Why Ward Is Being Overlooked.

:rofl spit my beer! :-(

 

going from Mirand to Kessler will be an huge step up for Ward he got the tools to succeed but i think Kessler is a bad match-up for Ward specially for he's first fight of the tournements! will see! really intersting match-up!

 

Count me among the biased as well since Andre is one of my favorite fighters, and business partner, but I think he's going to surprise a lot of people in this tourney. He's just such a gifted fighter. He's never been tested like he will be against Kessler, but then again, you could argue Kessler hasn't been tested since Calzaghe. His competition in the last two years is, dare I say, Arthur Abraham like. Here's hoping both guys come through unscathed this weekend so we aren't subjected to any more delays.

 

A fairly good number of people are picking Ward to give Kessler problems, and pull off the upset, or at least make it a close, tough fight.

Ward is talented, but being someone who roots for him, the thing I worry most is the jump in opposition. Not everyone can be like a Mayweather and just jump up the level in opposition and beat the #1 guy in the division after having not faced anyone in the top ten (was Miranda ranked top 10?).

 

He's not being overlooked by me, he's a real threat.

 

I'm not sure of the importance of that. Andre Ward and Pavlik are doing different things in the ring. Pavlik is walking you down and 1-2ing the **** out of his opponent until he's knocked out or quits. Miranda was quite happy to oblige with that.

Ward comes to the ring first and foremost to outbox, outspeed and dominate that way. If a stoppage comes he'll think about that later. It was pretty evident he wanted to hit and not get hit against Miranda and he did a damn good job. He got hit a lot less than Pavlik or Abraham ever did and that was impressive in its own way.

 

Ward has the least experience in the late rounds of the other 6, Ward is the least likely one to get a KO win of the other 6, and Ward has no physical advantages what so ever over the other 6.

 

Ya, I agree to a point. Completely different styles, and that makes a big difference.

 

Ward is probably the most versatile, skilled fighter in the Super 6 but he is also one of the least tested against top opposition. Drawing Kessler in the first round is probably the worst thing that could've happened to him, IMO. I like his chances against Abraham and Froch, but think Kessler, Taylor, and even Dirrell, in that order, pose the biggest threat to him.

Ward is crafty enough to outpoint both AA and Froch without getting caught by something big. He doesn't seem to tire late which bodes well for him against those two whose best chances would be stopping him late.

But I think his biggest challenge will be guys who possess good technical skill, speed, and power like Kessler and Taylor. Ward might be more skilled than those two, but not by much, and they are more experienced and (based on what I've seen of Ward so far) tougher than Ward is. Yes, even Taylor. I'm just not confident in Ward's ability to keep his **** together when he's getting hit with decent shots, which Kessler, Taylor, and even Dirrell will be able to land at times.

I hope he proves me wrong and shows more of a killer instinct and more power than he has in the past; if so he would be tough to beat for anyone.

 

I'll be surprised if Ward gets a KO in this tournament. That fight did in a way expose his lack of power because he never really bothered Miranda, and Pavlik, Abraham and even a little known fighter on the British scene called Joey Vegas got his attention.

Still, if he outboxes everybody which is his primary gameplan he'll win!

 

While frustrating to watch, his plan against Miranda was smart and effective; Miranda didn't land more than one or two clean right hands the entire fight, if that. Even the ones that looked clean, Ward rolled with, negating most of the impact.

So yeah, that was impressive.

Will his elusiveness be as effective against better boxers with world class jabs (Kessler, Taylor) or lightening fast hands (Dirrell)? That is yet to be seen, and I have my doubts.

 

I'm not overlooking Ward at all. He is America's last Olympic winner and it is obvious to see that he has all the tools of a great master-fighter.

This tourney however is at such an elite level that noone can feel safe. Of course Ward has the home advantage and we saw in the Miranda fight how wildly his fans back him up - Miranda seemed to bend in the knees when the public starting sheering for Ward. This is going to be a huge help for Ward as Kessler has experienced trouble the times he has fought abraod (he lost rounds to Mundine and lost to Calzaghe). So, those memories may come back to haunt Kessler when he hears the cheers from the crowd. Remember that Hopkins lost to an unknown latino one time he went abroad - going abroad makes a significant difference.

I think Kessler is one of the best fighters out there across all divisions, however, I also think Ward is a special fighter and with Kessler's lay-off and going abroad etc. I could imagine a Ward win. Even if Ward loses I could see him getting to the final because he is bound to improve over the course of the tourney - giving him more experience.

 

You seem pretty grumpy to me.

I think Ward has excellent boxing skills and great speed, but I still think Kessler will walk Ward down. Just an opinion.

You want to make a bet on the fight or are you playing it safe like Ward :yep

 

How can Ward be overlooked, when he is in this tournament before Bute, Andrade and Bika ?

I'l guess the majority just thinks Ward cant beat Kessler. Anyway for years there has been S000000000 much "talking-time", now it is "SHOW TIME"!!!!!

 

Kessler's competition in the last two years is not good but it's still better than anything Ward has faced. Don't even try to compare both men's resume please. Ward is still unknown at that level so anything can happen. I personnally think he doesn't have the pop to stop the top guys in the category. Kessler should win by ko, mid-rounds. If Ward wins, well, I'll be happy because he has a nice style and seems to be a good guy dedicated to boxing. I liked watching him against Miranda, he's fluid, moves well, is intelligent in the ring. But...