Abraham - Ward Fight Thread

[CFH]

Just wanted to this thread that Ward is a nice enough guy, and he's a good boxer, but I don't see this dude ever being the next big thing in boxing. I can't think of one of Ward's fights that I came away thinking, wow, that was a great fight, or that was entertaining.

I wonder how much Ward got paid for the AA fight, whatever it was, it was too much.

And what makes someone the next big thing in boxing? Isn't it supposed to be about who you beat and a legacy? Or is it about how exciting your style is? Wards style gets it done against the best the division has had to offer thus far. Sometimes it isn't about "wow that was a great entertaining fight" sometimes its about "wow, I was not expecting that guy to be dominated as badly as he was." and these are the top fighters in the division and Ward has rarely lost a round to them. Regardless on the opinion of his style, his dominance is something that cannot be ignored and he's still only 27.

I think the ceiling for Ward, in terms of popularity, is someone like Hopkins. He has a boring, ugly style and people aren't going to pay to watch it unless it's a superfight.

[El Kabong]

That's a sad reality for Ward seeing how he was supposed to be the next RJJ. I wish he had a better style.

[El Kabong]

....So did Bowie Tupou win?

[Gandalf]

Just wanted to this thread that Ward is a nice enough guy, and he's a good boxer, but I don't see this dude ever being the next big thing in boxing. I can't think of one of Ward's fights that I came away thinking, wow, that was a great fight, or that was entertaining.

I wonder how much Ward got paid for the AA fight, whatever it was, it was too much.

And what makes someone the next big thing in boxing? Isn't it supposed to be about who you beat and a legacy? Or is it about how exciting your style is? Wards style gets it done against the best the division has had to offer thus far. Sometimes it isn't about "wow that was a great entertaining fight" sometimes its about "wow, I was not expecting that guy to be dominated as badly as he was." and these are the top fighters in the division and Ward has rarely lost a round to them. Regardless on the opinion of his style, his dominance is something that cannot be ignored and he's still only 27.

I think the ceiling for Ward, in terms of popularity, is someone like Hopkins. He has a boring, ugly style and people aren't going to pay to watch it unless it's a superfight.

True, he's very good at what he does, but the style is repetitive and not going to make people sit back and say 'wow'. He obviously grafts in the gym and does what he does very well. As you point out, he is clearly much more like Hopkins than someone like Jones Jr or Manny Pacquiao. He is never going to be one of them, but there is no shame in that as smarts and intelligence are clearly good enough to make him one of the best in his division. Ward has a decent all round game, works hard and wins rounds. It has worked so far against rather predictable fighters, but the first true test is really with Froch who isn't easy to read at all. Froch is unorthodox, hits hard and has now shown that he can adapt. I can't wait for this showdown and I am sure Froch will get rid of Johnson.

[skel1983]

Miles people also forget that Froch got dropped by Taylor....seriously hurt by him. Glenn Johnson is not someone to be looked past.

No he wasnt, he got dropped and wasn't hurt at all got back up and was fine.

[MMASUX]

Just wanted to this thread that Ward is a nice enough guy, and he's a good boxer, but I don't see this dude ever being the next big thing in boxing. I can't think of one of Ward's fights that I came away thinking, wow, that was a great fight, or that was entertaining.

I wonder how much Ward got paid for the AA fight, whatever it was, it was too much.

And what makes someone the next big thing in boxing? Isn't it supposed to be about who you beat and a legacy? Or is it about how exciting your style is? Wards style gets it done against the best the division has had to offer thus far. Sometimes it isn't about "wow that was a great entertaining fight" sometimes its about "wow, I was not expecting that guy to be dominated as badly as he was." and these are the top fighters in the division and Ward has rarely lost a round to them. Regardless on the opinion of his style, his dominance is something that cannot be ignored and he's still only 27.

I think the ceiling for Ward, in terms of popularity, is someone like Hopkins. He has a boring, ugly style and people aren't going to pay to watch it unless it's a superfight.

As much as i like Ward i completely agree. Very much like Bhop, but doesn't have the mouth like bhop to sell and generate intrest in his fights.

[Master]

At one stage he was going to be the new Roy Jones Jnr but he may end up the new Bernard Hopkins which is not bad but it is not great either.

[Mars_ax]

Just wanted to this thread that Ward is a nice enough guy, and he's a good boxer, but I don't see this dude ever being the next big thing in boxing. I can't think of one of Ward's fights that I came away thinking, wow, that was a great fight, or that was entertaining.

I wonder how much Ward got paid for the AA fight, whatever it was, it was too much.

