Will the American officials be fair to Kovalev when he fights Ward?

[Freedom]

We've all seen foreign-born boxers be unfairly treated. It happens all over the world: UK, Germany, USA, etc. Ideally, referees and judges should be fair and impartial.

Nationalistic or biased referees can make a difference in fights, like we saw in Soto-Lorenzo (Joe Cortez), Mansour-Cunningham (Smoger is a friend of Cunningham), Lomachenko-Salido (Lawrence Cole), Martinez-Cintron (Frank Santore Jr), Hatton-Mayweather (Cortez again), and Kessler-Ward (Jack Reiss).

And we all know nationalistic boxing judges can ruin a boxer's efforts. Remember Kotelnik-Alexander, Pacquiao-Bradley I, Brewster-Meehan, and Sturm-De La Hoya?

Commentators who are rooting for one fighter over another can make a difference in public opinion. If the HBO commentators are rooting for one fighter over another, they can sway the viewers. We know Max Kellerman and the other American commentators will be rooting for Andre Ward, as will John Rawling (who doesn't like Russians) on the international feed if allegedly is covering it. Dan Rafael and other American boxing journalists may become nationalistic and score all the rounds for Ward, whether he wins them or not.

Do you believe Sergey Kovalev will get a fair shake when he fights Andre Ward?

[El Kabong]

Well the fight is scheduled for Las Vegas so that's good news as it's waaaaaaaaaay far away from Ward's backyard of Oakland/San Jose (like 9hrs by car so it's not New York or Atlantic City, but it's not Ward's backyard).

Refs and judges are hit and miss, I think it would behoove the NSAC for them to provide the fairest and most impartial ref and judges that they can find as well as the most experienced.


Aside from that, Andre Ward is a cagey fighter, I like Kovalev a lot in this fight, but he's got to land clean on Ward to do him in.



So, will the officials be fair? Depends on who they are, it really does, but I would expect everything to be on the up and up because boxing can't handle more scandals or it'll give up major ground to UFC yet again.

[powerpuncher]

I don't think there will be any favoritism, but I can't guarantee competent judges.

[Master]

Yes Kov will get a fair ride from American officials. Kov is practically a US fighter and does not need any help to beat Ward. Kov is too good and powerful .

[erics44]

he wont get any favours


America are looking for a new superstar

[Primo Carnera]

Kov got a fair shake against Bernard Hopkins and I'll think he'll get the same against Ward.
Just as much chance of a dodgy decision in the UK as in the States.
I don't think it's so much corruption, more bad judging .
I think what is more relevant is the refereeing. Ward is a highly skilled fighter, but different refs let him get away with a bit more holding and Head contact, and there may be an issue there.
Anyway, less of the negativity, I'm expecting a really interesting fight. Very technical.

[erics44]

ive been away for a couple of weeks


is it definitely happening now?

[Primo Carnera]

ive been away for a couple of weeks


is it definitely happening now?

now that's another question altogether. apparently it's a done deal, but I'll believe it when I see it.

[Master]

ive been away for a couple of weeks


is it definitely happening now?

where have you been?

[erics44]

ive been away for a couple of weeks


is it definitely happening now?

where have you been?

Switzerland and then Bristol, and interestingly the hotel in Zurich which we stayed was called the Hotel Bristol

[Primo Carnera]

ive been away for a couple of weeks


is it definitely happening now?

where have you been?

Switzerland and then Bristol, and interestingly the hotel in Zurich which we stayed was called the Hotel Bristol

and was the Hotel in Bristol called the Swiss Hotel?

[erics44]

ive been away for a couple of weeks


is it definitely happening now?

where have you been?

Switzerland and then Bristol, and interestingly the hotel in Zurich which we stayed was called the Hotel Bristol

and was the Hotel in Bristol called the Swiss Hotel?

Travelodge

[Master]

ive been away for a couple of weeks


is it definitely happening now?

where have you been?

Switzerland and then Bristol, and interestingly the hotel in Zurich which we stayed was called the Hotel Bristol

and was the Hotel in Bristol called the Swiss Hotel?

Travelodge

For a lazy worker you certainly go on a lot of holidays

[erics44]

the more you do with your mind the less you need to do with your legs

[palmerq]

Will Freedom be fair to Ward when he fights Kovalev?