After being knocked down in the second round, Ward won a closely contested decision with all three judges scoring the fight 114-113 in favor of Ward, winning Kovalev's WBA (Undisputed), IBF, and WBO light heavyweight titles.
Ward won a closely contested decision with all three judges. These three judges were scoring the fight 114-113 in favor of Ward, IBF, and WBO light heavyweight titles. Favor of Ward was winning Kovalev's WBA (Undisputed). Ward was being knocked down in the second round.