Andre Ward's signature move: Ducking -- Is it Legal

There has been a great deal of discussion on this board about what Andre Ward introduced to the boxing world last night -- something that was unprecedented and some, notably the redoubtable "Jack", have suggested is an illegal tactic.

For those who missed it, here's what Andre was doing. When his opponent, Arthur Abraham, would swing a wide looping hook, Andre would bend his knees ever-so-slightly and allow the punch to whiz right over him. Almost like how Maverick from Top-Gun would slam on the breaks and let his pursuers "fly right by!".

Andre Ward did something extraordinary. The only word I can use to describe this unheard of maneuver is "duck". That's right, Andre Ward was ducking punches in order to avoid them!

I put this to the collective wisdom of ESB. Is this newfangled thing, this "ducking", this very tricky innovation from Ward -- is it legal? Does Abraham have a case for filing a protest? After all, Ward was doing something so bizarre, so unprecedented, that it deserves in my opinion a looking over. I must admit, it is almost strange that in 100 years of boxing no fighter before Andre Ward had ever discovered this unorthodox move -- the "duck".

I am personally in 100% total agreement with "Jack". Ducking seems to me a dirty tactic and the referee probably should have disqualified Ward somewhere in the 6th round, when he was repeatedly ducking under Abraham's wide hooks.

Astonishing.

 

Why is it when I read your posts I imagine the voice of George Michael?

You come across as some sort of frustrated drama queen or something. Get a hobby.

 

Mayweather is the master of ducking

 

So slipping punches is illegal in boxing??????:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl

 

don't be so hard on your countrymen, horse-head.

 

Your gay.:tong

 

Mayweather uses the same tactic.

 

That's the prevailing wisdom among the likes of horse-head and Jack.

 

Well they are right. If Ward were a real man, he would let AA tee off on him for several rounds, to prove his warrior heart. :deal

 

Look ayt these cheats
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK9en6g9JTQ[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G5v_PNsl4Q[/ame]

 

It seems there are precursors to Ward's use of this strange tactic! I was not ware of that, thank you!

 

Blocking, moving your head, moving your feet and BENDING YOUR KNEES are the things that make up defensive boxing, trainers have been teaching this stuff for a long time it not new.
i understand that people dislike technical fighters because they find him boring but please come up with a better excuse to hate on him then "ward is a cheater because his defense is to good".

 

This ducking has to stop. Next thing you know, fighters will be blocking punches. We can't have that either. Dirty tactics all around.

 

On a serious note: Ducking below your opponents waste is illegal. Not sure Ward did that.

 

You are not meant to duck below the waist line of your opponent. But if the ref isn't gonna penalize you for it then I don't see why you shouldn't do it.