It was tough second round for Andre Ward, as he was floored by a powerful right hand from the Krusher. He got up, solidify more of his defense and balance it with effective and accurate offense that saw him winning on all three judges scorecards.

The official scores were 114-113 on all three judges for Ward winning most of the alphabet titles at light heavyweight.

In the first half of the fight, Ward (31-0, 15KOs) was on the receiving end of Sergey Kovalev's powerful jabs and right hand. Kovalev (30-1-1, 26 KO) dropped Ward with right hand during the second round of their light heavyweight championship, Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ward got up from the knockdown and held for the rest of round. He clinched as Kovalev rushed in to finish him up early.

Ward slowly but surely adjusted the power and attacks of Kovalev every round after the knockdown. He was maintaining safe distance from Kovalev and tied the Russian champion when he gets closer. He fired counter mostly to the body that got a toll on Kovalev as the fight wore on.

In the second half of the fight, Ward was able to land sneaky jabs that snapped Kovalev's head back and he continued his body work. The fight become more competitive as Ward already adjusted to the style and was able to dictate each engagement in the ring. He fired at angles where Kovalev not in position to counter and force held when Kovalev came close.

However, it's not the usual punch-and-clinch routine for Ward as Kovalev either wrestle to punch in or wrestle to rough up Ward. They employ brilliant techniques every time they tangle up. The referee had an awesome job controlling the fight mostly by his mouth as the fighters were listening to his commands each time they tangle.

It was a controversial close decision, but I don't see it as bad decision either. I have it a draw and I like to see a rematch. But Kovalev had a hard time accepting his first defeat, and believed he clearly won the fight, seven to three rounds on his favor.

"He got maybe few rounds. You know, I agree but not the full fight. I keep control all the fight all rounds. I lost like three rounds of all [entire] fight, says Kovalev.

Kovalev said that he wanted a rematch and he will "kick his ass" referring to Ward.

"Of course I want a rematch and I will kick his ass like that. I just wanted to show boxing not short round you know," answers Kovalev.

What do you think of the decision? Would you want to see an immediate rematch?

It's not always about Saul Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin. Well, there's even bigger! The much-anticipated fight between both undefeated fighters Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev is set for November 19, 2016, at the T-Mobile Arena.

"The Kovalev-Ward fight, which was signed long ago but is contingent on each remaining undefeated through interim bouts, will take place Nov. 19 (HBO PPV) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas," per Dan Rafael of ESPN.com

This is by far the biggest fight of both fighters who were listed inside the top 10 on anyone's pound-pound list. Ward is undefeated in 29 bouts, 15 wins inside the distance, while Kovalev is undefeated with 29 wins,  a draw, but with a mind-boggling 26 stoppages, that's 87 KO percentage.

Ward, 32, was the former middleweight champion and will move up to light heavyweight to fight Kovalev, 33, who held titles at the LH division.

Both men are expected to have one bout prior to their 19th Nov. fight. They have to win accordingly in order to make them happen and to make the fight even bigger. I hope there's no spoiler here. Kovalev is scheduled to face Isaac Chilemba on July 11, while Ward may fight on Aug. 6 in California.

The promotional woes of undefeated super middleweight champion Andre Ward (27-0, 14 KO's) was over. It’s time for him to move on. It’s time for him to find out who he should be fighting for the sake of the boxing fans that have long been waiting for his ring return.

I can sense how happy Andre Ward, while keying in the letters that composed the statement he tweeted on Friday. He tweeted with hash tag #NextChapter. Ward as a professional fighter felt the difficulties. The difficulty in going battles inside legal courts. Instead of real battles in the ring.

Now, legal battles are finally over with him. Promotional problems with his previous promoter late Dan Goosen settled. Details of the settlement were not disclosed. But it is certain that the problem is over. Ward is optimistic in his ring return and is now starting to name names who he wanted to fight in his ting return.

But for me, as a boxing fan, I have three fighters in mind, for Ward to fight when he returns to the ring. I don’t care in which order he will fight these opponents.

Here are my Top 3 fighters for Andre Ward's ring return. In no specific order,  I want Ward to face them all regardless of the outcome of each fight.

