Which is the biggest challenge for Andre Ward right now?

I think Dirrell, though I don't necessarily think Dirrell would win or make it close. Simply put, Dirrell just has a unique skill-set, and with his speed, straight crisp punching, ability to fight off the back foot, length, and defense, he's just a guy that is always going to be nightmarish for shorter fighters.

That said I do think Ward would win, probably about 8-4, but wouldn't be surprised if it were wider. Bute and Cloud would be the other fights that would pose a significant challenge to Ward.

Steiglitz? WTF?

 

Dawons followed by Bute.

 

James Degale

 

dirrell has the tools, but he cracks. i d see that like floyd-zab, where andres composure and discipline is the difference late. i think ward dosent meet his match until he looks at 175- there dawson, hopkins, etc will give him a challenge. he s the class of 168 by far.

 

I actually think both Ward and Dirrell rip on Dawson. I don't see much of a challenge there for them.

 

dawson

 

dawson in future, maybe 2013.

but as far as now, he, if he wants to be not only sm champ but sm king clean out the division and fight 2-3 times in 2012 before challenging the lh king in 2013.

april: lucian bute

august: andre direll

december: anthony direll

if he beat them guys, along with his previous wins over abraham, froch & kessler there would be absolutly no question who the best sm is. and he would be easily 1 or 2 in most of p4p ranking, because pacquiao is pretty soon hanging up the gloves and martinez is running out of quality oppoents at middleweight and for sm he is to small.

 

Dawson @ 175

The only fight there that I would not pick Ward very confidentely in would be vs. Dawson.

After that, there is a huge gap and then: Cloud, Bute, Dirrell in that order. Cloud over Bute due to the weight class and, well, I just have never been high on Bute.

 

Ward v.s. Bute is unavoidable.

 

Ward is too consistent and smart for someone as erratic as Dirrell, although i do think Dirrell is underrated. Dawson simple isn't disciplined enough and would not generate the necessary output to bag enough rounds, a little bit like Dirrell i guess. The chances of Dirrell whining and getting discouraged by Ward's mauling and dodgy tactics are pretty much a certainty.

I went with Hopkins although Bute would have a punchers chance.

 

Surprised by the amount of votes for Dawson

 

Let the winner of Steglitz-Kessler meet Bute and the winner of that matchup get a shot against Ward. Then he moves up to 175 and takes on Chad Dawson, Bernard Hopkins, Cloud, Pascal and Cleverly.

 

Bute. No doubt.