate Cruiserweight.Quote:
Originally Posted by X
easier said than done. It's taken long enough to get the Ward fight on, He'll be 50 by the time Stevenson and Beterbiev fights are made.Quote:
Originally Posted by MasterWhen Kov beats ward, Stevenson and Beterbiev he can go up an dominate Cruiserweight.Quote:
Originally Posted by X
Quote:
Originally Posted by X
True! But at least Kovalev has a deadly punch...
...Andre can't even hurt guys at 168 with his "power"!
At CW, he might as well be slapping guys with a wet dishrag!
if ward wins hell fight cleverly next
If kovalev can't get Stevenson or beterbiev right after the ward fight, he might as well go to cruiserweight. There are some decent fights at LHW for him, but I think that he will get more respect by beating cruiserweights. And becoming the man in 2 divisions.
If Ward wins, he needs to stay at LHW and just fight whoever he is able to. Knowing his inactivity though, I wouldn't be surprised if kovalev is really his last big fight. He may fight a few more times, but ward has said multiple times that he doesn't want to fight too long and wants to think about his life after boxing.
If Kov wins then Cleverly will be hiding in the toilet.Quote:
Originally Posted by erics44
Cleverly is useless.
If Ward wins he can go up and beat his movie star mate..the one and only Tony bellow..surely that will sell well?
Bellow would be completely outclassed.
5 more days and I can honestly say that this is the best evenly matched and anticipated fight for a long time.
I will happily give kovalev the praise he deserves if he beats Ward and the winner is easily pound for pound in my opinion.
Hopefully Ward will win and put on a masterful display of boxing which is what I expect...
You think Kovalev would beat Usyk? SMDHQuote:
Originally Posted by MasterWhen Kov beats ward, Stevenson and Beterbiev he can go up an dominate Cruiserweight.Quote:
Originally Posted by X
I hope that fight comes to fruition so you can see how wrong you are.
You are right he could not beat Usyk never mind Bellew. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron SwansonYou think Kovalev would beat Usyk? SMDHQuote:
Originally Posted by MasterWhen Kov beats ward, Stevenson and Beterbiev he can go up an dominate Cruiserweight.Quote:
Originally Posted by X
I hope that fight comes to fruition so you can see how wrong you are.
I think people are underestimating the enormity of wards taskQuote:
Originally Posted by imp
kovalev is an outstanding fighter, he stays in the pocket and is very accurate and punches very hard and very often
and ward has fought no one for 4 years or what ever, including fighting absolutely no one for a long period of that time
I just cant see ward winning
I know people will say I told you so if he does mind :)
I have to say tho ive seen the two of them stood next to each other and theres not that much difference in size
in fact on some photos ward looks bigger
Dunno about Usyk, but Kov would beat Bellew every day of the week and twice on Sundays, even if Bellew came in at 18 Stone!Quote:
Originally Posted by MasterYou are right he could not beat Usyk never mind Bellew. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron SwansonYou think Kovalev would beat Usyk? SMDHQuote:
Originally Posted by MasterWhen Kov beats ward, Stevenson and Beterbiev he can go up an dominate Cruiserweight.Quote:
Originally Posted by X
I hope that fight comes to fruition so you can see how wrong you are.
Size shouldn't really come into it. Although Ward was a SMW , in the Amateurs he was a LHW , and I think at his age he is a proper out and out LHW Now.Quote:
Originally Posted by erics44
This is a huge task for Ward but it's as simple as doing exactly what he always does..if he just sticks to boxing in exactly the same way and stays out of the battles he wins the decision.Quote:
Originally Posted by erics44I think people are underestimating the enormity of wards taskQuote:
Originally Posted by imp
kovalev is an outstanding fighter, he stays in the pocket and is very accurate and punches very hard and very often
and ward has fought no one for 4 years or what ever, including fighting absolutely no one for a long period of that time
I just cant see ward winning
I know people will say I told you so if he does mind :)
I was joking.Quote:
Originally Posted by Primo CarneraDunno about Usyk, but Kov would beat Bellew every day of the week and twice on Sundays, even if Bellew came in at 18 Stone!Quote:
Originally Posted by MasterYou are right he could not beat Usyk never mind Bellew. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron SwansonYou think Kovalev would beat Usyk? SMDHQuote:
Originally Posted by MasterWhen Kov beats ward, Stevenson and Beterbiev he can go up an dominate Cruiserweight.Quote:
Originally Posted by X
I hope that fight comes to fruition so you can see how wrong you are.
Tbf, I thought you were, but I wasn't certain. 😉Quote:
Originally Posted by MasterI was joking.Quote:
Originally Posted by Primo CarneraDunno about Usyk, but Kov would beat Bellew every day of the week and twice on Sundays, even if Bellew came in at 18 Stone!Quote:
Originally Posted by MasterYou are right he could not beat Usyk never mind Bellew. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron SwansonYou think Kovalev would beat Usyk? SMDHQuote:
Originally Posted by MasterWhen Kov beats ward, Stevenson and Beterbiev he can go up an dominate Cruiserweight.Quote:
Originally Posted by X
I hope that fight comes to fruition so you can see how wrong you are.