His last two fights were mired in controversy--whether or not you agree with the outcomes. Many argued he lost the first fight to Kovalev. Many felt the 2nd fight ended on a really sour note. I personally won't miss him. He never excited me. I thought he was painfully boring to watch. I did enjoy his last fight though, and how he broke Kovalev. So, he beat the boogeyman, and went out on his own terms. I think he'll be a good commentator for a long time. How do you think he'll be remembered as a fighter? Is his legacy intact?
I'm not what you'd call a Ward fanboy, so here's my take: He's cemented as one of the top 168 fighters all-time, and nothing in the Kovalev fights would've (or could've) changed that. So, I think his legacy's secure. There wasn't enough done at 175 to establish a legacy there, so I don't think the controversies or him retiring after a few fights there moves the needle either way from a historical perspective- the good wins there are simply a bonus. There's similarities to the Calzaghe situation in that regard.
What he done at LHW was greater than what Calzaghe done and his 168 record is equal , if not better to Calzaghe's. Joe has long string of defenses but i prefer quality over quantity.
He was asked to move up and fight the boogeyman at 175 and he did twice. Just because Kovalev could not adjust to win the fight does not take away from Ward at 175. People were trying to say he was a coward and he completely destroyed Kovalev's image and confidence in his own abilities. Andre Ward is an exceptional boxer and a true gentleman and ALL TIME GREAT. He always defied the odds in the face of his detractors. The real reason so many people dislike him is because he beat the hell out of their heroes. He beat people from pillar to post and was nice about it the entire time.
He lost a close fight against the #1 LHW out there, which the judges awarded him, and then won in a controversial way at the rematch. So he was at least close to or on the level of the consensus #1 LHW after moving up, which is very impressive. His spoiler style, court dates, irritating caracter and dealings with mister Balco might have rubbed people the wrong way, but he clearly was a top class boxer.
Maybe, I was really rooting for Carl Froch when they fought, but I had to hand it to Ward, he won almost every round, I knew then he was a great boxer. I wont miss Ward though, but I'll give him his dues, anyone who has a close fight against Kovalev has gotta be very good. Really difficult fight to score though (the first one), if I was the judge, I'd probably take the easy route out and score it for Kovalev after the knock down, but very close, I'll always favour the guy who gets the better shots in though and I think Kovalev edged that one. So we'll call it 1-1.
For me, wards talent and skill had been vastly over rated but his toughness and will to win are 2nd to non. Beast of a fighter, and this coming from a supposed "hater" of ward
Kovalev beat him the first time and was beating him the second time before he was stopped. For what it's worth while I think that he was low blowed by Ward, he seemed to be gassing. It's questionable whether he would have mounted a comeback, but Kov should have been given a chance to either do so and Ward a chance to win by legit KO. The referee ruined that one. Anyway, Ward was better at 168 than 175.
Let's look beyond both matches against Kovalev, let's see the entire picture and create an opinion not based in his last two polemical fights. This content is protected This content is protected
Sure fire HOF. GREAT fighter. Had nothing else to do in the sport.. Besides go to Cruserweight or Heavyweight and that would be pointless. Good for him. Borderline ATG in my eyes
