Andre Ward, the undefeated former world champion, has revealed the fear he felt before his 2016 fight against Sergey Kovalev in his new autobiography, Killing The Image. The Olympic gold medalist, who retired with a perfect 32-0 record, admitted to concerns about his health and the dangerous reputation of his opponent.
Ward, now 39, moved up to light heavyweight to face Kovalev, a fearsome champion who had knocked out 25 opponents, including Roman Simakov, who died three days after their 2011 bout. Ward also struggled with lingering knee issues, requiring his surgically repaired joint to be drained before the fight. 'There was times that I thought it was reckless,' Ward told Mail Sport. 'How am I gonna fight the most dangerous man I've ever fought?'
During the fight at Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena, Ward was knocked down in the second round for the first time since his amateur days. Despite his father's advice to take time before rising, Ward jumped up quickly, driven by embarrassment and anger. 'I gotta get you back,' he recalled. The knockdown proved a turning point, allowing him to shed his nerves and fight his own fight.
Ward went on to win a controversial unanimous decision, becoming the first man to defeat Kovalev. He won their rematch the following year by knockout before retiring. The memoir also delves into Ward's troubled upbringing, including his parents' drug battles and his time on the streets, offering a rare glimpse behind his steely persona.
