Ward stops Kovalev in eight to win rematch

It turned out, that's exactly what Andre Ward had in mind, too.

This time around, though, Ward left no doubt as he defeated Kovalev by TKO at 2:25 of the eighth round to retain his unified light heavyweight titles and soar to become the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. That doesn't mean, however, that this victory was without controversy.

"I was breathing, he was breathing, but I'm used to working exhausted", Ward said. Much like the first bout, Kovalev and Ward battled at a grueling pace through the first seven rounds in another razor close fight.

Ward toppled Sergey Kovalev in a Las Vegas showdown on Saturday night and, when asked what his next move could entail, the superstar admitted anything is possible in the sport.

Using a strategy of aiming for the solar plexus, Ward made Kovalev uncomfortable enough to complain on three occasions before a final assault saw Tony Weeks step in.

Kovalev himself could not contain his anger at his post-fight press conference, calling the refereeing of the fight "bull****".

"It was a low blow", he said as he watched a replay of the stoppage.

Referee Tony Weeks calls a timeout Saturday night after Andre Ward, left, appeared to have hit Sergey Kovalev with a low blow during the second round of their light heavyweight championship bout. "The fight should have continued". "I didn't feel he could throw the punch that would end the fight".

"We are boxers. I could still continue". "I've never seen somebody knocked out on a low blow until tonight, and I hope I never have to see it again". I knew he was hurt.

Said Ward, exhausted of all of the drama: "Whatever the excuses were this time, I just don't have the energy".

"Why stop the fight?" he said. "Krusher" covered up and slumped over, but two more punches came from Ward and they both were on the border.

"I knew it was close, I went right back to the body", Ward said. "Then the referee stopped the fight".

Andre Ward has brushed aside claims his win against Sergey Kovalev was overshadowed by a questionable stoppage decision.

By Rounds 2 and 3, Ward began landing short, hard shots on the inside, while Kovalev landed right hands from a distance. In round 7 Kovalev was showing small tell tale signs of fatigue by fighting with an open mouth. "When I hit him with the last one he didn't react". Kovalev doubled over in an effort to sway Weeks into calling a halt for illegal punches, but the veteran third man deemed them legal and chose to waive off the fight, much to Kovalev's dismay. Seems to be getting frustrated as Ward lands a left to the side of the head. "We had a good camp last time, we had some physical issues". [Ward] punched me low blow already a few times during the fight. He also had a plea for his critics.

"It's gotta be the right guy, but I dream big. Can I get on the pound-for-pound list now at the top?" said Ward. So I just have to keep my head down and keep working. He suggested possibly fighting at cruiserweight or heavyweight if the right opportunity comes up.

"That's always been a dream of mine", Ward said. I sparred 123 this time, against four different guys.

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