Doesn't look like Ward will be fighting anytime soon. TMZ sport has legal docs filed in L.A. County Superior Court of Ward wanting out of his current contract. I don't expect to see him in 2014 at all. Guy is an idiot. World class skill but no brain outside of the ring.
Ward wants big PPV fight. Problem is he can't draw flies to sh*t and at 168 there isn't a whole lot of big money fights unless he is willing to travel. He is blaming this on Goosen. He is delusional thinking he is going to headline a PPV unless he travels.
Terrible idea. All this is going to do is cost him valuable momentum as the hype (and therefor ratings) go to other, more active fighters around his weight. Goosen carved out a good niche for Andre and did well to negotiate so many fights in his backyard so Ward could make very solid, if unspectacular, 7 figure routine paydays. Staying on the sideline isn't going to help him at the bargaining table- if HBO or Showtime don't see the ratings to justify the big money Andre's looking for, it's not going to happen for him. Simple as that. Andre was bringing in similar ratings to guys fighting for half to one-third the price. He may be in for a rude awakening when he sees there's just not the market to pay him superstar high 7 figure, 8 figure paydays.
I don't get it...Ward is a smart guy, but he's wasting his time and energy here. He's perfectly positioned to fight guy like GGG, Kovalev, Stevenson & Chavez Jr. These are fights for money & legacy and they're all within his reach. He's not a huge draw, he needs to understand that...and each victory will earn him bigger paydays. I think Goosen has done more to give him advantages in a lot of fights than most promoters can.
Maybe Ward thinks his connection with HBO are so good that he can do without a promoter. Maybe he is right. Ward does seem intelligent, in and outside. I am a hater.
If it was Guessen that got Ward all those hometown fights and protected him during the super 6, then the man is biting the hand that feeds him.
Would you want to make yourself available to fight Adonis, Kovalev or GGG.....didn't think so. This will buy him time until everyone beats each other up. LOL. Why else would he waste time...and money...
I think he wants some way to buy out of his contract, but I don't believe a buy out clause was written into his contract:-(. The goal is obviously to jump ship and join Top Rank so he can secure a big money fight(the only big money fight available) with Jr.
Goosen did everything for Ward..............Ward gets to always fight in his home town with his personal referee, judges, boxing commission, etc., In Ward's tournament he was the ONLY boxer who never had to travel. Stevenson called out Ward on national TV, said he would even go down to 168, but Ward ran had hid...................Goosen has spoiled Ward, no wonder he is called SOB Ward..................... Ward has already lost to Goosen once before, the Calif, Boxing Commission sided with Goosen..............Ward should count his blessings. If he goes with another promoter, he might have to fight outside his home town and perhaps even fight someone like Kovalev and Stevenson, both would knock him out, so let Ward go ahead and sue Goosen.............as the saying goes; "Be careful what you wish for."
I honestly cannot understand how so many people side with the promoter, when noone knows the real story. Especially given the relatively young age, and long term he was signed to.. and given the enormous history of crooked promoters in this sport.
it is not the only money fight if he moves up in weight theres some money fights. ward/adonis ward/kovalev ward vs bute/pascall winner if he fought and beat them guys everyone would be sold on him and would want to watch him fight even if he is kinda boring. everyone would be a fan
Boring but effective boxing style and boring outside of the ring..... How can he expect PPV and superfights to be handed to him? Two sides to a story but surely he has a say in who he fights.