Kovalev vs. Ward: Keys to the Fight

10/20/2016 by KenWoods123

ward-kovalev (1)

By Ken Woods: The light heavyweight championship bout between Sergey Kovalev (30-0-1, 26 KOs) and Andre Ward (30-0, 15 KOs) is approximately a month away (Nov. 19, HBO pay-per-view) and is one of the most anticipated fights of the year. The keys to the battle are detailed below.

Andre Ward

Smother, smother, smother

Ward is a competent inside fighter and stronger than he appears. We have seen his ability to smother his opponent’s punches and invade their space in the Mikkel Kessler fight and the Carl Froch contest. He will need to do more of that in this match. Kovalev is very adept at keeping the contest on the outside, counter punching and setting traps. So, in order to nullify that strength, Ward will have to get close, restrict his punches and create angles for hooks and uppercuts. Also, stifling him will not allow him to get off with his power, which is his best asset.

Bernard Hopkins Will Pick Kovalev Apart

10/20/201611/04/2014 by KenWoods123

By Ken Woods: The light heavyweight unification bout between Bernard Hopkins (55-6-2, 32 KOs) and Sergey Kovalev (25-0-1, 23 KOs) on November 8 is being billed as a highly competitive contest between two of the division’s best. However, the actual contest will be anything but.

Hopkins will absolutely embarrass Kovalev on his way to a unanimous decision victory, making history once again by unifying titles. Kovalev is portrayed as a big bad wolf in the division with dangerous punching power and a seek and destroy mentality. This is mostly hype.

Forget about Mayweather vs. Pacquiao

02/10/2014 by KenWoods123

By Ken Woods: Various fans and boxing pundits alike are clamoring for a mega fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Everyone, followers and media members alike, should forget about the fight because it’s not going to happen.

The fan reaction on every article has been flooded with endless debates about who is at fault for the fight not happening, and it’s all useless conjecture.

How are people convinced that Mayweather is solely responsible for the fight not getting made? There are numerous parties involved on both sides that have to agree to fight.

Mayweather and Pacquiao create division amid similarities

02/10/2014 by KenWoods123

By Ken Woods: The uproar over the Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao fall out has reached a fevered pitch. Although fans have been divided about each fighter’s merits in the ring, they are actually a lot more similar than many realize.

Don’t believe the hype Part II—Matthysse fell

09/17/2013 by KenWoods123

By Ken Woods: The hip hop group Public Enemy made the phrase “don’t believe the hype” popular during the late 80s. This phrase can apply to many aspects of life and sports, especially the boxing ring.

Many in the boxing community, however, did not take heed to these words and believed the hype surrounding Lucas Matthysse (34-3, 32 KO’s) was real. I, however, correctly predicted his hype train would be derailed at the hands of Danny Garcia (27-0, 16 KO’s), and the performance Garcia displayed last Saturday night made my words prophetic.

Mayweather-Canelo: Cut the malarkey

09/13/2013 by KenWoods123

By Ken Woods: The mega fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. (44-0, 26 KOs) and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (42-0-1, 30 KOs) is here. September 14 will be a historic night for the sport of boxing.

However, there has been a vast amount of criticism thrown towards Mayweather for years now, and it is unreasonable when compared to his current adversary.

Let’s take a look at some common opponents and scenarios.

Mayweather vs. Canelo: The rhetoric remains the same

08/20/201308/20/2013 by KenWoods123

(Photo credit: Esther Lin) By Ken Woods: Floyd Mayweather often gets criticized by the media and boxing public alike. He has faced it for the majority of his career, but not only is the reproach unwarranted, but we have heard it all before.

Jack Johnson was the first African-American heavyweight champion. He was supremely skilled, a counter puncher, trash talker, and undeniably confident in his abilities to defeat any opponent put in front of him. There were reports that he would carry other fighters, prolong matches to brutalize them, and even hold opponents up who were falling down.

Johnson excelled in the ring and lived a lavish life outside of it. He aimlessly threw his money around, gallivanted with white women, which in the early 1900s was a cardinal sin for a black man, partied wildly, and drove the finest cars made at the time.

Put Garcia vs. Matthysee in proper perspective

08/20/201308/20/2013 by KenWoods123

garcia3 By Ken Woods: The fight between Danny Garcia and Lucas Matthysee is one of the most talked about matches this year. It has garnered strong emotions in both boxers’ favor. My question is, why?

Many believe Matthysee will destroy Garcia because of his recent performances, but let’s look at both fighters’ abilities and past bouts from a fair perspective.

Both of these boxers faced Zab Judah. Garcia and Matthysee both knocked him down and could not finish the job. However, Garcia had Judah hurt a few times in the bout while Matthysee lost a close controversial decision. Judah also gave a better performance against Garcia. Matthysee did not get robbed. The notion amongst boxing fans that one fighter gets robbed if the fight is close is getting out of hand.

Don’t believe the hype, Matthysse will fall

08/16/201308/15/2013 by KenWoods123

By Ken Woods: The fight between Danny Garcia and Lucas Matthysse is one of the most anticipated of the year. This bout will show which fighter is truly elite in the junior welterweight division on September 14.

After Matthysse’s destruction of Lamont Peterson, many in the boxing world began to believe the hype that he was just going to beat all of his future foes up in a similar fashion. His hype train will come to a screeching halt when he steps in the ring with Garcia. That’s right, I said it.

Matthysse is a great power puncher with power in both hands; however, that is the extent of his prowess in the ring. He is one dimensional with limited footwork and defense. He is not technically sound, doesn’t have good head movement, and often throws wide looping punches. In his last fight, he literally fell to the ground trying to swing at his opponent. He has been successful to this point with opponents that have little boxing ability.

Floyd Mayweather—The Game Plan

08/15/2013 by KenWoods123

floyd8 By Ken Woods: The mega fight between Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is fast approaching.

Mayweather will face a formidable adversary, but he is used to the challenge. What will he have to do to be successful against Alvarez? Essentially, he has to continue to do what he always does. The following game plan will lead to another Mayweather victory.

Work the body

This was “Canelo’s” strong suit for the majority of his career; however, “Money” will have to swing the pendulum to his side in this bout.