Something to consider about Andre Ward

Kovalev/Pascal was actually just on regular HBO

 

Damn, I thought that I had seen it all lol...

 

I know but it still had viewing figures, did it not?

 

If you doubt Ward at all, or throw any shade his way, I'll just presume you know nothing about boxing.

 

Eh?

Froch is taller than Kovalev by an inch and looks to be carrying substantially more muscle despite being a weight division below.

That doesn't seem like Ward picking on a little guy to me!

 

You've made some great points there.

I think that GG needs Ward more, because Ward's younger, and like you've mentioned, there's potentially a mega fight down the line for him with Kovalev at LHW. Also, Ward's already beaten the likes of Kessler and Froch.

GG is older, he hasn't fought any top fighters yet, and he isn't realistically going to move up beyond SMW. So he's in a predicament. If Ward can't/won't make SMW by the time GG gets there, then where's GG's defining fight?

Ward has better options.

 

:good

 

Ward has 2 very good names on his record, Froch and Kessler, Abraham has been a bust at 168, Bika and the rest are decent ex champions.

Ward was excellent in the super 6 but his resume is getting severely very exaggerated.

 

Yes, in an ideal world, Ward would hang back a while, and look to fight the winner of Bute-DeGale then GGG. A few months ago, he said that once he officially leaves SMW, he won't ever go back. So I was desperate for him to have a few tune ups to sharpen up and get back down to the weight. Also, realistically, Kovalev will still be at LHW in the next 18 months (and will probably be a huge star) and Beterbiev could also emerge as a big star. I appreciate the politics involved and the difficulties in making big fights, but unless Ward can't possibly make SMW anymore, I think he's making a mistake. Even though I don't think he needs GGG as much as GGG needs him, he could make more money and add to his legacy. I don't like the idea of him having two tune ups and then fighting Kovalev. Because if he loses big, his options will be limited. But we don't know how long he wants to fight for etc.

 

I just can't see Kovalev doing very well against Ward.

If guys like Caparello can knock him down in the last 18 months, 50 year old Hopkins can go the distance and Pascal can win a few rounds pretty convincingly, hurting him a number of times in the process ...

Then I think if Kovalev wins more than 3 rounds and stays on his feet for the 12 he's done well against the boxer of our generation.

And I say that as some one who falls to sleep watching Ward.

 

Andy,

I forgot to mention this:

Earlier on this year and before he announced his retirement, Carl Froch was on Sky talking about Ward and a potential rematch. He said that he didn't think Ward would ever fight at SMW again, as he was walking around at 200 pounds.

Did you hear that? At the time, I assumed Carl was exaggerating. But maybe he wasn't. Maybe Ward would like to remain at SMW a little longer, but it's just not possible for him?

 

He possibly could have been, I think that would involve some rounding up.

On sportsnation Ward claimed to be 180 so back at his most inactive I can imagine 190+.

I definitely think he is starting to struggle with the weight.

 

I'm going to see if I can find out some more information on it.

I've just read this:

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2015/10/andre-ward-signs-three-fight-contract-with-hbo/

 

GGG is content with dominating MW and I don't really blame him. It is a classic weight that is a little weak at the moment but a huge money fight is brewing.

Ward is a bigger fighter that belongs at LHW right now where there is competition to secure him as an ATG if he can beat them.

 

:good