By a vote of the officers and board of directors of the Boxing Writers Association of America, the recipient of the 2010 James A. Farley award for "Honesty and Integrity in Boxing" is Micky Ward. Ward, a tough junior welterweight from Lowell, Massachusetts, compiled a career record of 38-13 (27 KOs). He is best known to boxing fans for his legendary trilogy with Arturo Gatti, fights that were the final three of Ward's career, the last being on June 7, 2003. The movie "THE FIGHTER," based on Ward's career is a serious contender for Academy Awards honors. As a result, Ward has transcended his sport and is now known to the mainstream public. He has been a fan-friendly fighter both inside and outside the ring, going out of his way to accommodate the public.
He deserves it, he really was one of the most honest fighters around. Seems like a nice guy and his fights with Gatti were throwbacks.He always out on a good fight win,lose or draw.
To be honest, i thought the film was excruciatingly boring with little to really say.I don't begrudge Ward any honours he may be getting though.
Is ward the most honest guy? Damn if I know...seems like the award is partially for the movie...but that's fine I guess....
I'm all for anything that sheds positive light on our beloved sport, even if they did bend some truths for Hollywood's sake. And my question is: Why do fighters like Ward, who wins some, loses some, but always fights his heart out get paid nothing in comparison to the fighters who constantly charge $50 or $60 to see them outclass or ho-hum their way to victory in a multi-million dollar sparring match? There's something to be said for effort in every fight and fighting on, win or lose. The same can't be said for many top fighters.
