Get Pumped for the Blockbuster Sergey Kovalev Vs. Andre Ward Rematch With Their Greatest Hits Ever
Ward won a highly controversial decision in their first fight, but can he go 2-0 against “The Krusher”?
On November 19, 2016, two undefeated light heavyweight boxers met in the ring at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and only Andre Ward walked out with his perfect record still intact.
Ward’s controversial win over Russian punching machine Sergey Kovalev by unanimous decision earned him the WBA, WBO and IBF light heavyweight titles, but it didn’t win the perennial contender for best pound-for-pound boxer in the sport the universal respect among fans that he so desperately craves.
In the aftermath of their epic November fight, there were plenty of naysayers who said Kovalev deserved the W (including Floyd Mayweather). The Russian slugger was, after all, the only one to score a knockdown, even as he faded in the later rounds and Ward’s brilliant boxing technique and ring smarts enabled him to mount a comeback.
And while Ward later said he was secure in the knowledge that he won the fight, he admitted, when accepting the rematch, that he’s out to “set the record straight once and for all.”
“In a nutshell, this is for the people who believe in me and have been believing in me, to continue to prove them right. That’s my true motivation,” he told The LA Times in April.
Kovalev says that he’ll be extremely prepared for this rematch and has hinted that his knockout power will be on display. “I’m glad to know that rematch will happen,” Kovalev said in April when the fight was made.
“I really hope that Andre Ward will get into the ring for this rematch. Fans of boxing will see the real ‘Krusher’ — the one they have missed for couple of my last fights. For me this rematch is very important as no other bout in my entire boxing career.”
Thing is, these two just don’t like each other, and both of them have something to prove, which is why Saturday’s rematch on HBO pay-per-view is expected to be even better than the first fight.
In anticipation of Ward vs. Kovalev 2, HBO has helpfully cut together highlight packages for each fighter. Check them out above. It’s gonna be one helluva fight.
You can revisit their first battle here:
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