Ward/Kovalev 2...who wins?

[TitoFan]

Aside from all the expert "Monday morning quarterbacking", I'll just admit to being befuddled at how Kovalev had the fight stopped...... from all angles. Were Ward's shots low? IMO, yes. Was Kovalev frustrated by the various low blows he received? Yes. Why didn't Kovalev try to retaliate in kind... being the bully he's been? I haven't the foggiest idea. Did the ref do the fight thing? I guess. Kovalev doubled over and was offering no resistance, leaving the ref no choice. That is what surprises me the most. Kovalev was an angry fighter coming into the fight. He knew what to expect. So what happened? We'll never know. Does any of this take away from Ward? No. I was rooting for Kovalev, but the better man won. At least the man who appeared to want it the most. Now Ward has another "title" to add to S.O.G. He can now claim p4p #1. He'll get an argument for sure... but he can at least force himself into the discussion. He'll probably add a few bums to his record, retire undefeated, and challenge Floyd for TBE rights, no matter how ludicrous. Kov really let me down.

[powerpuncher]

Kovalev put up on twitter yesterday admitting that ward fought well and fought better than the first fight. And he wants another fight with him. Nothing about the low blows, just about having to fight two people in the ring (obviously meaning the ref).

[X]

Viewpoint #1: Ward is an all time great. Undefeated, supremely intelligent and adaptable in the ring during fights. Blazinglu fast hands and the best infighter since Roberto Duran.

Viewpoint #2: Ward is hugely overrated. Long periods of inactivity, cherry picking opponent, always has the lions share of any contract terms and conditions. A boring fighter, always fights dirty, leading with his head, elbowing after missing punches, low blows galore.

[erics44]

is ward lb4lb tho, is a win over froch and 2 over kov in 6 years enough to put you at that level?

his next best win was either Kessler, which was an atrocious fight, or Dawson?

[erics44]

look at some of his other wins too, ones that look decent on paper

Allan Green on points, all the trouble in the world v sakio bika, less than convincing win against AA, even 9 rounds with paul smith, Miranda on points

all these fighters have been beaten much more convincingly by other fighters

[Primo Carnera]

look at some of his other wins too, ones that look decent on paper

Allan Green on points, all the trouble in the world v sakio bika, less than convincing win against AA, even 9 rounds with paul smith, Miranda on points

all these fighters have been beaten much more convincingly by other fighters

Ok. If he's not , who is. It's ok saying "who has he beat?" , but he's been no.1 in his division, stepped up and no.1 in the next division, and over a long period of time.
When he was inactive, I was his biggest critic, but now he's active you have to give credit where it's due.
Tell me another fighter who has beaten somebody else in the top 5 p4p in his last 2 fights? Not even Floyd did that.
So , again, if he isn't, fine, but who is?

[erics44]

look at some of his other wins too, ones that look decent on paper

Allan Green on points, all the trouble in the world v sakio bika, less than convincing win against AA, even 9 rounds with paul smith, Miranda on points

all these fighters have been beaten much more convincingly by other fighters

Ok. If he's not , who is. It's ok saying "who has he beat?" , but he's been no.1 in his division, stepped up and no.1 in the next division, and over a long period of time.
When he was inactive, I was his biggest critic, but now he's active you have to give credit where it's due.
Tell me another fighter who has beaten somebody else in the top 5 p4p in his last 2 fights? Not even Floyd did that.
So , again, if he isn't, fine, but who is?

well it might be opinion that ward would beat anyone at any weight but I personally think to have a lb4lb it has to be based on stats and there are a few fighters with better recent records

canelo, golovkin, loma, pac, and probably a few more have better recent records than ward, more names

and you have to consider circumstance, for one all the fighters above are fighting away from home

ward beating kov in America with 3 American judges and an American ref was an impressive result no doubt, but was it even as impressive as Kov getting the rough end of a decision against ward in America with an American ref and 3 American judges?