AMERICAN WARD WINS OVER RUSSIAN KOVALEV DESPITE KNOCKDOWN
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 21 Nov 2016
It was a battle reminiscent of The Cold War. Russia vs. America. Sergey Kovalev, the World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organization and International Boxing Federation world light heavyweight champion against Andre Ward, the former WBA and WBC world supermiddleweight titlist and 2004 Athens Olympics gold medalist.
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA was witness to the pound-for-pound encounter between the two top boxers of the world. Both undefeated and both about the same age and height. Kovalev had a reach advantage.
Kovalev scored a quick knockdown of Ward on all fours in the second round with a short punch as both warriors battled for glory.
Kovalev dominated the first few rounds with Ward recovering in the later rounds. All three judges scored the 12th round for Ward for the win.
Judges Burt A. Clements, Glenn Trowbridge, and John McKaie all scored 114-113 for a unanimous decision win for Ward. The challenger then wrested all three titles from the defending champion.
Per CompuBox, Kovalev threw 474 punches while Ward had 337 punches. Kovalev landed 126 (26.6%) punches while Ward connected 116 (34.4%) punches. Kovalev's jabs connected 48 of 242 for 19.8%. Ward landed 55 of 168 for 32.7%. Kovalev hit 78 of 232 power punches for 33.6% while Ward 61 of 169 power punches for
36.1%.
HBO commentator Harold Letterman scored the bout 116-111 for Kovalev, and commented that the bout was not close. Max Kellerman thought otherwise.
The Russian accused the American judges of favoritism. The only sure thing about the fight is the word Rematch.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND QUOTES FROM TODAY’S OFFICIAL WEIGH-INS AND PRESS CONFERENCE FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS’ HIGHLY ANTICIPATED U.S. DEBUT TOMORROW, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29
Sat, 29 Nov 2025Tagaytay Hosts 3rd Asian Chess Championship for Disabled 2025
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 29 Nov 2025WEIGHTS FROM PROBOXTV’S ‘THE CONTENDER SERIES’ AT SAVE MART CENTER IN FRESNO, SAT., NOVEMBER 29
Sat, 29 Nov 2025BIRMINGHAM WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS BEN WHITTAKER PREPARES FOR MATCHROOM DEBUT
Fri, 28 Nov 2025Coach Marvin Somodio: Full of Life and Punch at 42
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Fri, 28 Nov 2025Boston Ends Detroit's Winning Streak at 12; Celtics Trip Pistons, 117-114 at the Garden
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 28 Nov 20257-Eleven Run 2026 set on Jan. 31-Feb. 1
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 28 Nov 2025Carlos Cañizales Forced to Cancel Flight to Thailand for WBC World Title Defense
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 27 Nov 2025World Boxing Champions Promotions to Present Manny Pacquiao & Freddie Roach with Inaugural “Centurion Awards” During Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event on November 29
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Atif Oberlton Takes on Vaughn Alexander on Saturday, December 6th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Iligan tops in PEKAF Mindanao qualifying tourney
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 27 Nov 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2026 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4th
Thu, 27 Nov 2025World Renowned Boxing Trainer Bob Santos Launches Private Boxing Camp in Las Vegas
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Eight Boxers Remain in WBC Grand Prix Finals On December 20
Wed, 26 Nov 2025WBA/WBO Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez Confirms World Title Fight with David Benavidez on Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas
Wed, 26 Nov 2025