Ward proves his superiority in rematch

It was a totally unexpected turn of events with a conclusion that came sooner than many expected.

Indeed, if there was anybody predicted to win via stoppage it would be the power-punching Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev and not Andre Ward.

But with 30 seconds left in the 8th round, it was Ward standing victorious over a fallen Kovalev, doubled up in pain and down with one knee on the canvass.

Up to that point, the fight had been fairly competitive with Ward ahead by a point on two scorecards and Kovalev ahead by the same margin on the third.

CEREBRAL. I’ve been following Ward’s career for a long time and that’s why I predicted he would win again in the rematch, though I never foresaw the stoppage win.

Virgil Hunter, Ward’s trainer since he was a teen, has indeed molded Ward into a near-perfect fighting specimen.

I’ve been following Ward’s career for a long time and that’s why I predicted he would win again in the rematch, though I never foresaw the stoppage win.

Ward easily adapts to an opponent’s fighting style, and does what needs to be done in order to secure the win.

I figured he would make the proper adjustments in the rematch and true enough there were moments wherein he would turn southpaw for defensive purposes.

And when he hurt Kovalev in the 8th and detected a weakness, he immediately went for the kill.

Very businesslike. Very lethal.

CONTROVERSY. If you’re one of those who think Ward won because he hit Kovalev low, then I invite you to watch again the entirety of round 8.

Early in that round, Ward landed several wicked body shots that made Kovalev wince and back up.

Then came that booming right hand that landed flush , cracking “Krusher’s” jaw and making him wobble and lose his balance temporarily.

That there was the harbinger of an imminent defeat for Kovalev.

Ward’s subsequent attacks were just follow ups on an already beaten fighter.

Those final shots that some deemed low were just finishing touches. By then, the damage was done already.

By the way, I thought they landed on the beltline. Granted, they may technically be considered low based on what the referee designated, but there’s no way in hell that those blows landed on his groin.

Unless Krusher is an alien from Mars and his scrotum sack happens to dangling below his bellybutton, then those punches were way clear of the Kovalev family jewels.

VERBATIM. “I really don’t have a lot to say about whatever they said. Whatever the excuses were this time, I just don’t have the energy.”- Andre Ward on Kovalev’s complaint (www.espn.com)

LAST ROUND. It’s on my mother-in-law Mama Alma G. Navarro who recently celebrated her birthday. Cheers!