Kovalev vs Ward: 5 keys to victory for Sergey Kovalev

2) Tie Andre Ward up on the inside

If Sergey Kovalev is perceived as having a weakness, it’s that he isn’t the most adept inside fighter. This assumption, though, doesn’t necessarily stem from Kovalev having been previously bothered by a fighter who managed to fight him at close quarters; rather, it simply reflects that Kovalev prefers to fight at range to optimize his power.

But there’s another factor at play here. Because Kovalev needs to keep opponents on the end of his punches, Andre Ward (perhaps boxing’s craftiest in-fighter) should have a distinct advantage if he can close distance on the “Krusher.” Ward will attempt to fight Kovalev chest-to-chest for significant stretches, so the Russian must be prepared to counter this.

Although Kovalev’s devastating jab and footwork keep most opponents at bay, Ward’s ring IQ will enable him to breach Kovalev’s force field. Essentially, what Kovalev has to do is quickly put Ward in a headlock, clamp down on him like a crab or shove him away every time this happens. Kovalev, however, needs to be careful about avoiding a point deduction for employing any of these tactics excessively, and that’s why he must also consistently force Ward onto his back foot when given the chance.

What’s so surprising and maddening for Ward’s foes is how active the American is on the inside. He expertly handcuffs opposing fighters while digging to the body and driving sharp uppercuts into unsuspecting jaws. If Kovalev gets drawn into stretches of in-fighting, he must fire back. He can’t merely react to Ward’s wrestling and maneuvering.