Saturday night’s showdown between two boxing titans didn’t disappoint.
In a thrilling light heavyweight title bout that went the full 12 rounds at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Andre Ward defeated Sergey Kovalev in a controversial decision to improve to 31-0-0 in his legendary boxing career and hand the Russian his first loss (30-1-1).
Andre Ward beats Sergey Kovalev by unanimous decision (114-113 x 3) for WBA, WBO, IBF light heavyweight titles. #KovalevWard
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 20, 2016
All three judges scored the fight 114-113 in favor of Ward in a razor-thin decision that not everyone agreed with. Kovalev got off to a fast start, taking round one and delivering the biggest blow of the night in the second round by knocking Ward to the mat with a thunderous right hook.
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https://twitter.com/HBOboxing/status/800203236346982400
But Ward held his ground. The “Son of God” mounted a steady comeback over the next several rounds, wearing Kovalev down with body shots to claw back into the fight. Both fighters got in some huge blows as the intensity mounted.
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The fight came down to the last few rounds, as Ward continued his comeback while Kovalev kept his opponent at bay for what he thought would be a unanimous decision in his favor. But the judges thought differently.
Stats pic.twitter.com/fAjYmrFXFw
— Michael Woods (@Woodsy1069) November 20, 2016
Your NEW champion. #KovalevWard pic.twitter.com/sSmXQUHg6E
— Joshua Sánchez (@jnsanchez) November 20, 2016
Even Ward seemed a bit surprised by the decision, which got a mixed reaction from boxing pundits.
https://twitter.com/TheSportsJunky1/status/800215243456729089
They finish strong! Rd 12 to Ward. I have Kovalev winning 115-112. Very good fight! #KovalevWard #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) November 20, 2016
I think Kovalev got a bit of a raw deal there, but I can’t be mad. Like I said, I could see 114-113 for Ward. So did the judges.
— Bad Left Hook (@badlefthook) November 20, 2016
Either way, it was a terrific fight that’s deserving of an encore, and it looks like we’ll get one soon.
Great quote from Kovalev: "Of course I want a rematch and I will kick his ass."
— Brian Campbell (@BCampbell) November 20, 2016
Let's do #KovalevWard a second time. Most important fight of the year and the drama was there even if it was more "good" than "great."
— Brian Campbell (@BCampbell) November 20, 2016
BREAKING: A rematch clause exists for Kovalev vs Ward. So we will likely see this next. #KovalevWard
— Boxing Kingdom (@BoxingKingdom14) November 20, 2016
Thumbnail photo via screenshot from Twitter/@jnsanchez
