By Don Smith
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 28 Jun 2017
Editor’s Note: Our delay in reporting on the ward/Kovalev fight came as a result of my serious battle with dehydration that resulted in my being hospitalized for several days. Thank you for your get well cards and letters and I particularly want to thank the well trained staff at Abrazo Hospital in Phoenix for treating me. It was touch and go for a few days; please, make sure you hydrate properly.
On with the column! Boxing Fans, More than a few fans responded negatively after veteran referee Tony Weeks decided to stop the Sergey Kovalev / Andre Ward light heavyweight PPV bout (HBO)at Las Vegas’s Mandalay Bay Center on June 17 in the 8th round (2:29 mark) of their scheduled 12 round rematch. One fan in attendance said he was done with boxing as a result of what he referred to as a “hair trigger” decision to end the contest.
Personally, I thought Kovalev should have been given a 2-3 minute respite after Ward delivered a low blow (left groin area). I had Ward ahead at the time of the questionable stoppage and Kovalev took a couple of hard shots before he received the low jolt but, in my opinion, he was able to continue through the remaining seconds of the round. ESPN Boxing writer Dan Raphael thought Kovalev was ready to go down and he described the legs of the Russian as “jelly like.” I disagree but Ward definitely had momentum at the time of the stoppage.
Katy Duva, Main Events CEO and Kovalev Promoter, used her post fight PC podium time to label Ward as a dirty fighter. There was a bit of wrestling at the start of the bout and referee Weeks stepped in and separated the two fighters. Duva’s comments were loudly booed by partisan Ward fans in a setting that was supposedly reserved exclusively for objective credentialed reporters armed with insightful questions.
One “alleged” reporter used his time to praise Ward as the greatest of all time fighters (G.O.A.T) and proclaimed the Olympic Gold Medal winner as the best active pound for pound fighter. Mikey Garcia and a half a dozen other pugilists may quibble with that assessment. Personally, I think the pound for pound argument is a waste of time and meaningless.
Ward was very cool, calm and collected during his part in the post-fight presser and he dismissed the controversy about the stoppage saying it wasn’t his call. He lavished praise on Kovalev calling him a great fighter; but, he further stated that he saw no need for another fight with the Russian born former champion unless his defeated foe would win a couple of impressive fights and perhaps defeat Adonis Stevenson (29-1), the reigning WBC Light Heavyweight titlist. Ward said he didn’t see any valid reason to fight Stevenson; instead he admitted he was thinking about challenging for a cruiserweight title. His remark prompted trainer Virgil Hunter to tell reporters that he was thinking about pitting his fighter (Ward) against WBA & IBF heavyweight champion Antony Joshua. Hunter said he saw something in Joshua’s game that could be exploited by Ward who smiled after his trainer made the bold statement. Ward said the sentiment was just another example of how big his trainer was always thinking. Ward is a very articulate athlete and his communicative skills are appreciated by members of the media accustomed to struggling with subjects who lack communicative skills.
The room was crowded but I managed to speak to the champ briefly and I reminded him that one of his last defeats was at the hands of then Arizona amateur Jesus “El Martillo” Gonzales who, as a professional compiled an impressive record of 27-2 and although he hasn’t officially announced his retirement, the Phoenix native hasn’t fought since 20212 when he was knocked out by Adonis Stevenson. It was a vicious knockout that left Gonzales lying on the canvas in an unconscious state for several minutes.
Ward listened to me and then responded: “did you know his mother was a boxing judge”. He laughed and then extended his regards to Gonzales and wished him well and asked me to relay the message. The family reads the column, I believe; so the message has been delivered.
Kovalev took to the microphone briefly and said he was disappointed in the outcome but said he could have continued even though he admitted fatigue. Sergey told the press that Ward was better prepared in the rematch. To summarize, Kovalev threw and landed more punches; however, Ward’s power punches tipped the scales in favor of the American in my opinion.
The error in judgment by Weeks was a minor mistake compared to what happened in the Guillermo Rigondeaux/Moises Flores featherweight world featherweight title bout, the featured co-main. The initial decision ruled that Rigondeaux (17-0) legally knocked out Flores ((25-0) at the end of round 1 thus retaining his title. The verdict was made after a replay clearly showed the Cuban boxing star was holding the back of Flores head while punching Flores at will long after the bell sounded signaling the end of round 1. After less than a careful review, referee Vic Drakulich and ringside officials ruled it was a legal knockout and Drakulich raised Rigondeaux hand to signal victory.
Since that wrongful decision was rendered, an appeal was made and the Nevada Athletic Commission has overturned it and declared the bout as a “No Contest.” Executive Director Bob Bennett released a statement confirming the change. In our opinion, Rigondeaux should have been disqualified; therefor making Flores the champion.
ABNN would like to thank Golden Boy Promotions and Berk Communications for the invite and my working stay was made very comfortable. We were fed and I was told the excess food was taken to a hog farm. Sorry to hear it wasn’t taken to a homeless shelter.
Boxing purists may fault me for leaving the press box (30 feet from the ceiling of the facility) after 5 bouts and move to the media room where I watched the four HBO televised bouts. The move was granted by a member of the public relations staff after I told the staffer that I didn’t think pigeons flew as high as we were. He said yes they did. I made the right decision in vacating my perch since the option of sitting ringside wasn’t available and buying a ticket wasn’t in my financial interest.
The first fight began at 2:30 PM with me in attendance while most journalists didn’t arrive at the venue until much later. I was impressed with the skills displayed by Bakhran Murtazaliev (9-0-7 knockouts). Enriko Gogokhia is a very good prospect and Luis Arias (18-0) successfully defended his title against a very slow Arif Magomedov; in very impressive fashion. The Junior Younan/Zolta Sera bout was blacked out in the media room; so, I missed his first round knockout victory. Insiders say he is the real deal. In my opinion, the card showcased some bright prospects. It would be nice to seem winners face stronger opponents, next time they step in the ring.
Boxing News: Arizona middleweight Andrew “Hurricane” Hernandez told ABNN recently that he has agreed to fight Undefeated Rob Bryant in Minnesota for the WBA Interim middleweight title; more details forthcoming……Tickets for the Alvarez/Golovkin September 16 Middleweight title bout at T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas went on sale June 22, 2017 and fans planning to go can call AXS-TIX at 1-888-929-7849). Tickets for the event are priced at $5,000.00, $2,500.00, $2,000.00, $1,500.00, $800.00, $700.00, $500.00 and $300.00, not including applicable service charges & taxes; ouch!
Independent ticket brokers are asking as much as $20,000.00 for high end seats (pun intended) at the arena; please purchase tickets from the box office or authorized vendors; counterfeiting sports ducats is big business and illegal. The Golden Boy promoted show (HBO PPV) could break records and the contest is highly anticipated and ABNN will view it in person or at the Twin Peaks Bar & Grill on Camelback Road in Phoenix, money for accommodations is a consideration.
After viewing the Canelo/Chavez fight, watching re-runs of a three stooges staged food fight would be an upgrade. Fight fans deserve better and September 16 should be a memorable night for boxing enthusiasts.