Unfortunately, it's a rare occasion in boxing when the best fight the best. Luckily, boxing fans will be treated to that fight tonight. The winner of tonight's fight between Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev will be unanimously crowned the new pound for pound king. As always, I am going to have a quick rundown on the background of the boxers as well as my prediction for the fight.
Sergey 'Krusher' Kovalev:
- 30-0-1 with 26 wins coming by KO
- 86% Knockout Rate
- Current Titles: WBO Light Heavyweight (2013-Present, 7 Defenses); WBA World Light Heavyweight (2013-Present, 8 defenses) IBF World Light Heavyweight (2014-Present, 5 Defenses)
- Notable Wins: Isaac Chilemba (July 2016); Jean Pascal (March 2015, January 2016); Bernard Hopkins (November 2014)
Andre 'Son of God' Ward:
- 30-0-0 with 15 wins coming by KO
- 50% Knockout Rate
- Current Titles: WBA Super World Super Middleweight
- Notable Wins: Sullivan Barrera (March 2016); Chad Dawson (September 2012); Carl Froch (December 2011); Arthur Abraham (May 2011); Mikkel Kessler (November 2011)
Both of these boxers have extremely impressive resumes, that's why both are unanimously agreed to be top 5 pound for pound fighters. That being said, someone will be going home with their first L while the other will being crowned the king of boxing. Let's take a look at the keys to victory for both fighters.
Keys to victory - Sergey Kovalev:
Because of Kovalev's knockout percentage, many fans assume that he is just a big puncher, this is not true; Kovalev has a boxing ability that is grossly underrated. He sets up shots well, he isn't just a head hunter, he has pretty good movement, and keeps a good defense. Kovalev has power in both hands, but definitely has a killer right hand, and you see him setting this up throughout his fights. If there is one deficiency in Kovalev's style, it would be his inside game. This has not really been an issue in his last fights, since Kovalev is typically able to control space with his jab. Kovalev needs to make sure that he does not allow Ward to get inside without dishing out some punishment.
Kovalev also needs to make sure that he isn't allowing Ward to get into rhythm. I believe Kovalev should keep his activity high and should look to press Ward as much as he can. Kovalev's last fight was against Isaac Chilemba, a smooth boxer who never let Kovalev set his feet. Kovalev did not look particularly impressive in this decision win, primarily due to the fact that Kovalev was never truly set up to throw his nasty combinations.
The general consensus in this fight is that Kovalev can only win by KO, and that Ward can only win by decision. Although I mostly agree with this sentiment, it is paramount that Kovalev should try to win rounds rather than just look for the knockout punch. Ward's defense is fantastic, and although it is not impossible to KO him, it is very unlikely, and if Kovalev does not stay busy enough, Ward will sail to a decision win.
Kevs to victory - Andre Ward
Andre Ward is the most complete fighter in boxing today. I have never seen a boxer be so masterful at so many different styles. He can outbox you, but he isn't one to back down from a brawl. You never truly know what you are going to get with Andre Ward, and that is exactly what makes him such a dangerous boxer to be in the ring with. Although Ward is not necessarily afraid of a war, he does not possess power, especially when compared to Kovalev. Even though Ward has been in the ring with big hitters, he has never been in there with a monster like Kovalev. Ward needs to neutralize Kovalev's power, and one great way to do this is to get inside as often as possible. Ward's inside game is far superior than Kovalev's, and if Ward can make this a physical, dirty, inside fight, he will have the clear advantage. Essentially, Ward needs to get Kovalev's respect. If Kovalev does not respect Ward's power, he wont have any fear walking him down.
Ward's movement is also much better than Kovalev's, and Kovalev tends to like being set up for his combinations, so when Ward does not have an opening to get inside and tangle Kovalev up, he should being circling the ring as much as possible so that Kovalev is never comfortable.
I really think that this fight is going to come down to who is the busier fighter. Both Ward and Kovalev are damn near unstoppable when they get off first. To me, this is the key to victory. You can't allow Kovalev to get set up and throw bombs. At the same time, there isn't a defense that Ward will not crack with his quickness, combinations, and precision.
Final Thoughts and Prediction:
I have never been so excited for any matchup between two warriors. There may never be a fight that has the hype of a Mayweather - Pacquiao, but truth be told, I really did not see a way for Pacquiao to solve the Mayweather puzzle. That simply isn't true for tonight's fight. This is truly a 50-50 bout, and although I do have a prediction down below, it is one that I am extremely unsure about. November 19th, 2016 will a night that the boxing world will never forget, regardless of the outcome.
Over the last month, I have watched a countless number of film studies, fights, and breakdowns for both of these fighters; and every time I watched Kovalev fight I would think to myself "this guy can't be beat." Nonetheless, when watching Ward, the same thought scurried through my head. When you watch both Kovalev and Ward, you sense this indescribable factor that makes them both unstoppable in their own way, and it is that indescribable factor which has led them to this point in their career - fighting to be the pound for pound champion of the sport.
