The highlights of the first controversial fight in Sergey Kovalev vs Andre Ward in Las Vegas. This started a wave of online debate.

Sergey Kovalev vs Andre Ward 1 proved to be the beginning of what turned out to be one of the most heated back and forth exchanges between two groups of boxing fans ever online.

It ended with a Ward win on points, but many felt on the night that the decision deserved to go the Sergey ‘Krusher’ Kovalev who had for most ringside journalists’ money – done enough to get the decision.

SEE ALSO: Current world champions

He knocked Ward down in the fight and largely scored the telling blows in the contest but it was Ward who came away with the decision.

Despite it been a meeting of two of boxing’s pound for pound best fighters in the world at the time, the event proved to be a flop on pay per view and indeed with ticket sales on the night.

Many blamed the lack of promotion going into the fight where essentially the only people who knew about it (and cared about it) were hardcore boxing fans come round one.

It spawned a second fight later on in 2017 which ultimately Ward won inside the distance. But again that fight was to not be without its fair share of controversy either.

Some suggested Ward’s use of low blows prompted the stoppage.

Regardless, Ward and Kovalev are not likely to meet ever again for a third time due to the horrendous business both of their fights did on pay per view.

Indeed, the 2nd fight was suspected to have bombed even worse than the first. Although official figures were never released to the public.

Here are the highlights via HBO YouTube of what happened Sergey Kovalev vs Andre Ward 1. In that first controversial meeting: