Kovalev is most certainly not an ATG, he was a very good fighter with a short prime. Him, Castillo, Corrales and Kessler too, are all borderline HOFers.
Again there's nothing wrong with Ward winning FOTD, you can definitely make that argument. But to act like he's the only option is seriously deluded.
No doubt about it that GGG was more dedicated to his craft that Kovalev. GGG didn't have alcohol problems like Kovalev, wasn't ever soft to the body like Kovalev, and didn't turn out to be a one-trick pony like Kovalev was either.
Ward getting FOTD says more about the decade and other boxers than it does about Ward's so-called amazing feat.
I'm 39 and I confirm that age affects your overall athletic ability and a lot. Age is not just a number.
How on earth can you say Andre Ward is Fighter of the Decade ?? From 2011 to 2020 , The time span of the decade, Ward fought a total of 9 times YES that was NINE TIMES. He supposedly retired in 2017 This is ludicrous
No way. Take away Ward's filthy dirty spoiling and cheating and use of illegal tactics and stacked to high heaven stacked deck and he becomes at least 50% more beatable. Floyd, whilst guilty of plenty of deck-stacking himself, swerving of prime greats and being fond of Huggy Bear Pie and Elbow Soup, was a special talent and he didn't have to rely on the excessive use of illegal spoiling tactics to get the W. And Floyd beat 24 former or current world champions, Ward only beat 6. Usyk has already beaten 5 in just 17 fights and he beat them all in their backyards something which Ward wouldn't have ever dared do once.
Yea, but did Floyd fight the guy? Cuz I saw Ward do it. Andre Ward fought the man who was without doubt the most dominant fighter in the sport p4p from the years 2013-2015 and made him look human when every other man sub 200 pounds would have crumbled like a piece of wet paper.
I give Floyd a lot of crap but it’s hard to argue that he’s not the best of his generation, along with Manny. Ward was a really good fighter at SMW, beat a big name at LH but he’s not close to the best LH in history. Floyd has a strong case for being the best at all of the divisions in which he fought. He’s a historic name on the Boxing Mt. Rushmore if it existed. Ward is just a really good boxer for his era. If Ward had not spent so many years inactive, maybe the story would have been different. Regardless of the reasons, Ward tainted his legacy by being so inactive and by retiring after only fighting one LH.
Floyd Mayweather become the highest earner in boxing history and his biggest purses came against guys who were well past their prime. So that's the point.
Agreed. People toss out ATG too haphazardly. Seems winning a belt and having a couple big wins is enough for some now a days.
Great thread but I don't agree. Ward is without a doubt one of the most mentally tough fighters I've seen and IMO the fighter of the decade but he's not better than PBF. His longevity is no where as good nor were his skills nor his ability to climb through weight classes nor was his aura of being the best like PBF had. Lastly the Canelo win is a better win than any win Ward has.
He got FOTD by Sport's Illustrated award. BWAA is the big one and PBF got that one.. http://www.bwaa.org/single-post/2020/01/17/Floyd-Mayweather-Is-The-BWAA’s-Fighter-Of-The-Decade