"Golovkin's 'grappling ability' is superior to Ward's" - Abel Sanchez

Didnt seem like Ward was calling any bluffs in that vid, seems like he said he thought the fight would eventually happen but not yet.

The poster from earlier who put up the TV ratings of GGG fights shows us why. Ward looking at exit strat - smart thing to do is take infrequent stay-busy fights until GGG popularity peaks. Wards biggest problem, is he does not have a real "nemesis" or even rival in his own weight division.

He needs to fight some people with star power to get the bigger purses. Only JCCjr comes to mind so far but his antics seemed to have damaged him with his fans and the boxing public. So im sure Ward is hoping GGG gets built into a star... and hes not gonna badmouth him or try for a fight anytime soon. Its just business sense.

Ward fight GGG now, he makes maybe 1.5m. If GGG gets hyped by HBO for another year, his TV ratings keep skyrocketing and even makes a successful PPV debut vs a Martinez or something.. then Ward potentially makes 10m fighting him in a PPV bout. If its a good fight, do a rematch.

If Ward is really really lucky, GGG will become a star and give Ward his retirement nest egg.

Also, for any doubters - keep in mind it has nothing to do with skill really. The reality is in the TV ratings and ticket sales and GGG already ahead of Ward in those departments. Kovalev probably be the tougher challenge for Ward, but theres almost no chance the earning potential is as high.

 

depends on where the fights are, as you are premising EVERYTHING on the American market. If Ward fought GGG in Russia tomorrow he make millions.

 

Right about the "big" - Ward is too big, this fight is a stupid idea.

Wrong about the "skillful" though - Ward overrated.

 

I wouldnt say that. You just seem to be bias against GGG the same way some people are bias against Ward.

Personally I want to see the fight, I just dont think it will happen till 2015 because they both make a lot more money that way.

 

"There were things tonight that Edwin could not do to Ward where Ward I thought maybe would be vulnerable to a young, strong, fresh guy like Golovkin, who knows how to give angles, who knows how to cut off a ring, and has a great short game...I think that's the guy who has the best shot," stated promoter Lou DiBella, who shared his thoughts on Andre Ward's victory over his fighter, Edwin Rodriguez.

 

I think you should double check Golovkins weight distribution - his balance , including his footwork and ability to shift weight is top notch. So is his jab, which is arguably his best skill. Ward can jab very well himself, which is part of the reason I think it makes for a good matchup. GGG hasnt yet met with someone who can jab or move as well as he can, and I want to see what happens when he does.

I think your wrong about the inside game though. GGG can torque power at point blank. Inside is the last place Ward wants to take Golovkin, his center of gravity is too low and he can throw much harder than Ward at that distance with either hand. Trying to hold the arm of someone with excellent balance, low center of gravity who is at least as strong as you is a recipe for getting pushed or pulled off balance yourself which is a bad idea when the opponent throws much harder at that range.

I still think Ward can win, but we would see a game plan that differs quite a bit from his recent game plans. Ward would know better than to depend on inside game or tie up too much. I think he would actually stick to mid range more and block, slip, counter and jab a lot which should really make for an interesting fight. I see the fight moving from mid to long range a lot, jab and positioning wars and Ward outboxing him at mid range. Ward has enough ring IQ to stay out of the corner for the most part , but he might run into trouble where habit and GGG pressure take him back in the phonebooth where he does his tie up style and that would be bad for him.

 

MW is sadly lacking at the moment, nonetheless most would say GGGs the top player right now. I think that Ward beats him at the moment, but it's still probably the most competitive fight out their for either shy of 175 save perhaps Golovkin - Froch.

WRT Sanchez' comments, GGG seems to do pretty well head to head and brawling, but Ward has demonstrated a spectacular ability to win inside battles. Although GGGs shown he's able to wrestle and dominate against his opposition when necessary, Wards extra 14 or 15lbs in the ring and far more proven ability have to put the smart money on him.

Still though, it is a fight that I wanna see made, though I'd much rather see Froch - GGG first (which right now I see as close to 50 / 50). If (big If) Golovkin was able to beat Froch convincingly, it makes GGG - Ward a much more interesting fight.

You're still doing the 'puny legs' thing then I see...

 

Golovkin is dangerous and has solid skills. He's very measured and methodical in how he wears down his opponents to eventually grind them out.

For him to do that to Ward is unlikely but I do believe GGG has the tools, style and attributes to beat Ward. Not that he would if they met tomorrow....but he could pull off a knock out.

 

Stevenson has been calling Ward out, but Ward refuses to even answer him. Stevenson called Ward out on national TV, but Ward refuses to answer him. Stevenson said that if Ward refused to fight him at 175, then he would fight Ward at 168................Ward wants to fight 147 & 160 lb. fighters, but he won't even fight Stevenson at 168, much less Ward's own natural weight of 175 or more.............Ward would not allow Bute to fight in his tournament. Ward refuses to fight anyone outside his own home turf, with his own personal referee, judges, boxing commission, commentators, etc. Hell, Ward could not even hurt an unknown fight like Rodriguez. Ward had to land a lot of low blows, hold, etc., but finally Ward did land his most famous punch, a head butt, which did cut Rodriguez...........

Golovkin has said that he would like to fight Ward in the fairly near future..........could be a money fight as Golovkin gets more well known, which he is doing...........