Sergey Kovalev could now have self-doubt and his ring return will not be easy, says Andre Ward
Thursday 31 August 2017 15:21, UK
Andre Ward says that Sergey Kovalev will now doubt his own ability and may struggle on his ring return after back-to-back defeats to the American.
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Ward stopped 'Kovalev' in the eighth round of their June clash to finally settle their light-heavyweight rivalry after Ward previously won a razor thin, albeit controversial, first fight back in 2016.
When you lose you doubt yourself and self doubt is the worst thing a fighter can have.
The unbeaten American now thinks that the defeats have seriously harmed the Russian powerhouse's reputation and questions whether he could once again return to boxing's elite level.
"I think it is going to be tough on Kovalev. I am not saying he can't get back to his best but his whole reputation was built on being the monster, being the Krusher," Ward told BoxingScene.com.
"Then when you get a guy who tells you he is going to penetrate it and actually do it - it is tough. You doubt yourself and self-doubt is the worst thing a fighter can have.
"It is not like it is out of the question but it is not going to be easy to come back mentally and psychologically."
