Andre Ward vs Sullivan Barrera - Video Preview & Prediction

Very good assessment. I agree on most points.

I haven't seen Barrera in action yet, but we are going to trust Rumsfeld's judgment.

I assume that Barrera could pose Ward problems with his strength and size, but I've always considered Ward a fairly big and very strong super-middleweight, so we will see what happens in that department.

 

The fact that he is Cuban and that he went through Cuban boxing school looks enough for me to consider him a legitimate guy. Always trusted Cuban boxing pedigree.

I would assume that Ward would be in trouble if he isn't able to have his way on the inside (if Barrera appears to be too strong to comfortably tie up or beat on the inside). Jab is probably a good point, Barrera doesn't have huge reach, but he still has 5cm (plus height advantage) over Ward, who himself has very short reach, yet is pretty skillful with the jab.

It's definitely going to be an interesting fight, answering many questions about both boxers.

 

Good video, like how you include the footage while talking!

I think Barrera will frustrate Ward a bit and stun him a few times, looking at 7-5 Barrera with unbiased scoring :hat

 

Good video, and I mostly agree with your assessments.

For me, I take it as a given that Ward will at least reduce the effectiveness of Barrera's jab. In terms of movement and range management Ward is a couple levels above anything Barrera has seen.

Personally, I think the fight has two wild card factors.

The first being Barrera's *dedication* to body punching. Even if the jab doesn't land, he will throw to the body and he can always feint. Even in close, he throws to the body. Even if he takes one to give one, he throws to the body. I really think this is key, because Ward can be one of the most elusive boxers around. But if you are not going to shy away from it just because you occasionally catch a counter, Ward's body can be hit.

How will Ward hold up after 8 rounds of dedicated body punching by a LHW?

The other wildcard is as you pointed out, the deceptively quick hands and ability to punch and work inside then find range. Especially the uppercuts. Barrera seems to land much harder on the ribs in close than most as well.

I think Barrera will eat plenty of shots, and get frustrated at times. But if he doesn't let it get to him, doesn't let himself get baited into head hunting and stays focused on body work Ward is in for a potentially long night.

I'd predict a close fight on cards favoring Ward, with Barrera pulling a W if he manages to send Ward to the canvas after wearing him out.

But then again IDKSAB either

 

I think ward wins this in a pretty close fight.

 

Yes, YDKSAB. Lol..

 

Very good assessment of the fight Rummy.

I would give it 5 Stars, but it lacks your singing, music and seeing Ward knocked down, therefore I award you 1 Star.


But other than what its lacking, it was very good & I will definitely be waiting (impatiently I must add) to see the next episode...!!!

 

From what I saw in Barrera's last fight he doesn't have the skills to be a threat to Ward. There's just too big a gulf there. Physically, Barrera looks impressive, and he can punch, but with muscles and build like that I was just expecting him to be either faster or stronger. Anyway, he'll be a nice warm up for Ward before the Kovalev fight. He looks about the same level as Nadjib Mohammedi. I think Fonfara or Cleverly would be a better test at that weight. Even Yunieski Gonzalez with that volume punching would probably give Ward more problems like he did against Pascal.

You know who's name never comes up in these kinds of discussions? Juergen Braehmer. He's been top ten for several years now but nobody ever talks about him fighting the best guys at light heavyweight. He's never brought up as an opponent for Kovalev, Stevenson, or Beterbiev. Is it because he only fights in Germany?

 

Here is the video where Andre Ward said that the winner of the Super Six should fight Lucian Bute and other things he says and never did. Said he needed a vacation after the Super Six final. He gives the impression that he never had any intentions of fighting Bute or anybody. [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osIOBjGbYfY[/url]