One of the oldest and truest boxing adage's is "styles make fights," so if I were to categorize these two boxers, it would be the Matador and the Bull. The Matador may have quickness and tricks that may confuse the Bull, but there is always the very real chance that nothing will stop the Bull from ramming through the Matador.
That being said, if I had to bet, I'd go with the Matador. I feel that Ward's superior boxing ability will help him with controlling the pace and distance of the fight. I think Kovalev is going to fight Ward's fight, not the other way around. Ward has been in the ring with power punchers before, maybe not exactly like Kovalev, but he's been in the ring with power punchers. Kovalev, on the other hand, has never seen anything like Andre 'Son of God' Ward.
Ward by Decision - 8 rounds to 4
Keys to victory - Sergey Kovalev:
Because of Kovalev's knockout percentage, many fans assume that he is just a big puncher, this is not true; Kovalev has a boxing ability that is grossly underrated. He sets up shots well, he isn't just a head hunter, he has pretty good movement, and keeps a good defense. Kovalev has power in both hands, but definitely has a killer right hand, and you see him setting this up throughout his fights. If there is one deficiency in Kovalev's style, it would be his inside game. This has not really been an issue in his last fights, since Kovalev is typically able to control space with his jab. Kovalev needs to make sure that he does not allow Ward to get inside without dishing out some punishment.
Kovalev also needs to make sure that he isn't allowing Ward to get into rhythm. I believe Kovalev should keep his activity high and should look to press Ward as much as he can. Kovalev's last fight was against Isaac Chilemba, a smooth boxer who never let Kovalev set his feet. Kovalev did not look particularly impressive in this decision win, primarily due to the fact that Kovalev was never truly set up to throw his nasty combinations.
The general consensus in this fight is that Kovalev can only win by KO, and that Ward can only win by decision. Although I mostly agree with this sentiment, it is paramount that Kovalev should try to win rounds rather than just look for the knockout punch. Ward's defense is fantastic, and although it is not impossible to KO him, it is very unlikely, and if Kovalev does not stay busy enough, Ward will sail to a decision win.
Kevs to victory - Andre Ward
Andre Ward is the most complete fighter in boxing today. I have never seen a boxer be so masterful at so many different styles. He can outbox you, but he isn't one to back down from a brawl. You never truly know what you are going to get with Andre Ward, and that is exactly what makes him such a dangerous boxer to be in the ring with. Although Ward is not necessarily afraid of a war, he does not possess power, especially when compared to Kovalev. Even though Ward has been in the ring with big hitters, he has never been in there with a monster like Kovalev. Ward needs to neutralize Kovalev's power, and one great way to do this is to get inside as often as possible. Ward's inside game is far superior than Kovalev's, and if Ward can make this a physical, dirty, inside fight, he will have the clear advantage. Essentially, Ward needs to get Kovalev's respect. If Kovalev does not respect Ward's power, he wont have any fear walking him down.
Ward's movement is also much better than Kovalev's, and Kovalev tends to like being set up for his combinations, so when Ward does not have an opening to get inside and tangle Kovalev up, he should being circling the ring as much as possible so that Kovalev is never comfortable.
I really think that this fight is going to come down to who is the busier fighter. Both Ward and Kovalev are damn near unstoppable when they get off first. To me, this is the key to victory. You can't allow Kovalev to get set up and throw bombs. At the same time, there isn't a defense that Ward will not crack with his quickness, combinations, and precision.
Final Thoughts and Prediction:
I have never been so excited for any matchup between two warriors. There may never be a fight that has the hype of a Mayweather - Pacquiao, but truth be told, I really did not see a way for Pacquiao to solve the Mayweather puzzle. That simply isn't true for tonight's fight. This is truly a 50-50 bout, and although I do have a prediction down below, it is one that I am extremely unsure about. November 19th, 2016 will a night that the boxing world will never forget, regardless of the outcome.
Over the last month, I have watched a countless number of film studies, fights, and breakdowns for both of these fighters; and every time I watched Kovalev fight I would think to myself "this guy can't be beat." Nonetheless, when watching Ward, the same thought scurried through my head. When you watch both Kovalev and Ward, you sense this indescribable factor that makes them both unstoppable in their own way, and it is that indescribable factor which has led them to this point in their career - fighting to be the pound for pound champion of the sport.
One of the oldest and truest boxing adage's is "styles make fights," so if I were to categorize these two boxers, it would be the Matador and the Bull. The Matador may have quickness and tricks that may confuse the Bull, but there is always the very real chance that nothing will stop the Bull from ramming through the Matador.
That being said, if I had to bet, I'd go with the Matador. I feel that Ward's superior boxing ability will help him with controlling the pace and distance of the fight. I think Kovalev is going to fight Ward's fight, not the other way around. Ward has been in the ring with power punchers before, maybe not exactly like Kovalev, but he's been in the ring with power punchers. Kovalev, on the other hand, has never seen anything like Andre 'Son of God' Ward.
Ward by Decision - 8 rounds to 4
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