Re: Andre Ward Similar to Roy jones?
Ward similar to Jones, sounds like an insult to Jones. Even negating the intentions of the style argument, it's still hard for me to see the validity of the dominance part of it. Jones used his speed to sting guys in the center of the ring to make them think they had no hope of even getting the idea of where the punches came from. He also had of way of staying in range and didn't get hit while landing clean combos on his opponents. This jab or stiff arming an opponent, and the leading with your head or shoulder till you can get an arm bar on him and sucker punch him with the other hand it just the latest tactic (along with volume punching to land 2 out of 5 in every combo, turning and running from an opponent, hurling yourself to the floor, faking injury and other stuff that cheapens the sport) by a bunch of kids that don't really like the idea of having to take a punch but like the money.
Ward was effective when he feinted from right on top of Green and got him to cover up so he could unload... and I can appreciate that part of his game... but the facewashing (putting your arm straight out and palm your opponents face in order to stave them off), Grabbing the left arm and pinning your head between his shoulder and neck in order to immobilize his his head so you can go for that rock em sock em uppercuts with the left hand was all bull$h*t. Pushing your opponent back to the ropes and keeping him pinned there for a half hour while your do you B-hop impersonation is rather weak. There were also one or two over the top punches that didn't have enough room and became more forearm than punch. While its a good way to sap your opponent of all his energy, I suppose... it's rather sad that he can't find another way to beat opponents. As much as I hate Dirrel, i'd rather watch him that watch this crap... (I had to switch off after the 7th round as ward's style, the nuthugging showtime commentators and the majority of fans in attendance (no offense to Amat or anyone else there) screaming for every glancing shot or flail on the inside was turning my stomach) . Sure Direll runs (and i can't believe I'm saying this but...), but at least when he's corner he can find one of his balls, stand his ground and punch back for a second before he takes off again. Sadly when the two meet, Ward will eek out a decision by jabbing or palming Direll off in a direction, throw a punch, go for the tackle and stymie any running Dirrel has planned... before smothering him on the ropes. That first punch will get him the points win.
I saw articles and journal posts across the web asking if Ward was the next Mayweather? Is this all this generation has to offer? Flail and bail, jab and grab and all the other methods of taking the action out of a fight. The fighters of yesteryear definitely had a penchant for taking more punches then they had to for the sake of bravado. Then somewhere in the middle, we had fighters like Roy and Floyd of immense talent accused of being too cautious and not using it enough to engage an opponent. Now we have kids that look like they have never seen a fight in their life trying to reinvent the game using these spoiler methods to master the art of fighting without fighting. Reminds of basketball decade ago before it became fouling for points. I see the logic..Why use develop your skills when you only need to do half the work and draw a foul and get 2 free unobstructed shots... but fail to see the merit in this.
Guess I'll just have to wait for the day someone gets tired of this smothering crap and intentionally misses on a punch on the inside and follows through with and elbow just above the eye or the bridge of Wards nose or maybe just under throat in the Adam's apple region. Maybe then we'll see if this kid can fight from the outside.
They want your @$$ beat because upsets make news. News brings about excitement, excitement brings about ratings. The objective is to bring you up to the tower and tear your @$$ down. And if you don't believe that, you're crazy.
Roy Jones, Jr. "What I've Learned," Esquire 2003
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