I think we can agree Abraham and Ward look strongest @168 ATM! Who wins between them?

Probably depends on where the fight is located. If it's in Oakland, Ward wins a UD. If it's in Germany, I can see Abraham winning a late knockout or close decision. I still rate Bute higher than either of them ATM though, and if Froch beats Kessler, I'll be forced to move him to #1 in the division.

 

After Ward fights 3x at home, he won't get the semifinal or final also in Oakland. Otherwise it would be travesty.

At this point, I could not say, as Kessler connected nothing of note on Ward, if at all (did he ?). Looks like 50:50 to me, it will probably depend on who got better reflexes who will connect more shots than the other guy. If Abraham can't get his offense landing by the middle of the fight, Ward may have stolen so many rounds that he can get away with running the last 4 rounds, without even pretending he tries to connect on Abraham.

 

I've already picked Ward to win this tournament and that means I think he would beat Abraham. With Ward's style of constant movement, defense, and speed versus Abraham's lack of activity and usually wide punches, I feel Ward would win a decision. Abraham seems to punch hard, but he would have to catch Ward and hurt him. Ward won't wear down in the late rounds like Taylor and he utilizes better defense and overall skills. Abraham's flat footed and he only fights in spurts. If he can't catch Ward he'll lose convincingly.

 

I agree. :good

 

Abraham isn't flat footed, watch his fight with Ikeke, or Velazco if you can get that. He stands there for sheer laziness, but when he explodes, he closes the gap very quickly. See Taylor, Miranda II, etc.

Still, I can see Ward doing that much moving that Abraham has problems catching him. On neutral ground, he would then however have problems to steal the round at the same time, that is why I say it depends on each guys reflexes. Can Ward lunge in and land a punch before tieing him up, or does Abraham get him on the way in.

 

:good

 

AS said above. Where would the fight be?
If its in the US is Ward going to be allowed to headbutt and elbow the whole time??

If so then he will never lose.

If its in Germany or anywhere else then i give the edge to Abraham. All it takes is just one clean punch for him to end it and i find it hard to believe that Abraham wouldnt be able to land it.

By the way When is the last time Abraham went to a decision?? Usually the KO percentage drops as u pick up a title.