As of now Ward's fan base can fit into his own car. Just looking at the presser for Ward/Brand, no one was there lol, people walking by. If Ward beats Kovalev in November do y'all think his fan base will increase?
certainly! it would be his biggest win and his fanbase can only grow at this point. don't think he will though.
He may get more respect, but his fan base may not increase too much. A lot of people find Ward's fighting style boring, so whilst they may recognise he is the best fighter on the planet, they still might not tune in to watch him fight. The fact he is not controversial like Mayweather, also doesn't help his cause. Ward will be in a similar position to Rigo after he beat Donaire.
I'm sure it would attract some glory hunters to him, who will call themselves fans until he loses. But I don't think it will make him a big draw or star overnight. He might get to the point where he can sell a PPV and make solid money but he'll never be a huge draw as his style is one for the purists and in terms of personality he's definitely a bit vanilla. At best he can hope for popularity on the level that Hopkins achieved, as long as he keeps winning they'll keep watching but once he loses it's back to the Oracle Arena.
