Andre Ward claimed a highly controversial stoppage win over Sergei Kovalev in their rematch in Las Vegas on Saturday.
The American won a narrow decision in their first fight, with many observers believing the "Krusher" should have gotten the nod instead.
Leading up to the bout, Ward promised that he had learned from their first encounter and had the measure of the Russian.
"TERRIBLE STOPPAGE!" @PaulMalignaggi questions timing of @andreward stoppage, but the winner dismisses controversy: https://t.co/Aks5HbTdAf pic.twitter.com/tOCslf8vro
— Sky Sports Boxing 🥊 (@SkySportsBoxing) June 18, 2017
However, the back-and-forth affair, saw Ward marginally ahead as the fight entered the eight round.
The American launched a bombardment against Kovalev against the ropes, and, with his opponent hunched forward, referee Tony Weeks called a stop to the fight.
Picture by: Marcel Thomas/Zuma Press/PA Images
"Kovalev fought a good fight, but once I compute a fighter in my brain, I know what I had to do the next time around," said the victorious Ward after the bout.
Kovalev questioned the stoppage, suggesting he had received a low-blow in the lead-up to Tony Weeks' intervention, and is looking for a trilogy against the undefeated American.
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