The HBO-presented pay-per-view clash between unbeaten pound-for-pound superstars Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward was supposed to determine the world’s best boxer.
It didn’t. Well, not conclusively, anyway.
American ring technician Ward left the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with Kovalev’s WBA, IBF and WBO light heavyweight titles on Sunday after narrowly winning the main event bout with scores of 114-113.
On my unofficial scorecard, I had Kovalev winning the 12-round clash, also with a score of 114-113.
Kovalev, the six-foot-tall light heavyweight puncher, flashed his power in the opening seconds, stunning Ward with a left-hand. The Russian continued the early dominance through the first six rounds, repeatedly tagging the 2004 US Olympic gold medalist with a pin-point accurate jab and straight right hand, bolstering his early lead with a knockdown in the second stanza.
A resilient Ward, who was down five rounds to one by the mid-way point of the fight according to two of the three ringside judges, rallied in the final half of the fight, finding his range, pumping his jab and lighting up the champ’s body like a Christmas tree to mount an improbable comeback.
Over 36 minutes of nail-biting action, Kovalev and Ward put on an instant classic – a frequently promised yet rarely delivered clash between boxing’s greats that exceeded all expectations.
It was a dramatic performance fitting of a Hollywood blockbuster, but HBO commentator Larry Merchant certainly didn’t compare it to Rocky or Raging Bull after the final bell.
“I think of this as Ocean’s 11 in the ring,” Merchant quipped. “A robbery.”
Merchant wasn’t alone. Social media was in an uproar, with fighters, fans, and media arguing that a crime was committed in Sin City, live on pay-per-view.
Did they really just give that fight to Andre Ward? Well if Trump can win the presidency then anything is possible these days #KovalevWard
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) November 20, 2016
The truth is, the cries of foul play are misguided. There is a distinct difference between a robbery and a disputed decision – and this is unquestionably the latter.
The 33-year-old Kovalev, who is one of the most feared punchers in the industry, began to slow down by the fifth round. A damaged but not discouraged Ward expertly fought the final frames with a sense of urgency, later revealing “I felt like I needed every single round.”
The California born-and-bred fighter just refused to crumble under the pressure, even after Kovalev had dug a hole so large that it seemed unlikely that he would ever get out.
Judges Glenn Trowbridge and John McKaie had the fight dead even heading into the last round. It all hinged on those final three minutes, and a few clean left hooks from ‘S.O.G’ were likely the determining factor in Ward collecting three new pieces of hardware.
“This sounds good – the new light heavyweight champ,” an overjoyed Ward said after he was presented with his newly-won titles. “This was my most important and satisfying win.”
Ward’s reign as king could be short and sweet if Kovalev has anything to say about it, though. His promoter Kathy Duva told the press post-fight that her team will exercise its right to an immediate rematch.
Ward, who pocketed a career-high $5 million for his Las Vegas and pay-per-view main event debut, will undoubtedly be offered a few million more good reasons to step between the ropes for another tussle with the ‘Krusher’.
“We have 30 days to make the decision (on an immediate rematch) and we’ve already made it,” Duva promised.
It’s rare for a sequel to outdo the original, but Ward-Kovalev II could prove to be the exception to the rule.
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