Ehh, Canada might as well be Europe as far as Americans are concerned. Don't like 90% of the people there live along the U.S. border? Are you guys planning a secret attack on us?
Well, you DID call me mate. But other than that, you directly insulted me without the name calling. I try to reserve the name calling for the name callers. Whatever you got is whatever you gave.
This whole thread has degenerated into garbage. To the guy who said ward would get caught in a corner, I highly doubt this. His footwork is way too good for that to happen. Look at the Miranda fight, Ward actually bullied Miranda the whole night, proved his chin a little by not going down when he did get hit, and basically had his pick of punches on Miranda all 12 rounds. While Miranda is a step below the elite level, Ward still completely outclassed Miranda. Ward has the power to sometimes KO guys, but he's definitely not a power puncher. KO's are not his style and that's fine by me. If I were him and what it took to win a fight was to be technical and win on points that's exactly what I'd do. That's what the sport allows so I don't see why some people hold it against him. After watching the first Miranda/Abraham fight I would pick Ward over Abraham based on how well both guys did against Miranda. Miranda was competitive with Abraham the whole 12 rounds, but it wasn't even close against Ward. But I know that Abraham anihilated Miranada the second time around with some heavy punching so he redeemed himself, but I would still pick Ward to beat Abraham. As for the argument over the resumes, that was a joke. I know nothing about Kessler and would like to see Ward win the whole tournament but even I can agree that Kessler's resume is better than Ward's. Given a chance Ward can prove himself over the next 3-4 years and I hope he does, but right now it's not even arguable. I'm rooting for Ward but I've never seen Kessler fight so I'm not predicting an outcome either way. I just know from what I've seen of Ward that Kessler has to be something very special to be able to beat Ward.
That's what I think too, Ward doesn't have the great defense to negate Kessler's offense. Ward is going to get hit and will struggle in a good fight.
Ward fought an excellent fight against Miranda. That was the first time I saw him fight, other than youtube, and I was really impressed. I found him very fast, very smart. I like good technical fighters with balls and Ward showed that against Miranda. In my book, Ward can win against Froch, Abraham, Dirrel and Taylor. Not sure at 100% but he has a good chance. Kessler is the toughest opponent in the tournament and the difference of level between the Danish and Miranda is huge. That's why I choose Kessler to win. That doesn't mean Ward is garbage. He will be part of the elite for many years. As for the power, winning on points is fair to me but that's not the point. When you don't have the power to knock your opponent down, he doesn't respect you and you may have problems to keep him away from you. That's all.
Funy how some of my fellow americans can hype a fighter who's fought exclusively in the weaker American circut against weak comp and hasn't even stepped it up and fough in europe against a euro. This isn't the 80's if you want to make it big you have to test yourself and fight euro's since they are dominating many of the divisions and this is especially true of 168. The only reason Ward, Dirrell and Taylor are even in the supper 6 is because of the $ from the US.
To put it in perspective. Pudwill who Ward fought last has a 22-4 rec that seems great on paper, but then you look and see that he's fought only 5 people with winning records and lost against 4 (3kos). Doesn't look like stelar comp to me...
1. I don't know what your definition of "bully" is but he did not "bully" Miranada, he clinched, held and was grabbing Miranda EVERY opporutinity he had, his athletic superiority one him that fight. 2.I have to also disagree, he actually has subpar power, comparable to winky wright if you asked me. 3. Arthur was fighting with a handicap against a guy headbutting at will for 7 rounds in some instances Arthur himself being the agressor, he removed all doubts in the 2nd fight. 4.I respect your opinion about Ward beating AA, but in my opinion, Ward will be AA's more easier fights. 5. If Kessler beats Ward I would not consider him something special, I am sorry I don't share your enthusiasm of Ward.