Ward is too much for GGG

Its reasonable to think that, but I think you are incorrect on the style matchup.

Recently I went back and watched Wards signature fights again in analysis mode, and I found a few things of interest.

First is that even though he won heavy on some cards, the fact is the majority of rounds Ward wins are actually really close rounds. He does not dominate very many rounds at all, a typical Ward round he wins 60-40 to 55-45 if you want to put a ballpark percentage on who did the scoring work. Several fights you can say he likely won just because of the way he disengaged from clinches and potshot, often with the opponent thinking it was a ref break. Bad on his opponents falling into that habit, and it shows a great presence of mind on Wards part - but it wont necessarily go the same way in the future.

The Bika fight in particular was actually a very close fight regardless of what the cards might have looked like.

The second is that Ward actually has problems when people jab well. For whatever reason the vast majority of Wards opponents have neglected the jab for much of the fight but the ones that do throw seem to find success. Golovkin's primary strength is not , IMO, his power like some think - its actually his footwork+jab. As long as Golovkins jab remains effective, Ward would have a much harder time winning rounds since he is not usually a volume guy.

The big question of course is inside fighting, which is where Ward shines. Golovkin is good at managing distance, keeping his elbows tucked to avoid clinch and can hit hard at close range with either hand. That doesnt mean Ward cant outwork him inside... but I do think it would still be quite dangerous for him. I think Golovkin could actually deal with Wards inside game fairly well.

Wards biggest strengths against GGG would be his ability to jump back very quickly and duck very low rushing in. And his ability to throw fast jabs and hooks while doing it and moving at angles. Ward is quicker than GGG and his timing is probably about on par which is a decent advantage. The counter is the jab, and Golovkins skill at body work and the fact that he would likely make Ward expend a lot more energy.

If they fought today I see Ward winning 3 out of 4 of the first rounds then the fight evening out as Golovkin adjusts to his speed and catches him with some shots when he overuses the same tactic too often. From there we know that Ward has the capability to adjust many times during a fight, which IMO is HIS biggest strength and is what really crosses over into elite level territory.

Ability to adjust on that level is something we have never seen, but also never had reason to see from Golovkin which is why you still have to favor Ward in the matchup.

But I dont think the style matchup particularly favors Ward. Particularly since GGG is very good with his jab and very quick to parry with his shoulder or tuck his chin and respond with a counter - Golovkin is first and foremost, since his AM days an offensive counter-puncher.

I dont think think of this as an easy fight for Ward, in fact if I could only watch one fight this year but could pick which fight to make - this would be it.

 

If I has to place a bet on Ward-Golovkin today, I'd bet on Ward. I don't think it would be an easy fight for Ward. GGG could give him issues in a few ways, and Golovkin could win it, but I know more about what Ward can do and have a couple of questions about GGG that haven't been answered with his level of competition. Perhaps I'll change my mind as GGG progresses into tougher fights, but until then I have to go on what's known: it's a competitive fight that Ward is most likely to win.

 

i hope the fight happens...its starting bubble pretty big and the deman for it is there.

 

What about Ward fighting someone...if staying active is a priority in a GGG Versus Ward fight Ward has no chance.!!!!

 

GGG would slowly and methodically measure Ward and K him TFO in the later rounds.

 

I hope this fight doesn't happen I would like to see some of the middle weight so called champs grow some balls and fight golovkin

 

GGG wins

 

ward would fall under the pressure of ggg...........ggg would stalk him across the ring............

 

GGG should not attempt to fight Ward. He would just get schooled and lose many of the far weather fans he has today and the loss may have a lasting effect on his confidence.

Instead of Ward, GGG should work his way up and face someone with lesser skills like Arthur Abraham which I believe would be a much more competitive match up. Abraham and GGG pretty much share the same level of boxing skills.