I don't think he's protected. He wasn't rushed to title contention after he turned pro, but thats a good thing. He already dominated the guy (Kessler) that many favored to win the super six, so how at this stage of his career is he being protected?
I don't think there's anyone that would prefer to see Ward-Green over Ward-Taylor. JT I think would give Ward problems with his jab and speed. I'm not sure if he could rough up Taylor like he did either but I could see Ward trying to use the same strategy Wright did. Come at him and be busy when Taylor is on the ropes.
Go hunt down every ref that handled Bernard Hopkins fights, you will see it isn't clear cut with guys who know how to work the opponent.
Lol, I actually don't think Hopkins was dirty in all of his fights but a high 90% is accurate. I don't recall him trying dirty tactics on Trinidad or Pavlik. .
The first UN-INTENTIONAL headbutt from Ward came in the 10th round vs Kessler...He had already won the first 9 rounds. So yeah....2 points would turned the whole fight, good call:-(. Green and Bika were late addition who holds no leverage and were not even chosen for the original "Super 6". So they don't deserve a neutral site and should be thankful to be in the Tourney. NUFF SAID!!!:deal
I voted yes in your poll. I don't recognize the headbutts as a legitimate issue, but I do think that he's being treated as the golden child of the tournament and that it's to the detriment of the other fighters. I also don't believe that his worth as a fighter, either good or bad, has anything to do with that treatment.
It seems to me like this tourney was made just for Ward this is why I started this poll. Now they are talking about Bute vs Ward fight. Why Bute was not invited here in the beginning? Why they got Green to fight Ward? There are some questions I have no answers and maybe together we can figure it out. Thanks for replies guys.
He's been somewhat protected but that doesn't change the fact that he's the real deal and will eventually be a P4P stalwart for years to come.
His skills are definitely protecting him. They didn't allow Miranda, Kessler or Green to lay a glove on him. If this kid has a chin he will **** everyone's **** up at 168 with ease.
and if this happens Bika faces Bute again right? And Bika Bute winner with S6 winner. But I dont think Bika can do anything to win it only if he dont headbutt back atsch
Bika won't risk his belt against Bute ... the same way that Stieglitz doesn't want to. Bute beat Bika in the IBF eliminator in 2007 via UD 116-111,116-111,118-109 Bika was applauding his opponent at the end of that fight witch tells me he recognized him as superior fighter. He won't go against Bute unless he thinks he can ko him and have a big one against the S6 winner. But who rly knows maybe he only wants big pay days and he is willing to risk it all. Anyway Ward might taste his own medicine in this fight. Look at 2:37 [url]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2fbgj_lucian-bute-vs-sakio-bika-4-4_sport[/url] one of the many head clashes in that fight.