Kovalev vs Ward: 5 keys to victory for Andre Ward

4) Make Sergey Kovalev fight on the inside

The general assumption is that if Sergey Kovalev has a weakness, it’s fighting on the inside. Such thinking is perhaps a bit presumptuous, but the reality is that Kovalev, who is always in control of of his fights start to finish, does indeed prefer to box at range. And this makes sense. By keeping opponents on the end of his punches, he maximizes his already awesome power.

Andre Ward is one of boxing’s best in-fighters. He’s merciless when it comes to wrestling in the clinch while simultaneously throwing punches to prevent a break. His sharp uppercuts from close range are head-snapping, and he digs to the body and bullies opponents into utter resignation. Ward is also willing to fight dirty if he has to, which is a necessary mindset when facing someone as intimidating as Kovalev.

The question, though, is whether Ward can impose himself against Kovalev the way he was able to against 168-pounders. The answer, unfortunately for Ward backers, is probably not. However, this doesn’t mean that Ward can’t be effective on the inside. Getting inside Kovalev’s punches will importantly serve to negate the Russian’s power, and while Ward won’t manhandle Kovalev, he should be able to get the better of exchanges on the inside and, at the very least, prevent Kovalev from getting into an offensive rhythm.

In-fighting could decide Andre Ward’s fate. If he lets Kovalev tie him up every time he gets close to him, or recklessly rushes in (which he does do, from time to time), he’ll be in trouble and perhaps floored the way Bernard Hopkins was in the first round of his fight against the “Krusher.” That said, Ward needs to make Kovalev fight him on his terms, and that means bullying the bully.