Andre Ward Considering Pavlik Fight and Move to Light Heavyweight

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Ripper11, Sep 23, 2012.


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  1. Ripper11

    Ripper11 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Andre Ward has run through the super middleweight division at this point, and even beat top light heavyweight Chad Dawson (who moved down a division for the fight) on September 8. The 28-year-old Oakland native understands that the pickings are getting slim in the 168-pound division, and has designs on moving up in weight soon, as he told The Boxing Lab podcast.

    "I don't know if it's going to be my next fight [moving up to 175], but I'm just excited about that next challenge and I think my body is going to be happy about having that extra weight on me as well. I think I'm going to be a lot stronger."

    Ward (26-0, 14 KO) would be favored -- and probably pretty heavily -- against anyone at 175 right now if he did move up in weight for his next fight, but he also mentioned the possibility of facing a familiar name at 168 next.

    "I mean you got guys like Kelly Pavlik out there. I know he's got one more shot left in him and he's mentioned my name and not disrespectfully. He's just saying he wants another crack at a top guy so Kelly is definitely an option. He's got a name and he's still a tough fighter."
     
    Ripper11, Sep 23, 2012
    Ripper11, Sep 23, 2012
    #1
  2. Earl-hickey

    Earl-hickey Boxing Junkie banned

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    Please, anyone but Pavlik for the love of god
     
    Earl-hickey, Sep 23, 2012
    Earl-hickey, Sep 23, 2012
    #2
  3. kirk

    kirk l l l Staff Member

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    Idk.... not a fan of him moving up unless he truly believes that 168 is weakening him.

    He wont be faster, his power will probably mean less.... the guys will be bigger (this isnt going from 135 to 140, this is a significant jump) and I just think he hampers himself by going to that weight if he doesnt need to.
     
    kirk, Sep 23, 2012
    kirk, Sep 23, 2012
    #3
  4. bballchump11

    bballchump11 2011 Poster of the Year Full Member

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    same here and it looks shady if he made Dawson moved down to 168 and then immediately moves up to 175 the fight afterward
     
    bballchump11, Sep 23, 2012
    bballchump11, Sep 23, 2012
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  5. WatchfortheHook

    WatchfortheHook Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Agree with this as well as the fact that there's just not a whole lot to do at LHW.What is there? Cloud? Pascal? Shumenov(meh)? Cleverly? What is there after that?

    At least at 168 there are still some names and some up and comers right around the corner (Oosthuizen, Stevenson, Rodriguez,Groves, etc.)

    LHW just seems like a bit of a wasteland.
     
    WatchfortheHook, Sep 23, 2012
    WatchfortheHook, Sep 23, 2012
    #5
  6. Moanamchara

    Moanamchara Boxing Addict Full Member

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    If he was planning this I do not know why he didn't move up to fight Dawson it would have meant more for his legacy amd yea theres the added risk but I am sure he still could have pulled it out. Dawson likes fighting at his own pace and if you pressure him he can't handle it.
     
    Moanamchara, Sep 23, 2012
    Moanamchara, Sep 23, 2012
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  7. vast

    vast Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    he could probably jump back and forth between the weight classes.
     
    vast, Sep 23, 2012
    vast, Sep 23, 2012
    #7
  8. Porgeous Porge

    Porgeous Porge Well-Known Member Full Member

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    did he win the ring 175 belt?

    id love to see him fight cloud or shumenov or campillo. even forgot pascal loaded division for him to try and clean

    pavlik is money but not a threat i dont think

    bute is possible if he beats froch
     
    Porgeous Porge, Sep 23, 2012
    Porgeous Porge, Sep 23, 2012
    #8
  9. Tha Realest

    Tha Realest Guest

    i'd like to see him beat up Pavlik and Bhop just for the hell of it. good names for a resume.
     
    Tha Realest, Sep 23, 2012
    Tha Realest, Sep 23, 2012
    #9
  10. Nonito Smoak

    Nonito Smoak Ioka>Lomo, sorry my dudes Full Member

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    It doesn't "look shady," it just is straight up shady.

    Clearly used as an advantage.
     
    Nonito Smoak, Sep 23, 2012
    Nonito Smoak, Sep 23, 2012
    #10
  11. Zacker

    Zacker Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Ward was 175 as an amateur. He will be as good or better moving up imo.
     
    Zacker, Sep 23, 2012
    Zacker, Sep 23, 2012
    #11
  12. crazy8s

    crazy8s Active Member Full Member

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    I agree with both you guys. I think his best bet would be to fight either Dirrell, Bute, or both and then jump up if no one else comes along.

    People forget. Changing divisions used to be rare. Now it's almost expected.
     
    crazy8s, Sep 24, 2012
    crazy8s, Sep 24, 2012
    #12
  13. kirk

    kirk l l l Staff Member

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    I actually think he fought at middleweight for much of his amature career, I want to say he moved up to 175 only for the olympics for a specific reason and it wasnt because that was where he should be. Something like so someone else could fight at his weight or something like that.

    Idk I could be wrong....

    anyways.

    Hed be moving up to fight bigger guys for what reason? There are no big scalps for him at 175 and more danger. It makes no sense unless hes having serious trouble making weight, which he hasnt outright said.

    Id understand if there were some big glory awaiting him there, some big names.... something. The only thing Id care to even see would be a rematch with Dawson at the weight.

    But ay, hes smart and he knows what hes doing, if he moves to 175 it will be a move that is made for a reason, and Ill be rooting for him regardless. I just dont think it makes much sense for a fighter that is already undersized and underpowered, and whos speed is nothing all that great.

    We will see though.
     
    kirk, Sep 24, 2012
    kirk, Sep 24, 2012
    #13
  14. haworths623

    haworths623 Guest

    Pavlik is taylor made for Ward. He will shut him out.
     
    haworths623, Sep 24, 2012
    haworths623, Sep 24, 2012
    #14
  15. damian38

    damian38 BigDramaShow Full Member

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    good move, he could easily clean out LHW as well
     
    damian38, Sep 24, 2012
    damian38, Sep 24, 2012
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