If Ward had of fought Bute before Froch beat him...

really? is that what you think? not like you haven't said that before or anything...

regardless of those points, he's still the greatest super middleweight on earth, something you've yet to give him credit for being.

 

I think m8te and bailey get a notification on their blackberry whenever one of them posts in this thread.

 

Bute vs. Ward should have happened straight after the S6...why would someone in Ward's position not want to unify the division straight away if he was so confident he could win? Now, Ward has supreme confidence, so I don't think he was scared, but it was a monumental **** up on his part to not take the fight. Firstly, because he was at the height of his popularity at the end of the S6 in beating a far more popular fighter in Froch. Secondly, even if he thought he was being clever hyping the fight (which had Bute beaten Froch, it woulda worked out), he is so boring and un-fan friendly to watch, that he would have missed out on the prime time to make the fight and maximise sales in his school gym in Oakland. Bute would have to have beasted Froch for a Ward/Bute fight to be any bigger than it was directly after the conclusion of the S6. If there was any doubt, or a close decision, then the 'Ward beat Froch better' brigade would have been out in force saying it meant Bute should fight Kessler next or something.

It's not even debatable that it was bad business for that fight not to happen. When the 2 best (which is what EVERYONE thought at the time) fighters in a division find a reason not to fight each other, then it's pathetic. Ward should move to 175 if he wants Dawson, and moving up to his weight division, where the other guy's the champ, he should go fight in Dawson's back yard. Dawson has nothing to prove, or really anything to lose by fighting Ward at 168 as he has his excuse already built in. Also, with the ABC arguments flying all over the place, why has everyone forgotten that Dawson lost to Pascal, who was soundly beaten by Froch? 2 undefeated fighters unifying a division is a more relevant and important fight than the top fighters from 2 different divisions getting in the ring. End of story. Especially when the smaller fighter makes the bigger fighter boil down, and doesn't go up to meet him.

1. Ward should have fought Bute after the S6
2. Ward should move up to fight Dawson
3. Ward should PROVE himself away from home.
4. Ward should unify his division (which may well mean a Froch or Kessler rematch down the line).

Andre Ward may well be (and probably is) the best 168lber on the planet, but that doesn't mean there are things he hasn't proven or achieved yet. Until he does, there will always be some question marks. And if he truly wants greatness and recognition and popularity, the power is actually in his hands to accomplish these things.

 

:happy:happy

 

joke city

 

troll city.

 

by the way, there's no question, unless you're a troll yourself, considering the hisory that we've had in this thread alone, that bailey is, a, troll. seriously. quidditch

 

yeah bailey, i'm drowning bro.

andre ward, s6, champ, best smw, on earth, from usa. you cant stand that. slight him, however you may. doesn't change the fact that, he's the, best smw, on this planet, that we inhabit. good night from across the alantic.

 

I don't think there is one person on this thread that disputes Ward's credentials as the best SMW at the moment.

What is being disputed is that Dawson is somehow a more legitimate fight for Ward than Bute would have been at the conclusion of the S6. Bute was an undefeated champ. Dawson isn't. Bute is in Ward's weight division. Dawson isn't. Since we're at it, Dawson got beaten by a Froch leftover (I hate that phrase actually, but what the heck). There is nothing subjective about these points, and the Bute fight would have sold more, as he has a bigger following than Dawson as well.

Unified divisions happen how often in boxing? Not enough. Ward has time on his side (he's what, 27/28?) to unify ALL the belts at SMW...it would only take 2 fights. Then he could move up and fight at LHW, and if he's as good as everyone thinks, probably unify that too.

The fact remains he elected not to pursue this. THAT is the travesty here, not that people are underrating Ward or slighting his ability.

 

Bailey, you fail to realize that not everyone bought into the Bute hype train like you did. Mainly eruopeans and canadians felt he was the second best super middle.

I wouldnt consider a victory over bute to be wards best victory now or then. Not when ward has domi ated kessler and froch. I dont think bute is bum mind you, but ive always felt he was fifth best behind ward kessler froch and dirrell. I tipped froch to beat bute by decision before the fight, and appearantly even I give bute to much credit.