Beauty and the Beast: Sergey Kovalev Vs Andre Ward

By BJ “Warhammer” Proctor

Photo credit Michael Reeves/Getty Images

November 19th, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas Nevada, two titans of the ring will collide in what I and many hope will be one for the ages. A fight 18 months in the making, with two undefeated pound for pound greats, willing to put it all on the line to reach the pinnacle of the sport. While the business of boxing has ruled the sport for many years, we will be witness to a missing element as of late, the best facing off against the best. No war of words, no diva like demands, no delays. Both men throwing caution to the wind, and putting their money where their mouth is.

Andre “SOG” Ward, 30-0, 15 KO’s, will challenge the 175 pound unified champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev, also 30-0, 26 KO’s, in a battle of two of boxing’s top pound for pound fighters. Both have dominated, neither coming close to losing a round let alone a fight in several years. Ward the defensive ring general will look to tame the brutal yet methodical attack of Kovalev, as he has done since the tender age of 12. Ward has not lost a fight amateur or pro since he was a preteen. Winning Olympic Gold in the 2004 games, then dominating the Super Six Classic defeating the best fighters in the 168 pound weight class.

Ward was an afterthought, the second lowest betting odds to win the tournament, and a heavy underdog in the first round when he would face the Lineal champion Mikkel Kessler. In only his 21st pro fight, Andre Ward would show the boxing world that he was not only ready for his moment in the spotlight, but that he was ready to take over the Super Middleweight division and climb the pound for pound ranks. Ward would dominate Kessler, take his lineal championship, and steamroll his way to winning the Super Six Classic, defeating Carl “The Cobra” Froch in the finals. Ward would eliminate any further doubt, answering the challenge of the 175 pound lineal champion Chad Dawson, whom he defeated in a boxing masterclass. The victory shooting him to the top of the pound for pound ranks at number 2, just behind the great Floyd Mayweather, JR.

Sergey Kovalev fought the majority of his early career in relative obscurity, even questioning his own resolve and whether he was wasting his time despite his dominance. Kovalev was given a chance to showcase his talents for promoter Kathy Duva, and after a dominant performance he finally had the backing he would need to succeed. After signing with Duva, Kovalev won his first title with the destruction of then champion Nathan Cleverley, with a 4th round KO. Three fights later, Kovalev would face future hall of fame fighter Bernard Hopkins. Despite his advanced age of 49, Hopkins was viewed as too slick and too experienced for the untested Kovalev. Kovalev would put Hopkins down a minute into the first round, and proceed to dominate for 12 full rounds and unify 3 of the 4 major titles.

It’s no question that of these two very talented fighters, Andre Ward has faced the better competition. It is also without question that each man should be viewed as the other’s stiffest test to date, and the fight itself is the ultimate definition of a 50/50 fight.
Will the beauty of Ward’s defense and high boxing IQ be the determining factor? Or will the seek and destroy methodical attack of the beast Kovalev be too much for Ward to dissect? This fight is the ultimate styles clash, power Vs finesse, brain Vs brawn. Kovalev has power in both hands, yet is most dangerous with his right. Ward is a master at controlling distance, a master of the jab to the body and head. Ward’s brain as powerful as Kovalev’s right hand.

Going into Saturday’s fight, Ward is the slight betting favorite. Many boxing pundits as well as current and former fighters have weighed in and given their predictions. Barbs have been exchanged on both sides, and the final presser has concluded with both fighters oozing confidence and ready for their showdown. One of the most interesting takes when the fight was signed, and continuing throughout both fighters tune up fights before meeting each other. Would be the decline in Ward since his Super Six tournament victory. Some have suggested that Ward has lost a step, no longer as fleet of foot, or as speedy with his hands. Lending to the thought that Kovalev, who is known for power, yet underrated in his boxing acumen, will break Ward and his defensive style down and be too strong.

I do not agree nor understand this sentiment. Ward has had three fights before his meeting with Kovalev, and out of the 33 rounds in those 3 fights, Ward has lost a maximum of 2 of those rounds. Kovalev has looked equally as dominant, and I believe that both fighters go into Saturday at their peak, and we will see the best of both fighters. With that in mind, the best of Andre Ward is levels above Sergey Kovalev. Ward will need his best, Kovalev will bring out his best, yet I see Ward rising to the occasion, and once again becoming a unified world champion in his second weight class.

This is the biggest fight in boxing. This is the best possible fight that could have been made. Despite the lack of a fan base for both fighters, the turnout for this fight both live and on PPV should be great. If that will be the case is yet to be determined. The landscape of how boxing is viewed is changing and PPV is declining in its appeal. Yet these fighters and boxing in general deserve our attention and our support.

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