Source: http://thesweetscience.com/news/articles/13835-andre-ward-talks-about-injured-hand-butemarkarian (sorry if it's been posted already...) ************************** RM: So about your next opponent, Kessler and Bute are names being thrown out there. Virgil and I have talked about a possible Kessler rematch for you even before the Froch fight. Some people want to see you fight Lucian Bute. He was in Atlantic City to watch and seems thirsting to get you in the ring. Is there anyone in particular that you want to fight next? AW: No, I am not going to call anyone out, Ray. I meant what I said about the Bute situation. I think Bute is a great talent. Obviously he is a great draw in Quebec. I also feel, actually collectively everyone that has been in the Super Six can say that he has laid back. I think Bute needs to beat some significant fighters before he could demand a unification bout. But he is definitely someone I’d like to fight. I would love a rematch with Kessler. You know, they have shown interest. He is fighting in April against Robert Stieglitz for the WBO belt. There is another belt that could be on the line. So there are a lot of options, Ray. We are just going to sit down as a team and see what makes sense. That is the beauty of winning a tournament like this. We are able to make a solid decision. We are not forced to do anything. We have paid our dues up until this point to make a sound decision. All of the names that you mentioned are realistic options. Nobody can say we are ducking anybody. We just fought the best fighters in the division for the last two and a half years. So nobody can say we are ducking anybody. We just have to see what makes sense. RM: Is moving up in weight is an option? AW: Yep. RM: Well, you beat the best at 168, except Bute, who has not fought anyone in the Super Six besides Glen Johnson. And it is going to take at least a year for Bute to beat two or three guys that were in the Super Six. AW: Right. RM: So for you, it is either a Kessler rematch or move up in weight? AW: Moving up is on my radar. I don’t know if I would campaign at light heavyweight. I always wanted to become a multidivisional champion. I think I can fight at 175. That is definitely something that I want to do at some point. And that is the downside to winning a tournament like the Super Six. Because like you said, most of the top guys were in that tournament. Everything was put together and boom we’re done so it’s like, who do you fight now? So now, there are still some fights at 168 pounds and 175 is an option. ********************* Thoughts? When do you guys think Ward will make the jump to 175? Will he wait for "Bute to beat two or three guys that were in the S6"?
Well, Ward definitely does recognize that there are fighters at 168 he still has to face, and he didn't sound incredibly to eager to move up, so we'll see. He should clean out the division against Direll and Bute then move up or just reign.
I agree with him that Bute has fought nobody but i still want to see him fight Bute. If he won't fight Bute or Dirrell then he may as well move up cos there's not much left after that. Host of great fights at 175 for him.
"I think Bute needs to beat some significant fighters before he could demand a unification bout. But he is definitely someone I’d like to fight. I would love a rematch with Kessler." bute would ko this billy goat all the way back to oakland
Makes sense to me. Fight Kessler and pick up another strap. Let Bute beat Froch and get that name on his record, then it's Bute - Ward in a big unification fight. Bute is the guy everyone is saying will be Wards toughest fight. If Andre fights and beats him comfortably straight away, everyone will just say 'oh, Bute was just hype. who did he beat except and old Glenn Johnson?'. You know it works round here. Get another belt in the mix, let Lucian convince the non believers by beating a Froch or Kessler and then we have a super fight down the line.
So Kessler is the Easy fight Goosen was talking about :think Who want to see a rematch of that fight ?
Be interesting to see what happens with mandatory defences aswell. The sanctioning bodies held off on enforcing mandatories during the S6 tournament so they'll surely want their pound of flesh soon? Ward holds the WBA "Super" title, with Karoly Balzsay recently picking up the "Regular" title so mandatories from WBA will probably be diverted to Balzsay. WBC have Anthony Dirrell ranked no.1 challenger, could see that fight happening next for Ward.
I'd watch it. Would be interesing to see if Kessler is somewhat able to bounce back after what Ward did to him. Doubt it, though.
That scenario is reasonable to me, even if I would have liked bute to face Ward right away. IF Bute beats Ward convincingly and Ward still doesn't want to face him, well, that will be sad for boxing.
Im annoyed that ward isnt willing to fight hopkins and vice versa, that no i love you, we are never fighting each other stoff made me cringe. I would love to see a high level technical fight between bhop and ward eventhough it would be boring. It sucks that he exluded the possibility so clearly.