Top 25 ? Have a day off not even close heres 25 fighters way above Ward off the top of my head. SRR Pernell Whitaker Manny Pacquiao Willie Pep Henry Armstrong Roberto Duran Floyd Mayweather Jr Ezzard Charles Sugar Ray Leonard Harry Greb Joe Gans Joe Louis Muhammad Ali Benny Leonard RJJ Marvin Hagler Archie Moore Sandy Saddler Gene Tunney Packey McFarland Julio Cesar Chavez Bob Fitzsimmons Sam Langford Mickey Walker Barney Ross
SOB not even in top 100 In the tournament which made his name, he never traveled while everyone else did, that right there should have told everyone he was being even every advantage to turn him into a star but unfortunately for him his style was garbage & not fan friendly He specialized in headbutting (like against Kessler), elbows, nut shots, & clinching (which believe it or not is against the rules of Boxing) People make fun of Haney's running hug to Linares in round 12 but forget Ward's attempt at a bear hug to Kovalev at the start of round 3 in their first fight
Has Ward ever fought more then 10 miles away from his home ? For a 'World Champion" thats kinda lame. Ali is a World Champion he fought everywhere
Ward was a good fighter who is overrated imo. He’s in the top 100 and that’s in the last 25 closer to 100. IMO he was a dirty fighter who never lived up to his full potential. That fight with Kessler was a huge turn off and whenever I think of his career I think of that fight. He fouled like crazy and the ref is a whole other story in that one.
I'm not much of a list maker, but I could see Ward slipping into the latter end of the top 100. Maybe.
If you rate him as a SMW, it would be absurd for him to not be right near the top. One of the greatest SMWs ever.