Sergey Kovalev demands Andre Ward rematch after losing controversial decision in Las Vegas
Ward unified light-heavyweight division but Russian not impressed with judges decision
SERGEY KOVALEV called for a rematch after dropping his world light-heavyweight titles to Andre Ward.
The Russian, 33, floored Ward in the second round but was on the wrong end of a narrow points decision at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
Yank Ward claimed the WBA Super, IBF and WBO belts when all three judges scored the fight 114-113 in his favour.
Kovalev fumed: “It’s the wrong decision. The people are the witnesses and everybody saw what happened.
“It was the biggest fight of my life and I am disappointed with the judges’ decision.
“I lost maybe three rounds in all the fight. Of course I want a rematch.”
Kovalev knew the Californian would have the crowd’s backing but highlighted the fact all three judges were American.
He added: “I am the guest here in the USA. He’s a local and all the judges were from the USA.
“I agree they support a boxer. But be honest, this is a sport — don’t make it politics. I won this fight.”
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Former super-middleweight champ Ward, 32, refused to discuss the possibility of a rematch.
But he insisted the judges had been right to award him the victory.
He said: “I knew it was going to be a tough fight. You never anticipate getting dropped, but I was pleased with the way I responded.
“He did everything I expected, including fade a little bit. He never quit but he started to slow.
“Sometimes you are going to win close fights and that’s the way it is. At the end of the day I am a two-division world champion.
"I will leave it for the people, the pundits and critics to say. I’m just happy we got this decision.”