Boxer Andre Ward Stops Russia’s Sergei Kovalev In Eighth Round

Kovalev said he doesn’t know what happened and can’t explain why he was stopped by the referee. I’m not a person that demands respect or none of that. Spend any time inside a boxing gym sparring even at a novice level, and you’ll realize that at a certain point, a clumsy beginner is impossible to beat just because he’s too big. He came with a plan and with a determination and, best of all, for him, an accomplice. Kathy Duva, Kovalev’s promoter, said she would appeal the decision to the Nevada State Athletic Commission because of the low blows and the failure of Weeks to deduct points from Ward. “The ref didn’t call them”.

“I’ve never been the most talented guy and I’ve never been the biggest guy”, Ward said, “but we seem to keep knocking guys out”.

Though Ward’s punches bounced off Kovalev, more often than not they caught him square on the target instead of the gloves, which obviously played against him in what was after all an American court.

“You’ve got me sweating“, Ward said, after his trainer had finished stunning everyone present. In the seventh round Ward outlanded Kovalev in a close round. “I’m going to enjoy my family, kiss my wife and we out”.

“If there are questions marks after this that has nothing to do with me”. I am thankful for Virgil and my team. “I didn’t want him to be comfortable and I don’t think he was”. He’s a great fighter; there’s not a lot of people that elite. This adds to my legacy.

“I’m not averse to getting hit”, Ward said. Kovalev said the punches were low, Weeks who was looking in closely felt they were not. “Then he threw that one when my hands were down”. According to Leder, whoever we are and whatever we are is because of our physicality, not despite it. Ward uses the ring moniker “Son of God” and is a devoutly spiritual man. Tony Weeks did a good job. I went right back there again, and he wasn’t reacting.

WBA World light heavyweight champion, Dmitry Bivol, 11-0 (9), of St. Petersburg, RUS, stopped southpaw Cedric Agnew, 29-3 (15), of Chicago, IL, at 1:27 of round 4. “I don’t have another way accept to get a victory over him. I’m not ruling it out”. “The first was Chad Dawson [in 2012], and the second was tonight. Can I get on the pound-for-pound list now at the top?” said Ward. “Now we have quieted all those who were whining and thought we didn’t get it the first time“.

When Kovalev came to the podium, he commented “You saw everything”. I wanted to continue fighting. “I believe he can outbox Anthony Joshua“. The two had stood together after 12 rounds on November 19, standing on each side of referee Robert Byrd. I knew he was hurt.

Heading into the sixth round, Ward and Kovalev were exhausted. The referee did not do what he was supposed to do. Why get away from it?

Kovalev has voiced his displeasure about Ward in April and in recent days.

This time, the fight was close throughout the first six rounds, with Kovalev generally showing more aggression and ring control, while Ward used his movement and boxing skills to counterpunch effectively.