Andre Ward's place in the super middleweight division?

Well, he's not European, so he clearly has no chance at all in the SMW division.

Atleast that what I understand on this forum.

 

No sense in him being rushed, really. Ward is the real deal, for sure, but, dammit, he is still inexperienced and has a lot to learn. He needs to fight Top 50, 40, 30 and 20 fighters before gunning for the big boys. Right now, he's just a very good prospect.

 

How long is he going to milk this prospect ****? The man won a gold medal and has been a pro for 4 years now. It's time to take off the diapers and see what this kid is made of.

 

Everyone knows that, historically, SMW has been a safe haven for European fighters. Particuarly, U.K fighters.

 

He's just turned 24, with 15 fights. Where were Joe Calzaghe, Mikkel Kessler and Lucian Bute at that stage?

Main thing is to keep getting better, not to break records for the youngest Champ at 168. Is he good enough to fight contenders and win, right now? No, he's not. But that's because he's still green. Give him time. Boy's doing very well so far. 168 is a deep division; you cannot make waves in it as early as in some other divisions out there.

 

Safe haven?? Its that how you describe domination of the divison for over 15 years.

SMW Champions include Eubanks-Benn-Collins-Calzaghe-Reid-Woodhall-Ottke-Beyer-Kessler etc. And now we ave Carl Froch and Inakin up and coming! Europeans have always been the best at this weight class.

 

Well, Gamboa is 26 yrs old. They are pushing him hard too.

But Ward should be fighting better fighters right now. I thought he was a MW? When did he move up to SMW?

 

Fine, I'll rephrase it. Europeans seem to be the only fighters who aspire to be career SMW's. Most other fighters see SMW as a stepping stone to LHW.

 

Not at 168, he ain't. Gamboa is 26 and some already. He'll be almost 27 by the time he gets that title shot, if he's lucky. Valero is 26, Gulyakevich is 26, Mitchell is 23, Martinez is 25, Dib is 22, Salgado is 23 - and all these boys are better ranked than Gamboa. So, what's your point?

 

First off he has been a pro for three years and four month, and he has had 15 fights which is five fights a year and he is doning fine.

Anyways Ward is ready for some top 10 guys. I told all you guys a year and a half ago. Watchout the return of the American 168# is HERE.

By this time next year Ward will either have a belt or will be about to fight for a belt.

 

I am content with the level of his opposition so far, particulalrly since he's steppin up gradually now. His performance says he's not ready for much stronger opposition yet, though.