In the most highly anticipated fight on 2016, Andre "SOG" Ward (31-0-15KOs) won a razor thin unanimous decision over previously undefeated Sergey "KRUSHER" Kovalev to claim the the WBA/WBO/IBF Light Heavyweight titles.
Early on it was the champion who was dictating the pace of the fight. In round one Kovalev landed some clean hard punchers, including a stiff jab that seems to rock Ward a bit. Round two was more of the same from the champion. Kovalev was piercing through Ward's guard at will. Kovalev dropped Ward with a counter right hand. The knockdown was only the second in Wards career.
As the fight went on, the challenger from Oakland made adjustments. Ward started to land some clean effective punches in the second half of the fight. In rounds seven through nine, Wards continuous bodywork seemed to be taking its toll on the champion. Kovalev's punches didn't seem to have the same effect as they did earlier in the fight.
At the end of the day it was Ward's clean punching, conditioning, and body work that earned him the decision and potentially the number one spot on most pound for pound lists. All three judges had it the same 114-113 for Andre Ward.
Article courtesy of Taylor Houck - @tmoney928
Subscribe to the Ringside Reporter
