Is Andre Ward an ATG?

Yes even though he is overrated

 

In terms of ability yes in terms of who he beat maybe because he beat Kov at te higher weight, but there was controversy about both of those wins, Kov was a lot better than any of Ward`s other opponents though.

 

Ward's an interesting case study for that sometimes fine line between 'very, very good' and 'great'. Of course, there are different levels of great. In my opinion, someone such as Juan Manuel Marquez definitely deserves to be called a great fighter in the true sense of the word - but he's not as great as an Arguello or Michael Spinks. Similarly, Arguello and Spinks aren't quite as great as a Benny Leonard or a Henry Armstrong.

But I think he's going to be one of these guys who splits opinin and is right on that borderline for most fans in years to come. In my opinion...He started to be great between 2009 and 2012, but never quite followed up enough to it. I think he just has too few fights at the highest level. Post-2012, Kovalev is the only name on his record worth getting excited about - and while he has two wins over Sergey, both of them came with a bit of controversy and a slight question mark.

He certainly had that 'great' element in terms of talent and the clear edge of dominance he had over his contemporaries, particularly at 168. But I think he might be too light on big wins and memorable performances for a lot of people's taste.

 

Kovalev is a very hard guy to outbox , especially for a career super middle. He would have wrecked both Wards and Calzaghe's resume imo.

If you ask me , Mayweather never fought a guy as dangerous as Kovalev.

 

Froch is an ATG and is Wards best win.

 

I vote yes, although it's a shame he missed chunks of his prime to injuries and promotional squabbles. He missed out on a number of interesting fights at the zenith of his ability. I had always hoped for bouts with Jean Pascal and thought bouts at 200 lbs. with Tarver and Zsolt Erdei would have been fun options, although pretty far-fetched.

The point is, he could have squeezed in another 5 or 6 wins if not for injuries and lawsuits.

 

I am a borderline ward fan (not really a fan of any modern fighter outside of philly ones, and even then not to a major degree), and big time appreciatior of his skill set. I don’t really rate till a guy is retired for 5 years to better understand them or their eras.

Ward is likely borderline for me, and likely falls short. I would have liked a few more big fights to seal it. At his best he is a handful at SMW or LHW for most greats to deal with. But in actual accomplishment he would fall just short for me. But I guess it could depend on your criteria and your definition of ATG and they are subjective to the individual. He was great during his era so at the very least he is a great boxer and borderline ATG.

 

Close but no.

 

As much as I admire Froch for his dogedness and ambition, I honestly don't think he's anywhere near the all-time great category. A multi-titlist, but never the top man or generally-acclaimed number one in his division. When he had the opportunity to attain that status, he was basically humbled by Ward, a clear second best in every department on the night.

Froch has plenty of good, respectable wins: Pascal, Taylor, Dirrell, Abraham, Johnson, Bute, Kessler and Groves x 2. It's an excellent resume..But he was beaten by Kessler (who himself fell short against the two best fighters he ever faced in Calzaghe and Ward) first time out, and rode his luck a little against (or to put it more kindly, had hella trouble with) Taylor, Dirrell and Groves (I), while Johnson was 42 and never won another fight of significance.

I actually give Froch massive credit, because he didn't fight his first world title bout until he was thirty-one, wasn't blessed with all that much speed or elusiveness and was stuck in a dire promotional position until 2011. When he won his first title, I'd never have thought he'd go on to have the career he did, so actually think he overachieved, if anything. But he's not a legitimate great across all weights, eras and nations.

 

Absolutely. Don't forget the gold medal either.

 

Yes although he tried his hardest not to be

 

not yet but i think he will be.

As for Froch, he was bona fide elite, not ATG.

To be fair, SMW is so young that there shouldnt be more than 2 or 3 ATGs in it, max. Look at HW, in the 1910s there was just JOhnson and Sully. So just Ward and Jones is about right, with Benn, Cowarzaghe and Froch jostling between HoF,world and elite, amongst others not so venerable like Sven Turnip.

The trouble with SMW is that when you feel their is a case to put a blats cheat like Sven Ottke in the top five then you know the division is embryonic.

 

I think this thread was already done. I have no issue with someone who thinks Ward was a great fighter. I think he was a very good to great fighter in his time. He was a winner to be sure, and will rightfully make the IBHOF. But, No way would I vote that he is an All Time Great. He would not make my list of the top 100 greatest fighters of all time. Not by a longshot.

 

**** no. ****kkkkkkkkkkkckkkckkkkkk noooooo!