2005 Jermain Taylor ve Andre Ward

Jermain was a strong and gifted athlete but let's face it, how he matched up with Hopkins was very deceptive as far as what level of fighter he actually was. He turned out to have enough limitations to say he would never quite make the grade as a great. He was very good but Ward, I strongly feel we've been witnessing a guy that is a special champion.

Pretty much any champion's got something special about them, compared to an average fighter, but I'm talking special among champions. I don't believe Taylor would've had it in him to keep adjoosting(sic) and keeping up with an incredible mind who matches him on athleticism, save raw power, as Jermain had the ability to stun most guys in him, but capitalising is another matter at the highest level. You saw it when he hurt Pavlik and Froch and ended up getting finished himself.

What about a guy that's a defensive expert? He won't stop him, he won't outbox him. That's my take. Trouble him a few rounds? Yes. I'd have to give him the benefit of the doubt on that. But, if we really want to be honest, BHOP, though well-preserved and able to deal with being faded and adjoost(sic) accordingly, he actually was faded all the way back then.

So, if you want to say Ward is very BHOPian, that's fine, but he's a youthful BHOPian. And he'd be keeping up with it all, speed for speed, punch for punch, round for round and dissecting and timing and pulling forward, all the time, I think. And Hopkins arguably did beat Taylor anyway, on a lot of cards. So, a man with incredible skill and the youth. I can't see how Taylor pulls it out on anything other than maybe some fluke kayo punch or cut.

 

Taylor's problems were underlined by a lack of champion level punch resistance. Ward is known to be quite pillow fisted so it would come down to skillz. Taylor would have a chance but with the fight most likely being in Oakland Ward would probably win a close UD

 

Hopkins was suited to Taylor. Andre Ward would probably win every round if a prime taylor fought ward.

JC would've schooled Ward though.

 

Ward eats Taylor alive. The only reason Hopkins lost twice to Taylor is that he had no stamina at 160 anymore and gave away a bunch of rounds trying to conserve energy. When Hopkins got aggressive and fought on the inside the way Ward does, Hopkins won those rounds.

Interesting hypo fights for Ward would have been Toney, Calzaghe and Jones.

 

Ward would have stopped any version of Taylor.

 

I think in the first half Taylor might do well may even be ahead after 4 rounds but his defensive liabilities and difficulty making 12 would lead to his defeat

 

Ward would have beat Tylor.

 

I absolutely agree. A youthful BHopian (which if anything works in his favor, not against him). Ward would be too physical and too equipped to be neutralized by Jermain's solid but basic skill-set.

There is one element we haven't seen clearly, and that's how Ward handles a speedy jab. But considering how dependent Taylor can be on that jab, it's hard to see Ward not finding a way around it with counters and advancing head-movement.

Ward by decision. (Though I'd be happy if in a year or two his improving finishing abilities begin making people rethink the reflexive "Ward UD" answer.)

 

Ward would put this clown on a stretcher.

 

Taylor SD

 

chad dawson was overrated.



just throwing that out there.

 

Taylor can present some early problems working behind that piston jab. But Ward is a master at making adjustments and figures a way to eliminate it and dominates the rest of the way through.

Likely it is a wide Ward UD, however, Ward might just push JT around and rough him up inside enough to get a very late TKO.

 

Taylor KOs ward if they fought prime for prime at 160.
I like Andre but I don't think skills wise he was were B-hop was in both of those fights. I also don't beleive Ward would be big enough to keep JT off of him, JT is taller has a 3inch reach advantage and was strong as hell and very active.

 

he DID NOT beat Hopkins.

and Ward by UD. too intellegent and young.