Andre Ward vs. Alexander Brand Officially Revealed By Roc Nation - Boxing News
Don't know Brand, is this a good fight before Kovalev?
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Andre Ward vs. Alexander Brand Officially Revealed By Roc Nation - Boxing News
Don't know Brand, is this a good fight before Kovalev?
Haven't seen him either, at a guess no:p He's 39 and Badou Jack is the only name I recognize on his record, SD loss 4 years ago. I'm sure he's solid, as is Chilemba (Kovalevs next opponent), but it's hardly doing anything to make Kovalev-Ward any bigger or more prepared for each other. If they had been on the same bill on a free cable fight or something that's another story, but oh well at least they are signed to fight.
Step up to Lt hvy and fight a 40 yr old super middleweight? Brilliant Mr. Ward! This is pretty weak honestly. I saw the Jack fight and Brand resembled a bigger more crude Mayorga, but it was close and he's won a latino trinket since. If that counts :-X.
Holy crap... i just looked this guy up online.. :-\ This should be a 3 round slaughter at most. Some of his jabs can be called backhands, his punch mechanics are unorthodox to say the least and sometimes shorten his punches...
https://youtu.be/6IDpo3l0r1A
Here he is making a double end ball look like mayweather jr.
https://youtu.be/asvTtYe9ZYg
Look at those happy feet...
https://youtu.be/JnQBWDBUGW4
Have at it, Gents...:-\
I watched a couple of rounds of the Jack fight and the first thing I thought was he's a big Mayorga.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spicoli
I get the feeling that Ward is not going to turn up for the Kovalev fight, hope I am wrong but if he was serious then he would have fought a better opponent to give him the confidence of beating someone like Kov.
I'm thinking the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
Alexander Brand is nearly age 40, he's an old super-middleweight journeyman with a predictable style. Ward didn't want to fight Shabranskyy (who just wanted the same pay as Barrera received) or any other legit top ten LHW.
Crafty top ten light heavyweight Isaac Chilemba is a much better fighter than Brand (bigger and much younger too), and his defensive skills will help Kovalev prepare for Ward.
Perfect example. Ward has becone his worst enemy.Quote:
Originally Posted by FreedomI'm thinking the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
Alexander Brand is nearly age 40, he's an old super-middleweight journeyman with a predictable style. Ward didn't want to fight Shabranskyy (who just wanted the same pay as Barrera received) or any other legit top ten LHW.
Crafty top ten light heavyweight Isaac Chilemba is a much better fighter than Brand (bigger and much younger too), and his defensive skills will help Kovalev prepare for Ward.
This doesn't seem like a good opponent other than he only has 1 loss and looks to be a puncher.Quote:
Originally Posted by FreedomI'm thinking the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
Alexander Brand is nearly age 40, he's an old super-middleweight journeyman with a predictable style. Ward didn't want to fight Shabranskyy (who just wanted the same pay as Barrera received) or any other legit top ten LHW.
Crafty top ten light heavyweight Isaac Chilemba is a much better fighter than Brand (bigger and much younger too), and his defensive skills will help Kovalev prepare for Ward.
Ward is no coward though and has continually surprised boxing fans with wins over guys like Kessler and Dawson.
I believe he fully intends to fight Kovalev and will. I can't say who will win though.
It's a silly fight to make. I can understand an active fighter having tune ups, but Ward hasn't really proven he is back yet and Kovalev is an active destroyer. Ward should be fighting someone he can learn from, but instead he is seemingly looking to fill time. I think he is in for a rude awakening when he finally gets in there with Kovalev. He is going to get Lacy'ed.
Pathetic. I didn't like Ward when he came on the scene and I allowed my dislike to make me underrate him. I learned from that, to separate my opinion from my estimation. And because I was initially harsh about him I've given him the benefit of the doubt as I watched him waste years of his career. But this does nothing to prepare him for the big fight which I finally have to question if he is even interested in the big fight or if he just wants to collect a few more checks(this being the last)and walk away before November.
It's a shame because a healthy and active, well prepared Ward beats Kovalev. But this version, I'm not sure he is even competitive.
As strange as it might seem from me. I give ward the smallest amount of credit for this choice only because, he was supposed to fight brand in the november fight he pulled out of with the knee swelling (cotto/can-yellow undercard- if what im reading is correct). Still he tried to pick two other fighters before him this time (skoglund being one and cleverly being the other-- if what im reading is correct).
It nice to keep a promise, but we all know this more likely a case of ward trying to secure the highest percentage he could with the opponent who was willing to take scraps. The other 2 were probably priced out or made zero hour proposals and then priced out. This doesn't do anything to prepare him for kovalev (especially considering brand its a looper with poor punch mechanics and kovalev is a straight puncher with better than average punch mechanics/form )
It's better than David Haye level of opposition but still not what he needs to prepare for Kovalev. Ward had been out a hell of a long time and looked eminently hittable in his last fight. He's going to win but will he look beatable in this fight?
