Sergey Kovalev vs Andre Ward: 5 biggest takeaways

Andre Ward overcame a vicious knockdown to rally and dethrone WBA/WBO/IBF light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev via three identical, and controversial, scores of 114-113. Kovalev-Ward was fascinating and has already prompted raging post-fight debate.

It was the sort of cagey, throwback fight that demanded 15 rounds. Scoring controversy aside, Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward produced a rare seesaw fight grounded in tactical sophistication and subtle momentum shifts, as opposed to brutal, raw action. It was a fight that demands a second viewing, if only to scrutinize the judging.

Early on, it appeared that the faith so many fans and pundits had placed in Andre Ward — faith that he could replicate his Super Six World Boxing Classic form, and faith that his skills were too nuanced for Sergey Kovalev — was misguided. A crushing second-round knockdown had Ward on the verge of losing for the first time in nearly two decades, and a coronation of the “Krusher” seemed imminent.

But then a curious thing happened. Andre Ward, who had never fallen behind in a championship fight or faced crippling adversity at the elite level, showed a previously unearthed facet of his craft: mental fortitude that few athletes — let alone boxers — possess. Ward may not have deserved the decision, but it’s impossible to argue that he didn’t work his way back into the fight and eventually seize control.

Kovalev, though, had built a significant early lead and was nearly able to go punch-for-punch with Ward during the bout’s absorbing second half. The Russian confirmed that he has skills to match his otherworldly power, and he should feel confident about the prospect of a rematch. So, with so many factors and variables to consider and contemplate, here are five takeaways from Sergey Kovalev-Andre Ward.