Boxing Perspective: Andre Ward

“Become Legendary.”

Those are the words of Michael Jordan, used in a commercial promoting the latest installment of the Jordan shoe series. Shown in the commercial are a whole host of sports stars, from Derrick Jeter, Terrell Owens, Carmello Anthony and Chris Paul III to the legend himself, Michael Jordan.

Somewhere in the midst of all those names is boxer Andre Ward, featured exactly halfway through the minute long commercial. That alone is enough to tell you just what type of lofty expectations are had for the 24 year old.

On March 20, Ward, 14-0 (9), will attempt to take the next step to, as Jordan says, “become legendary”, when he faces off with former top rated super middleweight Rubin “Hollywood” Williams, 29-3 (16), at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. The bout marks a major step up in competition for Ward, and serves as the main event for the American Metal and Iron sponsored “Fight Night At The Tank” 2008 season premier.

Ward is faced with a seasoned veteran in Williams who has been in the ring with the likes of Jeff Lacy, Antwun Echols and in his most recent outing, Allan Green. Known for his forceful jab and poignant body attack, Detroit’s Williams is looking to make amends for his disappointing January effort against Green.

Williams blamed that blowout decision loss on ring rust after a year layoff. Now scheduled to be in the ring only three months since that loss, rust should hardly be an issue for the former world title challenger. Now “Mr. Hollywood” will look to be the star of the show, but will have to do so in hostile territory.

Ward, the triumphant hero of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Boxing team and the lone Gold Medallist from that class, is fighting for the fourth time in San Jose since turning pro. A Bay Area native, Ward has never failed to impress in front of the rabid home crowd, including a televised three round destruction of Christopher Holt in his fifth pro fight.

Now hometown fans will have the opportunity to support their favorite son when he takes on his toughest opponent to date.

While the support in his home base of the Bay Area never wavered, Ward’s career thus far has been met with lukewarm reviews elsewhere. In what was supposed to be a showcase for the young star on the undercard of a Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight, Ward was sent to the mat for the first time in his career by Darnell Boone.

Fighting for only the seventh time as a pro, Ward managed to will himself up off the canvas and eventually win by way of decision, a decision that was booed loudly by the unimpressed Portland, Oregon crowd.

Ward rebounded quickly, scoring two more victories in early 2006 before suffering a thumb injury that would sideline him for seven months before his next in-ring action. Ward returned in November of that year, with a unanimous decision victory over Derrick Findley in San Jose. Despite the impressive performance, critics chided Ward for not having a “killer instinct”, contesting that he was not aggressive enough and was satisfied with scorecard victories.

Ward brushed off the cynics, and has promptly stopped his last four opponents inside of the scheduled distance, a streak that started with an third round TKO of Julio Jean in San Jose. In recent months, Ward’s critics in the press and on the internet have cooled off as the former Olympian has pressed forward in his career.

Now looking to break into the mainstream mold, Ward will have to first get by Williams in what is for both contestants, a high stakes fight.

Supporting Ward and Williams on the bill is an attractive matchup of two of the Bay Area’s rising stars and the return of the “You Be The Judge Contest.” The novel concept was met with great enthusiasm in November at the close of the 2007 Fight Night At The Tank season.

The contest takes place after the first four under card fights and polls fans, by way of loudest applause, on who their favorite undercard fighter is. The contest is an incentive for boxers on the undercard to perform their best and the winner is rewarded with a trophy, $500, and an invite to the next show.

In action on the card is the winner of last season’s “You Be The Judge Contest”, Francisco Santana, 8-0 (4). Trained by former world champion Wayne McCullough, the flashy Santana will be taking on another hometown favorite, San Francisco’s Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield, 5-0 (5).

Mayfield, a San Francisco Golden Gloves Champion who was in England recently to spar with Ricky Hatton in preparation for the Hitman’s superfight against Mayweather, has developed a strong following in the Bay Area. Like Santana, he has also been a staple on the San Jose fight cards, and will be fighting for the third time at the venue when the two square off.

Making a special appearance at the event will be legendary trainer Angelo Dundee.

Individual tickets can be purchased at the HP Pavilion ticket office, at Ticketmaster ticket centers throughout the Bay Area, online at ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at (408) 998-TIXS, (415) 421-TIXS or (510) 625-TIXS. For more information about season tickets or group discounts call (408) 999-6808 or go to www.fightnightatthetank.com.