By Rishad Marquardt: Over the weekend, Las Vegas hosted the second installment in the Andre “SOG” Ward – Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev saga in which Andre Ward scored an emphatic 8th round TKO over Sergei Kovalev. As was true the first time round, this fight was going to be special. Two of the highest caliber fighters in boxing, both with glittering career records, both ranked at the top of the pound for pound lists, both fighting an opponent that would define how people would evaluate them after they hang-up their gloves.
Sergey Kovalev
Ward v Kovalev: Where Do We Go From Here?
By Ben Sutherland: On Saturday night at Mandalay Bay in Vegas, boxing fans all over the world tuned in to see what many thought to be a decisive conclusion to one of 2017’s most bitter boxing rivalries between Andre “SOG” Ward and Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev. In what was in many ways was a similar fight to their first encounter, Ward and Kovalev left us with just as many questions as answers.
Andre Ward’s trainer wants Anthony Joshua next
By Allan Fox: If Andre Ward’s trainer Virgil Hunter gets his way, Ward will be fighting for a heavyweight world title in his next fight against IBF/WBA champion Anthony Joshua (19-0, 19 KOs). Hunter says he sees it as a waste of time for Ward to move up to the cruiserweight division.
Ward: I broke Kovalev mentally and physically
By Jeff Aranow: Andre Ward (32-0, 16 KOs) gave himself credit for stopping Sergey Kovalev (30-2-1, 26 KOs) in the 8th round last Saturday night in their rematch. Ward denies hitting Kovalev low with 3 consecutive low blows in the 8th. Ward says Kovalev was merely acting like the shots were low, but they were really legal punches. Ward also gives referee Tony Weeks credit for a job well done in working the fight. Weeks appeared to blow the call in scoring it a knockout after Ward’s 3 low blows.
Andre Ward considering Adonis Stevenson fight
By Jeff Aranow: Following his low blow stoppage win over Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev last Saturday night, Andre “SOG” Ward says he’s considering a unification fight against WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson, as well as a move to cruiserweight or heavyweight. Stevenson (29-1, 24 KOs) is a southpaw with one-punch power that he uses to knockout his mostly marginal opposition. Ultimately, I see Ward staying FAR away from Adonis Stevenson simply because he’s too dangerous to fight. Stevenson would be a threat to knocking Ward out every second he’s in there with him, and I believe instinctively, Ward knows this. Ward selected Kovalev to fight after studying him and realizing he would have a chance of beating him. I believe it’s no coincidence that Ward didn’t select Stevenson to fight when he moved up to 175.
Crashed Krusher!
By Matthias Predonzan: As could be expected, in their rematch fight, Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev started from where they had left, with Ward controlling the fight and Kovalev having lost his confidence.
This is quite the standard, when 2 fighters fight a rematch: the best boxer, the one with better boxing IQ takes control of the fight in a more convincing way than in the first fight.
Sergey Kovalev TKO’d by Low Blows
Chapter two of Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev vs. Andre “S.O.G.” Ward drama ended in another controversial loss for Kovalev. The referee waived off Kovalev after he struggled to recover from several consecutive low blows from Ward that the official failed to call. Sergey remained on his feet throughout the exchange but nevertheless the referee called a halt to the action at 2:29 of the eighth round.
Ward-Kovalev 2 Fight Night Results, Photos
Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev 2: “The Rematch” took place on Saturday, June 17 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The championship event, presented by Corona Extra, was produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®.
(Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events)
Below you can find all of the fight results and fighter quotes:
Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev 2 – Results
By Allan Fox: Andre Ward (32-0, 16 KOs) put on a low blow clinic in stopping former light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (30-2-1, 26 KOs) in the 8th round on Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Kovalev: Andre Ward will pay
By Allan Fox: Tonight, Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev intends on making Andre “SOG” Ward pay for all the trash talk he’s given him in the last month as the two have prepared for their rematch at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.