Andre Ward vs. Rubin Williams

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Lampley, Mar 13, 2008.


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  1. Lampley

    Lampley Boxing Junkie banned

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    I think this is an interesting bout next Thursday for the 168-pound division.

    Ward had a very good 2007, stopping all of his opponents and looking much more confident and professional than he did his first couple years. He is developing a style suited for himself now, and Williams is a nice step up.

    Williams, on the other hand, appears to be declined, or at least uninterested. He hasn't been very active and, when he's been in the ring, hasn't been very good. Still, he's an experienced guy who's been in against hitters (Lacy, Green) and won't stand in awe of a former Olympian.

    Ward should take this, and if he does, he could headline a B.A.D. card later this year.


    Here's a blurb on the bout:
    ________________


    Ward to fight 'Mr. Hollywood' in S.J.

    , STAFF AND WIRE REPORT
    Article Created: 02/27/2008 02:36:12 AM PST

    var requestedWidth = 0;
    if(requestedWidth > 0){ document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').style.width = requestedWidth + "px"; document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').style.margin = "0px 0px 10px 10px"; } Olympic boxing gold medalist Andre Ward of Oakland will put his unbeaten record on the line against former world super middleweight title challenger Rubin "Mr. Hollywood" Williams in a March 20 bout in San Jose. The Ward-Williams fight will be the main event kicking off the fourth season of the "Fight Night at the Tank" series at HP Pavilion. The scheduled 10-round super middleweight contest will be televised at a later date on FSN's "Best Damn Sports Show Period."
    Ward (14-0, 9 KOs), who turned 24 last week, will be making his fourth appearance as a pro at the HP Pavilion. Ward will be facing his "most formidable opponent to date" in Williams (29-3-1, 16 KO), according to Ward's trainer, Virgil Hunter.
    "He's tough on paper and he's tough in person," Ward said of the 31-year old Williams, a Detroit native who lost to Jeff Lacy in his title challenge.

    Super middleweight Francisco Santana (8-0, 4 KOs) of Santa Barbara will face Karim 'Hard Hitta' Mayfield (5-0-1, 5 KOs) of San Francisco on the undercard of the Ward-Williams fight.
     
    Lampley, Mar 13, 2008
    Lampley, Mar 13, 2008
    #1
  2. Illmatic

    Illmatic Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Rubin Williams couldve been a titlist if he wasnt such a lazy ****.
     
    Illmatic, Mar 13, 2008
    Illmatic, Mar 13, 2008
    #2
  3. sean

    sean pale peice of pig`s ear Full Member

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    poor old williams could not even hit a few lights on a stationary board his hand eye coordination was so shot , leanoard was worried for his health.

    but nothing wrong as an opponent for a good prospect and ward will and should look very good , and williams will fight to survive and box conservativley and hopefully take home a good payday.
     
    sean, Mar 13, 2008
    sean, Mar 13, 2008
    #3
  4. marting

    marting Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I'm hoping for a solid performance by Ward. He's had a couple of fights early on where he looked a little susceptible to counters but I think he's evolving into a very good fighter.

    At only 24 he could be a force in the super middleweight division. He might want to set his sites on some the Euro competition since they have a large contingency in this weight division.
     
    marting, Mar 13, 2008
    marting, Mar 13, 2008
    #4
  5. sean

    sean pale peice of pig`s ear Full Member

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    i never saw ward`s earlier fights , but what i have seen of him since , i have been impressed.

    looks a natural fighter /great speed /punch variation/relaxation and able to let his hands flow fluently.

    to many american fighters of late have become cautious saftey first and ward reminds me of the american type style i grew up with and enjoyed watching.
     
    sean, Mar 13, 2008
    sean, Mar 13, 2008
    #5
  6. marting

    marting Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He's got the goods and is tougher than some of the US pundits give him credit for. I saw him fight in Tampa and blow a guy out in the first round. In his next fight he got dropped pretty viciously by a relative novice Darnell Boone. Then the glass jawists came out of the woodwork.

    I think he's going to be a lot of fun to watch. He's flashy but take chances.
     
    marting, Mar 13, 2008
    marting, Mar 13, 2008
    #6
  7. 168 lbs

    168 lbs Guest

    Ward is the truth. He will stop this guy. Good step up fight too.
     
    168 lbs, Mar 13, 2008
    168 lbs, Mar 13, 2008
    #7
  8. Lampley

    Lampley Boxing Junkie banned

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    I think Ward tried too hard to be exciting or something like Roy Jones, and now he appears more secure as a fighter. He's been attacking and throws hard, sharp combinations, and his defense also has become more sound.

    Two years from now, I think he'll be a handful for anyone in the division.

    Here's something else to consider: Given that so many of the guys hanging at 168 are punchers (Miranda, Lacy, Taylor, eventually Pavlk, et al), a guy who succeeds on speed will have a stylistic advantage. Down the road, if he keeps winning, I think Ward could pose a real challenge to Mikkel Kessler as well.

    That's all hanging out there in the future, but for this year I'd like to see him win at least two notable fights and look impressive on an HBO card later on.
     
    Lampley, Mar 13, 2008
    Lampley, Mar 13, 2008
    #8
  9. Faetter_BR

    Faetter_BR Well-Known Member Full Member

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    His knockdown against Darnell Boone - what's the story on that? Boone isn't exactly a hardhitter...
     
    Faetter_BR, Mar 13, 2008
    Faetter_BR, Mar 13, 2008
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  10. Motor City Sam

    Motor City Sam Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I like Rubin, who I met when I used to work out at Cannon Rec Center in Detroit, but he has been in decline. His skills aren't what they used to be, which is a shame. I expect Ward to take this.
     
    Motor City Sam, Mar 13, 2008
    Motor City Sam, Mar 13, 2008
    #10
  11. marting

    marting Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yeah he was a little sloppy in his early fights trying to fight in Jones's style. He is extremely athletic though and just needed to learn how to avoid the cheap shots.

    I just hope he fares better than another prospect that I thought was the real deal, Anthony Thompson. Although I still think Thompson might emerge some day. He lost a tough split decision to Yuri Foreman even though he busted up Foreman's face pretty good.
     
    marting, Mar 13, 2008
    marting, Mar 13, 2008
    #11
  12. K0NPHL1C7

    K0NPHL1C7 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I agree 1005, we can all expect great things from Ward real soon. i see a title in his hands by Mid '09.
     
    K0NPHL1C7, Mar 13, 2008
    K0NPHL1C7, Mar 13, 2008
    #12
  13. 1lehudson

    1lehudson Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I told your guys a year ago that the American Supermiddleweights were coming. I talked about Pavlik when no one eles was, I mentioned Ward, Dirrell, McGirt Jr and Curtis Stevens who lost to Dirrell since then. By this time next year atleast one of these guys will be holding a title belt, along with Pavlik. all are 25 or younger.
     
    1lehudson, Mar 13, 2008
    1lehudson, Mar 13, 2008
    #13
  14. sean

    sean pale peice of pig`s ear Full Member

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    i to hope thompson gets some breaks.

    the most fluent , pleasing on the eye fighter in the game today.
    in europe he would have been groomed for stardom and money thrown at him.
     
    sean, Mar 13, 2008
    sean, Mar 13, 2008
    #14
  15. the_what

    the_what Bolo Punch KO Full Member

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    Dirrell and Stevens are ass. Ward is the truth. :happy
     
    the_what, Mar 13, 2008
    the_what, Mar 13, 2008
    #15
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