Don't overrate Andre Ward; he has weaknesses that can be exploited!

THose are good points and you know what we just saw one of Americas most promising prospects get beat in Dawson. I mean im not a fan of either of those but i didnt think Dawson would lose to anyone in the current LHW scene yet Pascal hustled him.
So now i gotta wonder. Can Ward be hustled too? I didnt think so before but if Pascal can beat Dawson then anything can happen. This is boxing!!!

I actually think Bika will be a very tough test for Ward because of his wild style along with dirty tactics. We know Ward can dish them out but can he take them?
And yes i think stylewise Froch is a much more tougher fight than Abraham.

 

I'll include Bute to here he can put pressure when he wants to, he can take control of the center of the ring and walk you down into the ropes or corner if you lack the power.
These is a question i'd like to know the answer to. He seemed to be doing fine against Kessler.

 

True :good

 

That's just your opinion and i think based on what we have seen so far from him, it's most likely that he is willing to dig deep in tough situations. He has done nothing to indicate otherwise. His mental make up is one of preparation, dedication and a willingess to be great. Guys who strive for greatness usually dig down deep in tough situations.

 

It makes me laugh the thought of the possibility of Andre starting to headbutt Bika. Sakio is a crazy mofo and if that happens he will give the headbutt back without hesitation even if that means he will lose a point.

 

You make it sound like he's going to be in some Gatti/Ward type fight where he's exchanging haymakers in every punch. A level fighters rarely do that.

Just seems like you already made up your mind about the guy in that you think he lacks something mentally. Agree to disagree. Everything i've seen of him, he's the type who will dig deep in tough situations. Proud champions tend to do that.

 

Do you subscribe to the theory that the better fighters come from poor/disadvanteged backgrounds? Guys who maybe aren't necessarily smart or well-adjusted and have to fight, rather than want to fight?

Guys like Barrera and de la Hoya didn't need boxing, or in Oscars case, didn't have to fight for as long as he did against top-level competition. Both those guys are smart but they were also warriors who were only too happy to leave it all in the ring.

I don't know if Ward has that kind of mentality and to be honest, you never know until a fighter is put in that position. He does strike me as having mental strength though, in that he'll always find a way to win.

Time will tell with him but I like what I see so far. Some guys like Dawson, Williams and Berto and Bradley I've never been sold on but Ward seems different to me.

 

As has been said, we'll never really know until he's put in a position where he needs to make a 'sacrifice' to win. But we do have some clues as to his mental toughness:

1. The kid doesn't coast. He could have run in the final rounds against Kessler, Miranda or Green, but he chose to continue to put it on them. That shows that he isn't the type to look for the easy way out.

2. He's religiously inspired. Usually these type are psychotic (ala Holyfield) and willing to put their lives on the line because of their metaphysical foundation, which runs beyond life and death.

It's all speculation though.... :good

 

By the way, there's a chance he can achieve greatness without having to make the sacrifice. I mean Roy Jones was beyond great, but he wasn't willing to make any sacrifices to win (e.g. Tarver III fight where he had Antonio gassed late but chose to fight safe).

I don't think Ward has Roy level talent, and so in all likelihood if he's to have a chance at greatness he'll have too overcome some obstacles, but I'm just saying... It's possible for example that he cleans the super sixes out without even seriously being challenged and then if he can defend for a few years, just on resume and talent alone he'll be in the ballpark of greatness imo.