1. Gennady Gorlovkin (31-0, 28 KO's) – Andre, in his interview with Ring TV said that he is willing to fight GGG. But it seems that he wants only at super middleweight. Although, for me, I fells that GGG looks small at middleweight. But if he chooses to go up in weight and fight Ward, I don’t think anyone has a great advantage in weight. The fact that he's sidelined for more than one year. And it cost his pound-for-pound ranking. Getting back to super middleweight fighting form is a problem. But I still believed it’s not a serious problem. He can still make the super middleweight limit and fight GGG. If GGG don't want a fight with Ward at SMW. Ward moving down to middleweight is a serious weight problem. If a catch-weight of 165 pounds will not also work. Then, here comes the next fighter that I want Andre ward to face in his ring return.

2. Sergey Kovalev (26-0-1, 23 KO's) – If indeed Andre Ward has problem at super middleweight then move north for the Russian. This is another fight that make sense for Ward. He’s been fighting for sometime at the super middleweight. And I think it’s time for him to take another title at another weight division. It would be exciting if he will move to the light heavyweight and face Sergey Kovalev. It will be an interesting math-up.

We all know that Kovalev does not rely solely on his power. He can fight also tactically and he proved that against master tactician Bernard Hopkins – whom he dominated over 12 rounds.

Ward is a kind of boxer who always finds a way to win. He loves to make his move first while anticipating opponent’s counter-moves. Ward shifts attack swiftly to defense after a sound offense. His style at times results to a hit-hug combination. Not a fan-friendly combination to master.

3. Carl Foch (33-2, 24 KO's) – A rematch with 'The Cobra' is another big fight for both men, if Ward doesn’t want, to move up to meet Kovalev, or move down to meet Golovkin.

Froch demolished George Grooves in their rematch. Of what has been considered as the biggest all British boxing showdowns in UK at the full-house Wembley Stadium. Froch wanted a fight in the US. In the US or UK the fight is huge and the fans would definitely want it.

Ward won on all three judges the first time they met in 2012. Froch seemed too cautious during that fight. And Ward was able to execute well ahead of Froch in all aspects. I think if the meet one more time, Froch would definitely execute a well adjusted game-plan based on the previous fight. And it is exciting to see what Ward's counter measure.

If you are to choose which fighter should Ward fight next? Would it be GGG first? Then Sergey and Froch? In which order you want?

If the fighters were not listed above, who do you think is best of Ward in his ring return?

 



Golden Boy Promotion literally wins some and loses some fighters under its umbrella.

In a recent press release, Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotion announced that: "they are pushing to make 2015 its best year yet, by adding local California talent and signing international talents".

Local talents include; Abraham Lopez, Roy Tapia, Christian Gonzalez, Emilio Sanchez, Jesus Ivan Delgado and Nick Arce. International talents include, Japanese Yoshihiro “Maestrito” Kamegai (25-2-1, 22 KOs) and Filipino Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (28-1-1, 16 KOs).

But late Friday, Yahoo Sports’ Kevin Iole reported that Golden Boy Promotion “settled its lawsuit” with former CEO Richard Schaefer. With the settlement, GBP “surrendered” its promotional rights to some of its top boxers who are advised by Haymon; welterweight Adrien Broner and Danny Garcia were mentioned.

Although GPB retained promotional rights to other Haymon-advised fighter, but it’s obvious that the talents he lost outweighed those he acquired. But anyhow, I see it as a good thing for boxing and for those personalities involved as the strife between former friends finally settled.

It seems to me that 2015 had a good start, as top boxing personalities having conflicts in 2014 chose to move forward this year. Parties involved with their respective 2014 conflicts now settling their issues to move on and prepare for a good 2015 start.

Late Friday, undefeated super middleweight champion Andre Ward (27-0, 14 KO's) also tweeted with a hash tag “#NextChapter” saying that he is happy to be part of Roc Nation. He’s been long sidelined due to promotional conflicts with his late promoter Dan Goossen. With this development, I think we will see more of Andre Ward. I hope it’s never too late for him.

Meanwhile, speaking of Roc Nation, Gary Shaw announced also on Friday that he officially joined Jay Z’s boxing division.