SERGEY KOVALEV, sitting alongside his promoter Kathy Duva, spoke of his confusion and disappointment after Andre Ward won the IBF, WBA and WBO light-heavyweight titles when he was awarded the unanimous decision inside the T-Mobile Arena. Many disagreed with the three cards that read 114-113 in the American’s favour, and Duva promised that an immediate rematch will occur.
“There is a rematch clause,” Duva confirmed. “The only way it’s not immediate is if both fighters agree for it not to be immediate. But we will not be agreeing to that. It will be immediate.”
Kovalev up by 59-54 (twice) and 58-55 after six rounds. pic.twitter.com/YWQ7HS1sHX
— Matt Christie (@MattCBoxingNews) November 20, 2016
After six rounds, Kovalev – who scored a knockdown in round two – was ahead 59-54 on two cards, and 58-55 on the third. Ward rallied down the stretch, but Duva does not believe it was anywhere near enough to win the bout.
“I don’t think Sergey lost any of the first six rounds,” said the Main Events boss. “He had a two-point [10-8] round in the second, he clearly won the 11th and 12th. When a guy [Ward] is backing up, scoring an occasional jab, and wrestling. Sergey was trying to make the fight and he [Ward] was trying to run. The judges obviously like running and wrestling but this is boxing.”
Kovalev added: “I don’t think I won [only] because I dropped him early. I won with my speed and power. He would touch me with the jab, and then grab. I don’t understand.
“I feel a bit uncomfortable because I don’t agree with the decision. Boxing fans saw what happened today.
“I got loss on my record by wrong decision. That’s all I think.”
Watch the full post-fight press conference here:
