Exclusive interview with Andre Ward - next fight Q&A

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by drozzy, Dec 25, 2011.


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  1. drozzy

    drozzy AERE Full Member

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    Nov 2, 2010
    Source: http://thesweetscience.com/news/articles/13835-andre-ward-talks-about-injured-hand-butemarkarian

    (sorry if it's been posted already...)

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    RM: So about your next opponent, Kessler and Bute are names being thrown out there. Virgil and I have talked about a possible Kessler rematch for you even before the Froch fight. Some people want to see you fight Lucian Bute. He was in Atlantic City to watch and seems thirsting to get you in the ring. Is there anyone in particular that you want to fight next?

    AW: No, I am not going to call anyone out, Ray. I meant what I said about the Bute situation. I think Bute is a great talent. Obviously he is a great draw in Quebec. I also feel, actually collectively everyone that has been in the Super Six can say that he has laid back. I think Bute needs to beat some significant fighters before he could demand a unification bout. But he is definitely someone I’d like to fight. I would love a rematch with Kessler. You know, they have shown interest. He is fighting in April against Robert Stieglitz for the WBO belt. There is another belt that could be on the line. So there are a lot of options, Ray. We are just going to sit down as a team and see what makes sense. That is the beauty of winning a tournament like this. We are able to make a solid decision. We are not forced to do anything. We have paid our dues up until this point to make a sound decision. All of the names that you mentioned are realistic options. Nobody can say we are ducking anybody. We just fought the best fighters in the division for the last two and a half years. So nobody can say we are ducking anybody. We just have to see what makes sense.

    RM: Is moving up in weight is an option?

    AW: Yep.

    RM: Well, you beat the best at 168, except Bute, who has not fought anyone in the Super Six besides Glen Johnson. And it is going to take at least a year for Bute to beat two or three guys that were in the Super Six.

    AW: Right.

    RM: So for you, it is either a Kessler rematch or move up in weight?

    AW: Moving up is on my radar. I don’t know if I would campaign at light heavyweight. I always wanted to become a multidivisional champion. I think I can fight at 175. That is definitely something that I want to do at some point. And that is the downside to winning a tournament like the Super Six. Because like you said, most of the top guys were in that tournament. Everything was put together and boom we’re done so it’s like, who do you fight now? So now, there are still some fights at 168 pounds and 175 is an option.

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    Thoughts? When do you guys think Ward will make the jump to 175? Will he wait for "Bute to beat two or three guys that were in the S6"?
     
    drozzy, Dec 25, 2011
    drozzy, Dec 25, 2011
    #1
  2. thawk888

    thawk888 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Well, Ward definitely does recognize that there are fighters at 168 he still has to face, and he didn't sound incredibly to eager to move up, so we'll see.

    He should clean out the division against Direll and Bute then move up or just reign.
     
    thawk888, Dec 25, 2011
    thawk888, Dec 25, 2011
    #2
  3. cippi

    cippi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    hes duckin bute imo
     
    cippi, Dec 25, 2011
    cippi, Dec 25, 2011
    #3
  4. thawk888

    thawk888 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Here we go.. :roll:
     
    thawk888, Dec 25, 2011
    thawk888, Dec 25, 2011
    #4
  5. Marlow

    Marlow Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I agree with him that Bute has fought nobody but i still want to see him fight Bute.

    If he won't fight Bute or Dirrell then he may as well move up cos there's not much left after that.

    Host of great fights at 175 for him.
     
    Marlow, Dec 25, 2011
    Marlow, Dec 25, 2011
    #5
  6. neuromancer

    neuromancer Member Full Member

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    Bute needs only one win against Froch to get in the ring with Ward.
    And I think he can do it.
     
    neuromancer, Dec 26, 2011
    neuromancer, Dec 26, 2011
    #6
  7. VIP

    VIP Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Bute is the #1 contender by process of elimination.

    I'd like to see that fight next up.
     
    VIP, Dec 26, 2011
    VIP, Dec 26, 2011
    #7
  8. decapitor

    decapitor Guest

    "I think Bute needs to beat some significant fighters before he could demand a unification bout. But he is definitely someone I’d like to fight. I would love a rematch with Kessler."

    bute would ko this billy goat all the way back to oakland
     
    decapitor, Dec 26, 2011
    decapitor, Dec 26, 2011
    #8
  9. shaunster101

    shaunster101 Yido Full Member

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    Makes sense to me.

    Fight Kessler and pick up another strap. Let Bute beat Froch and get that name on his record, then it's Bute - Ward in a big unification fight.

    Bute is the guy everyone is saying will be Wards toughest fight. If Andre fights and beats him comfortably straight away, everyone will just say 'oh, Bute was just hype. who did he beat except and old Glenn Johnson?'. You know it works round here.

    Get another belt in the mix, let Lucian convince the non believers by beating a Froch or Kessler and then we have a super fight down the line.
     
    shaunster101, Dec 26, 2011
    shaunster101, Dec 26, 2011
    #9
  10. Badlok

    Badlok Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    So Kessler is the Easy fight Goosen was talking about :think

    Who want to see a rematch of that fight ?
     
    Badlok, Dec 26, 2011
    Badlok, Dec 26, 2011
    #10
  11. shaunster101

    shaunster101 Yido Full Member

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    I'd watch it.
     
    shaunster101, Dec 26, 2011
    shaunster101, Dec 26, 2011
    #11
  12. Evian McGirt

    Evian McGirt Drink some water baby! Full Member

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    Oct 11, 2011
    Be interesting to see what happens with mandatory defences aswell.

    The sanctioning bodies held off on enforcing mandatories during the S6 tournament so they'll surely want their pound of flesh soon?

    Ward holds the WBA "Super" title, with Karoly Balzsay recently picking up the "Regular" title so mandatories from WBA will probably be diverted to Balzsay.

    WBC have Anthony Dirrell ranked no.1 challenger, could see that fight happening next for Ward.
     
    Evian McGirt, Dec 26, 2011
    Evian McGirt, Dec 26, 2011
    #12
  13. AnotherFan

    AnotherFan Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I'd watch it. Would be interesing to see if Kessler is somewhat able to bounce back after what Ward did to him. Doubt it, though.
     
    AnotherFan, Dec 26, 2011
    AnotherFan, Dec 26, 2011
    #13
  14. laffie

    laffie Montreal Full Member

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    That scenario is reasonable to me, even if I would have liked bute to face Ward right away. IF Bute beats Ward convincingly and Ward still doesn't want to face him, well, that will be sad for boxing.
     
    laffie, Dec 26, 2011
    laffie, Dec 26, 2011
    #14
  15. cesare-borgia

    cesare-borgia Übermensch in fieri Full Member

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    Im annoyed that ward isnt willing to fight hopkins and vice versa, that no i love you, we are never fighting each other stoff made me cringe.
    I would love to see a high level technical fight between bhop and ward eventhough it would be boring.
    It sucks that he exluded the possibility so clearly.
     
    cesare-borgia, Dec 26, 2011
    cesare-borgia, Dec 26, 2011
    #15
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