Who will take the "crossover star" baton from Mayweather and Pacquiao?

That would be tragic for the sport wouldn't it, to have a dull fighter that speaks in a monotone who somehow manages to make his matches even more unbearable than Floyd Mayweather become the heir apparent. Boxing will die a painful death.

I don't mind Ward as much as many on here, in fact I actually like him (don't tell anyone) but most of their criticisms are accurate, he's not very exciting and no matter how much he's marketed he'll never be a marquee name that puts asses in seats, just like Hopkins couldn't become a huge star and Bernard was even somewhat enjoyable to watch at times.

 

I honestly don't find Ward dull at all, although I gather what you're getting at. Chances are Ward's more likely to be headed in the direction of Hopkins financially than Floyd.

But if he can land the Golovkin fight, and then manage to beat Kovalev, it could happen where Ward winds up becoming something closer to the new Floyd and not the new Hopkins.

And I reckon that if Ward had fights against GGG and Kovalev, even if Ward slows down the pace as much as he could, there's no way they won't be fun to watch.

 

That definitely has an impact going forward. And I expect Pacquiao is one of those boxers who, sadly, will be apt to hang around way too long. So his marketability would eventually head south I'd imagine if he hangs around too long like I think he will.

I think Floyd's out after 2 more fights, but who knows? Maybe he'll do as you say, and continue to face and beat guys who are no better than one level below him. Floyd could probably milk 2 fights a year for the next 3 years if he wanted.

 

No you're right about that, they should be thrilling to watch just based on the tension many of us will be feeling due an expectation of a possible Kovalev KO (may happen) or Golovkin KO (probably not).

But I also thought that Ward/Froch and Ward/Kessler would be exciting too, but they didn't live up to my expectations in that department. But beyond those two and maybe a Beterbiev match later on and Pascal or Bute, many fighters have the potential to push Ward and make him more exciting or potentially KO him.

If he'd just take a tough fight already.....we're all waiting.:blood

 

I know it's unlikely, but I'd love to see Ward-Golovkin early next year, and (assuming Ward won), have him test the water at 175 and face Kovalev early 2017.

But I doubt things pan out that way, and Ward may well sink his own ship back into obscurity.

 

Probably, its wise not to get our hopes with this sport.

 

You need to seriously share whatever you're smoking.

:smoke

 

Except you weren't alone in calling that, if indeed you even did call that.

:smoke

 

Then you're not the only one who needs to be sharing the drugs.

:smoke