HBO just practically fumigated the building before this went to air. Back in the day this would be on USA Tuesday night fights. No undercard
Really. The 7th round. HBO trying best to make Brand look like Jimmy Young.
They had to keep cutting to the krusher just to keep people interested.. wow..
Looks like I will NOT be tuned in to the inevitably dull "Face-off" and 24/7s as the fight approaches
Honestly don't know what to make of Ward with interview and finish or lack thereof. He is either the ultimate respected bullshater playing meek into big fight or Brand was really that awkward and survivor style??? There is no reason this mismatch went rounds.
One of the most awkward interviews I have ever seen. Kovalev didn't really have much to say and ward is pretty quiet too. They should have taken that into account before pulling kovalev into the ring.
He's either sandbagging big time or bi may have to change my prediction and say he's gonna get knocked the hell out . The body shots brand landed and a few of of the straight punches in the exchange shouldn't have landed and they are 2 big tools that krusher uses frequently..Quote:
Originally Posted by Spicoli
I felt way back they should have just fought this spring or summer instead of taking pointless tuneup fights, but I really didn't expect they would each manage to look bad in the process and then give the most uninspired face off of all time. Still think there are cases to be made for both and I'm sure each will be better when they fight, but it's hardly looking like a fight for the top spot in boxing anymore is it.
Its bizarre considering some have him floating around top p4p and THE light heavyweight champ. Kovalev goes 12 rounds with at least a serviceable capable top 10 fighter and gets shat on. Ward goes 12 pedestrian rounds with a spr middleweight who had never fought 175 and it's crickets. The way HBO was trying to put lipstick on this pig of a snoozer once it went late was comical. When was the last time you heard a 'challenger' be introduced as "the current WBF champion"??? I believe more now that Kovalev stops Ward.Quote:
Originally Posted by J_UndisputedHe's either sandbagging big time or bi may have to change my prediction and say he's gonna get knocked the hell out . The body shots brand landed and a few of of the straight punches in the exchange shouldn't have landed and they are 2 big tools that krusher uses frequently..Quote:
Originally Posted by Spicoli
The reported purses were - Ward 850k, Brand 30k. What?
That was an utterly pointless fight apart from Ward making some easy dough.
I watched a bit of it, and some of wards previous fight, and most of ward v smith and if ward beats kovalev I will be very surprised/impressed
I think the wise money would go on it not happening
That's what they got. HBO allowed Ward to fight a 39 year old Columbian club fighter who was being paid peanuts on primetime TV. I saw the purses and I changed my weekend plans. Fuck watching that fight live. I'm watching it now and Ward looks terrible. He can't even grab after the jab quick enough anymore. If Ward manages to old man and frustrate Kovalev and wins on points I'll cry.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fenster
Ward-Kovalev is now looking nothing like people were hoping for a year or so ago. HBO allowed them to extend their careers with pointless fights and after underwhelming performances it's taken the gloss right off the main event. I would blame this on Haymon signing so many fighters but they've done this kind of thing before even Haymon came along.
The reported purses were - Ward 850k, Brand 30k. What?
That was an utterly pointless fight apart from Ward making some easy dough.
__________________________________________________ ___________________________
30k? Wow
That's 20k after taxes. After his management team and trainers get their cut, there's NOTHING left.
The whole "letting the fight marinate" thing almost always backfires. Although still is still a very big fight, if they would have fought before both of their last fights it would have been more enticing. Both have now shown vulnerabilities. Before, both looked dominant and almost unstoppable.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kirkland LaingThat's what they got. HBO allowed Ward to fight a 39 year old Columbian club fighter who was being paid peanuts on primetime TV. I saw the purses and I changed my weekend plans. Fuck watching that fight live. I'm watching it now and Ward looks terrible. He can't even grab after the jab quick enough anymore. If Ward manages to old man and frustrate Kovalev and wins on points I'll cry.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fenster
Ward-Kovalev is now looking nothing like people were hoping for a year or so ago. HBO allowed them to extend their careers with pointless fights and after underwhelming performances it's taken the gloss right off the main event. I would blame this on Haymon signing so many fighters but they've done this kind of thing before even Haymon came along.
When it comes down to it though, it's still a huge fight in boxing and probably still the best fight that could be made (as in the best against the best) even though it has lost a bit of steam.
That's a crime if true.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sleepwalker
The man fought on national television and went the distance against one of boxings very best at a relatively high weight.
That deserves six figures I'd think.
hell probly get a few more fights on the back of it though