Bute performed better against common opponents(Miranda, Bika), had a title, and offered a huge payday in Montreal and even that wasn't enough "earn" a fight with Ward. Would've been a good payday and a chance to clean out the division and Ward turned into a promoter/manager when asked about fighting Bute after winning the Super 6. Before the Super 6 final, both Froch and Ward acknowledged that fighting Bute and cleaning out the div. was the next logical step for the winner. I'm not a Bute fan, I just never understood Ward's reluctance to make that fight.
Ward beat Kessler by intentional, illegal headbutt that came from across the ring. Ward's personal referee believes that illegal, intentional headbutts are legal as long as it's Ward doing the headbutting. Ward has to have his home town, personal referee, judges, boxing commission, commentators, etc.
Both Froch and Kessler makes significantly more money fighting in Europe than Ward does in the US. Kessler even made more money fighting Brain Magee than Ward made fighting Dawson. Which Ward did not do. No, but he has had ridiculously biased referees. Possible, but Ward failed to meet your criterias.
1) You must agree to fight in his backyard...literally. 2) Ward is allowed to tag one of his relatives to fight for him while he rests.
Because he said he'd outdo Floyd in the OST department. As I understand it BTW, Ward wasn't even required to pay a single penny for testing for Rodriguez, so I guess it's safe to say that you have failed.
Except that's not true is it? The money men of the Super Middleweight division of the last five years have been Froch, Kessler and Bute. And, historically, the Super Middleweight divisions generates more money in Europe than it does in the States - Eubank was the most well paid fighter in the world in his prime, Eubank/Benn generated more money than Jones/Toney, etc. America might be the big money boxing market but Ward isn't a big money boxer, he's not a big draw and doesn't attract fans, despite being highly rated within the sport - just like Hopkins - and he doesn't have any opponents in the states than can generate him money the same way Froch or Kessler could have - even a superfight against the then Light Heavyweight King couldn't match Froch or Kessler's earnings. And, if the fights "came to" Ward he would not have had to try to drag an almost retired recovering alcoholic Pavlik into the ring, or tried to get Martinez from the Middleweights to move up to fight him. Fact is, people aren't lining up to fight him. He represents a high risk/low reward fight because he is a great boxer that would beat most people but he doesn't bring enough money to the table for champions from other division or other champions in his division to risk the loss.
Ward should not be blamed for Dawson coming to 168lbs. Dawson called him out on HBO, saying he'll make 168lbs.
You are wrong there though Because most of those complaints were aimed at Ward BEFORE The Froch fight I dont see the issue though, Ward won all his fights easily, he is top class. I wouldn't say Froch fans are too butthurt though, their guy has beat Bute and Kessler since, and will enjoy another PPV fight shortly He's won some fighjts and made plenty of money. Since the Ward fight, Froch cant complain with how his career has gone.
Gotta admit, Ward's refusal to test is baffling unless he DOES have something to hide. I don't know they the boxing orgs don't just make drug tests MANDATORY and BAN any boxer who REFUSES to have them. Besides, Ward is a SHAMELESS DUCKER who blatantly DUCKED Lucian Bute and is going to DUCK Kovalev and GGG.
oh the irony... don't you see how froch is reluctant to fight ward in america? ward schooled froch, period. don't blame the refs or judges... froch only fights in the UK too... bute, kessler, etc. all his losses are away from home
I could have sworn Ward fought Froch in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Why should Ward have to bend to Froch when he won the first fight easy? I say they just fight in neutral territory.