Sergey Kovalev vs Andre Ward: 5 biggest takeaways

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Andre Ward overcame a vicious knockdown to rally and dethrone WBA/WBO/IBF light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev via three identical, and controversial, scores of 114-113. Kovalev-Ward was fascinating and has already prompted raging post-fight debate.

It was the sort of cagey, throwback fight that demanded 15 rounds. Scoring controversy aside, Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward produced a rare seesaw fight grounded in tactical sophistication and subtle momentum shifts, as opposed to brutal, raw action. It was a fight that demands a second viewing, if only to scrutinize the judging.

Early on, it appeared that the faith so many fans and pundits had placed in Andre Ward — faith that he could replicate his Super Six World Boxing Classic form, and faith that his skills were too nuanced for Sergey Kovalev — was misguided. A crushing second-round knockdown had Ward on the verge of losing for the first time in nearly two decades, and a coronation of the “Krusher” seemed imminent.

But then a curious thing happened. Andre Ward, who had never fallen behind in a championship fight or faced crippling adversity at the elite level, showed a previously unearthed facet of his craft: mental fortitude that few athletes — let alone boxers — possess. Ward may not have deserved the decision, but it’s impossible to argue that he didn’t work his way back into the fight and eventually seize control.

LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 19: Andre Ward celebrates after his unanimous-decision victory over Sergey Kovalev in their light heavyweight title bout at T-Mobile Arena on November 19, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Kovalev, though, had built a significant early lead and was nearly able to go punch-for-punch with Ward during the bout’s absorbing second half. The Russian confirmed that he has skills to match his otherworldly power, and he should feel confident about the prospect of a rematch. So, with so many factors and variables to consider and contemplate, here are five takeaways from Sergey Kovalev-Andre Ward.

LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 19: Andre Ward celebrates after winning his light heavyweight championship bout against Sergey Kovalev at T-Mobile Arena on November 19, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ward took Kovalev’s WBA, IBF and WBO titles with a unanimous-decision victory. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The decision was controversial, but not a robbery

In his post-fight monologue, HBO’s Max Kellerman made one particularly salient point: there’s a significant difference between a controversial decision and an outright robbery. And regardless of what one feels about the result of Kovalev-Ward — and it could be viewed as entirely suspect — the three identical scorecards were hardly a travesty.

That said, general consensus seems to be that Kovalev did enough to win the fight, even though a solid cohort of fans and pundits feel Ward had legitimately earned his 114-113 victory. Ironically, though, the debate and mild controversy this has fostered could be positive for boxing. For once, disagreements will be grounded more in breaking down contrasting styles and approaches — Kovalev’s purposeful early pressure versus Ward’s later rally behind sharp boxing and ruthless in-fighting — and not outright institutional corruption.

One unfortunate reality worth noting, however, is that all three judges somehow saw fit to give Andre Ward round ten, a stanza where Kovalev appeared to have a clear edge. Over three torrid minutes, Kovalev and Ward exchanged punishing single shots as the action seesawed. But the difference was that Kovalev’s blows appeared to do more damage, and the Russian punctuated this with a clean right hand that seemed to leave no doubt about the round’s winner. This is the sort of issue that is legitimately frustrating.

This was a significant moment as Ward, during rounds seven through nine, had taken control of the fight, scoring with his jab, right hand to the body and forcing Kovalev to engage on the inside. And it’s because of minor — yet crucial — moments such as round ten that Kovalev-Ward demands a second viewing and even closer scoring scrutiny.

LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 19: (L-R) Sergey Kovalev of Russia knocks down Andre Ward during the second round of their light heavyweight title bout at T-Mobile Arena on November 19, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Kovalev surrendered the initiative after scoring the knockdown

Of all the potential outcomes that were offered when breaking down Kovalev-Ward, an early Kovalev knockout — while certainly possible because of the Russian’s vaunted power — would have registered as stunning. Ward, conventional wisdom dictated, was too intelligent a ring general and skilled a boxer to get clipped cold.

And yet, Kovalev-Ward seemed like it would be over inside of three rounds after Kovalev floored Ward with a perfect counter right hand that simply beat Ward’s simultaneous punch to the target. It was an impressive display of power and technique from Kovalev, who had Ward on unsteady legs but didn’t have enough time to follow up. But even though Ward was rescued by a merciful bell, the sense was that it would take every ounce of Ward’s savvy to make it out of round three.

Kovalev should be kicking himself for how willingly he surrendered the initiative as early as round three, permitting Ward to slow the tempo, work behind his jab and clinch. Kovalev only tentatively stalked Ward, and seemed hesitant to let his right hand go with conviction. He also failed to cut off the ring effectively for significant stretches.

Uncharacteristically, Kovalev showed a wounded foe too much respect. Indeed, Ward proved throughout the fight that he could land stinging, accurate shots, but Kovalev was perhaps unnecessarily concerned about absorbing a fight-altering counter.

Although it’s impossible to say that Kovalev could have done anything to guarantee an early knockout, he deserves some criticism for readily falling into a pattern of following Ward and failing to keep the American on the end of his punches.

LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 19: Referee Robert Byrd issues a standing eight-count to Andre Ward after being knocked down by Sergey Kovalev during the second round of their light heavyweight title bout at T-Mobile Arena on November 19, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Andre Ward’s recovery was something special

First of all, let’s not get carried away. Yes, Ward showed elite recuperative powers and the ability to methodically execute sound tactics under extreme duress. However, it’s not as if Ward boxed an utter masterclass as soon as he rose from that crushing second-round knockdown. Kovalev-Ward, from round three until the final bell, was hotly contested.

However, it’s one thing to rise from a knockdown and find a way to survive. It’s an entirely different accomplishment to get up from being badly hurt and then impose one’s game plan and start to win rounds convincingly. Ward, somehow, accomplished the latter.

Throughout his time as a champion, which included running roughshod over elite competition during the Super Six World Boxing Classic. Ward had never faced serious adversity. Indeed, Ward had been in some grueling fights, but he always managed to outclass his competition, build healthy leads on the scorecards and avoid getting rocked or knocked down.

But against Kovalev, when everything was going against him, Ward somehow managed to unearth a reserve of physical and mental fortitude — combined with truly unique boxing skills — to wrest control of the fight’s tempo.

Against Kovalev — regardless of whether one feels he was gifted a victory — Ward showed rare resolve. Even if he had officially lost the fight, Ward proved he can rally and that his mental fortitude is perhaps unrivaled. Given how admirably he fought, a first professional defeat would have still seen Ward rise in the esteem of fans and pundits, and the fact that he was controversially declared the winner shouldn’t detract from this.

LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 19: (L-R) Andre Ward battles Sergey Kovalev of Russia during their light heavyweight title bout at T-Mobile Arena on November 19, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Both Ward and Kovalev can be equally confident in a rematch

In a sense, the ideal outcome of Sergey Kovalev-Andre Ward was a fight that necessitated a rematch. Well, mission accomplished. It’s reasonable to argue that the wrong man won, but controversy aside, Kovalev-Ward was ultra compelling and highly competitive — with multiple momentum swings and raging debate about whose style was ultimately more effective.

Kovalev has unsurprisingly exercised his rematch clause, and Andre Ward, despite his caginess, appears game. What’s fascinating, though, is that there was nothing definitive enough in the first fight to be able to pick an obvious winner in a return bout.

Much like the analysis heading into Kovalev-Ward, there are so many offsetting and mitigating factors to consider: Kovalev did knock Ward down and had him reeling, so conventional wisdom suggests he can replicate this. However, Ward, once he settled into the fight, sapped Kovalev’s energy and power with body shots, and he started to outbox the “Krusher.”

In a rematch, Kovalev may take more risks and commit to throwing his right hand with consistent authority, leading to a stoppage. Or, Ward, after tasting Kovalev’s power, will quickly settle into the rhythm he discovered during the fight’s second half and box his way to a clear points win.

Any of these scenarios are possible. Kovalev’s vaunted power remains the matchup’s greatest variable, and Ward’s ruggedness and crafty boxing may not befuddle the Russian to such a paralyzing extent next time. Ward, though, did manage to negate Kovalev’s right hand for much of the fight — a stunning development for which Kovalev had few answers. Will Ward simply build off his strong finish, or will Kovalev correct the mistakes that saw him surrender his early dominance? Luckily, boxing fans will get to find out.

LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 19: (R-L) Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev of Russia trade punches during the first round of their light heavyweight title bout at T-Mobile Arena on November 19, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Kovalev-Ward delivered in a way boxing rarely does anymore

Kovalev-Andre Ward wasn’t an instant classic. It didn’t feature flowing, simultaneous exchanges or the kind of raw, video game action that so many fans crave. And yet, Kovalev-Ward was fascinating and almost unbearably tense from the opening bell, fully living up to expectations as the predicted chess match between two of the sport’s best pound-for-pound fighters.

Slugging similar to any Arturo Gatti-Micky Ward fight was never in the cards, but that’s not what fans wanted from Kovalev-Ward. Instead, this was a fight to answer pressing questions: Could Ward replicate his circa 2012 form? Could Ward, the master boxer, disarm Kovalev, the unstoppable destroyer? Would Kovalev’s impressive boxing skills effectively translate against the most sophisticated opponent of his career? Could Ward overcome the adversity that would inevitably follow after Kovalev hit him flush?

Boxing fans were given answers to all these questions. Indeed, Ward showed he is still elite, even though he is nearing the end of his athletic prime. After struggling early, Ward did manage to disarm Kovalev’s vaunted right hand and fight back with aplomb; on the other hand. Kovalev, even though he struggled for significant stretches after a torrid start, showed his boxing skills more than stand up to Ward’s. And finally, Ward somehow dug deep to rise from that second round knockdown, turning what looked like a shocking Kovalev coronation into a fascinating struggle.

Kovalev-Ward also produced that extra bit of drama that will ensure it enters the annals of boxing’s storied history. The controversial decision and the tactics employed by both men will be scrutinized and debated for years — even if a rematch produces a more decisive result. Kovalev and Ward are not crossover stars, but for now they’ve managed — through their skills and the broader narrative of their fight — to elevate the sport.

Make no mistake, the result of Kovalev-Ward should be argued. However, in no way should what transpired last night be viewed as another one of the many black eyes boxing gives itself. Kovalev-Ward was the sweet science at its best, and the decision and tactical nuances of the first fight make a rematch even more tantalizing. But here’s the pressing question: Who do you think won Kovalev-Ward? Let us know in the comments.

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