No way. Dirrel cannot handle pressure. Ward's middle name is 'pressure' (and he has skills which makes him really dangerous). See Dirrel - Handshaw to know what I am talking about. Handshaw bull rushed dirrel in round 1 or 2 and knocked him down. That is how you beat Matrix.
It's possible, but I want to see how dirrell looks in his come back fight in 2 weeks, then I'll give a better prediction on the ward dirrell fight.....as of right now Id give ward a 65% change of winning and dirrell a 35% chance...I do think dirrell has more speed and power then ward though
That about covers it. Not only would Ward have a mental strenght advantage, but I feel he's got that extra little bit of cleverness and nous in the ring to get the win against Dirrell.
In terms of talent yes but in a ring no. Dirrell is a ***** and Ward isn't. That is what sets them apart. Not to mention it is arguable that Dirrell has already bottled it.
He has the talent to beat Ward but maybe not the mental focus. I think he'd lose a close fight and would be Ward's most difficult opponent.
As foolish as Ward made Froch look at times, Dirrell made Froch look worse at moments during their fight. It's true that the mental toughness of Dirrell is a question mark but he might have the tools to both outbox Ward from the outside and keep him there. I hope to see them fight soon (or either one of them fight Bute).
Dirrell has the handspeed, but not the mental toughness to beat Ward IMO. People may hate him, but Calzaghe had the kind of style to beat Ward. I think that a good volume puncher who can fight on the inside could beat Ward. Bute would probably lose, but it would be a good fight I believe. He's much faster than Froch and Kessler... not that I think that Bute would beat both.
I agree and have argued that Dirrell would be Ward's toughest fight at 168. But only if Dirrell fights a mentally strong fight. He has the jab speed and athletic ability to do it.
Based on pure talent maybe, but Ward can fighte every way, inside outside rough, and i think he would fight Dirrell rough, as much as i like Dirrell i think he doesnt have mental strength to beat Ward.
its a fight i wanted to see. i like dirrells style and his quick hands and feet against ward. it wouyld be close but i give dirrell a good chance.
theres a reason why dirrell pulled out of the super 6. it was funny though dirrell was like "oh no we're friends we can't fight" while ward didn't give a **** and continued training.