Russian boxer Sergei Kovalev failed to regain the world title by versions of the WBA, WBO and IBF, losing on Saturday in Las Vegas, American Andre Ward TKO in the 8th round.
Photo: Marcel Thomas / Zuma / Global Look In November last year, the Russian lost to the American player on points and parted ways with the world title. After that fight Kovalev stated that the judges had "robbed him," and wished to take advantage of the rematch clause that was prescribed in the contract.
During yesterday's battle Kovalev bent several times, showing the judge that he missed the blows below the belt, but the referee ordered him to continue the duel each time. In the eighth round, the Russian missed a strong blow, then Ward hit him several times on the body, after which Kovalev sat on the ropes. The duel was stopped, the American was awarded a technical knockout victory.
As follows from the judicial notes promulgated by the journalist of the edition "Ring" by Mike Coppinger, at the time of stopping the fight, Ward led in the notes of two judges with a score of 67:66 and lost at the third - 65:68. The fight was stopped 21 seconds before the end of the 8th round.
Vice-President of the Federation of Professional Boxing of Russia Andrei Ryabinsky, recognizing that Kovalev badly dueled, accused judges of bias. "Kovalev badly otboksiroval, yes, but I'm not talking about him, I'm about judging. This is some kind of lawlessness and beastliness already: two hits in the groin of Kovalev, and the referee announces a knockout without even opening an account. With such judging, as in the fight Kovalev - Ward, boxing just loses meaning. Again, the whole world sees how Ward pulls his ears to "victory," - he was indignant on Twitter.
Referee Tony Weeks admitted that he made a mistake, early stopping the fight between Russian Sergey Kovalev and American Andre Ward. He wrote about this in his Twitter.
"I watched the repeats and I have to admit that I was wrong - I did not see the blows below the belt from the side of Ward," wrote Wicks. - I stopped the fight because Kovalev did not defend himself. If I saw that the blows were below the belt, I would not have stopped the duel ".
Representing the interests of the Russian promoter company Main Events will protest the result of the battle. "We will file a protest and ask the commission to reconsider the repetitions with the decisive blow of Ward," Kovalev's promoter Katie Duva said at a press conference.
Kovalev himself claims that he could continue the fight and does not understand why the judge decided to stop him. "Not every round, but I acted very well. I'm sure that he (Ward) could not strike such a blow that would end the fight. Yes, he hit, but did not shake me. The duel should be continued. I really want to spend with him a third fight, "- said the Russian boxer.
This time, there is no point on holding a mandatory revanche in the contract.