And what makes someone the next big thing in boxing? Isn't it supposed to be about who you beat and a legacy? Or is it about how exciting your style is? Wards style gets it done against the best the division has had to offer thus far. Sometimes it isn't about "wow that was a great entertaining fight" sometimes its about "wow, I was not expecting that guy to be dominated as badly as he was." and these are the top fighters in the division and Ward has rarely lost a round to them. Regardless on the opinion of his style, his dominance is something that cannot be ignored and he's still only 27.

Ward is a good fighter/boxer, with a great defense, and he's managed to dominate most of the competition so far, just saying, his style isn't exciting or entertaining enough for me to have much interest in watching him fight. I mean seriously, who do you hear saying: "Andre Ward is fighting tonight, can't hardly wait, drag up the popcorn & beer, and Katy better bar the door, it's gonna be great!"

BTW, that S.O.G. shit is enough to gag a fucking maggot.

[Spicoli]

Man, its not like he's doing a Dirrell or A Harrison out there. Think he's getting a bum rap and while his style may not put you on the edge of your seat there must be something said for a guy who picks a guy apart, fully and completely. He wasn't on the backfoot all 12 and it is quite entertaining to see a guy lure an opponent in and gradually turn aggressor and do exactly what he wants, when he wants. He gets compared to Hopkins but Bernard had a huge transition from early attacker to sharpshooter and yes at times, to a boring arrogant guy insisting on painting with water colors when we wanted industrial sprayers. But hey, its worked for him now, preserved the goods to have him on the cusp of history. They cant all be free swinging full throttle offense machines. Ring generalship is a great thing to watch, I believe Ward has a good bit of that. I couldn't stand the guy before the tourney, but I'm a fan. Dude is wise beyond his years and a tricky shifty boxer. He has a ways to go and time will tell but skill speaks for itself.

[Mars_ax]

Man, its not like he's doing a Dirrell or A Harrison out there. Think he's getting a bum rap and while his style may not put you on the edge of your seat there must be something said for a guy who picks a guy apart, fully and completely. He wasn't on the backfoot all 12 and it is quite entertaining to see a guy lure an opponent in and gradually turn aggressor and do exactly what he wants, when he wants. He gets compared to Hopkins but Bernard had a huge transition from early attacker to sharpshooter and yes at times, to a boring arrogant guy insisting on painting with water colors when we wanted industrial sprayers. But hey, its worked for him now, preserved the goods to have him on the cusp of history. They cant all be free swinging full throttle offense machines. Ring generalship is a great thing to watch, I believe Ward has a good bit of that. I couldn't stand the guy before the tourney, but I'm a fan. Dude is wise beyond his years and a tricky shifty boxer. He has a ways to go and time will tell but skill speaks for itself.

Maybe Ward will pick up more fans like you, and become wildly popular, if he does, more power to him. I know one thing, american boxing fans could use a few more guys to cheer for.

[Spicoli]

Man, its not like he's doing a Dirrell or A Harrison out there. Think he's getting a bum rap and while his style may not put you on the edge of your seat there must be something said for a guy who picks a guy apart, fully and completely. He wasn't on the backfoot all 12 and it is quite entertaining to see a guy lure an opponent in and gradually turn aggressor and do exactly what he wants, when he wants. He gets compared to Hopkins but Bernard had a huge transition from early attacker to sharpshooter and yes at times, to a boring arrogant guy insisting on painting with water colors when we wanted industrial sprayers. But hey, its worked for him now, preserved the goods to have him on the cusp of history. They cant all be free swinging full throttle offense machines. Ring generalship is a great thing to watch, I believe Ward has a good bit of that. I couldn't stand the guy before the tourney, but I'm a fan. Dude is wise beyond his years and a tricky shifty boxer. He has a ways to go and time will tell but skill speaks for itself.

Maybe will Ward will pick up more fans like you, and become wildly popular, if he does, more power to him. I know one thing, american boxing fans could use a few more guys to cheer for.

Maybe so. But its not so much him that I'm a fan of at all. Just like to watch the craft of it once in awhile. I don't see him becoming widley popular. When we have even Pac getting booed in our sport that says something, unfortunate.

[Majesty]

Man, its not like he's doing a Dirrell or A Harrison out there. Think he's getting a bum rap and while his style may not put you on the edge of your seat there must be something said for a guy who picks a guy apart, fully and completely. He wasn't on the backfoot all 12 and it is quite entertaining to see a guy lure an opponent in and gradually turn aggressor and do exactly what he wants, when he wants. He gets compared to Hopkins but Bernard had a huge transition from early attacker to sharpshooter and yes at times, to a boring arrogant guy insisting on painting with water colors when we wanted industrial sprayers. But hey, its worked for him now, preserved the goods to have him on the cusp of history. They cant all be free swinging full throttle offense machines. Ring generalship is a great thing to watch, I believe Ward has a good bit of that. I couldn't stand the guy before the tourney, but I'm a fan. Dude is wise beyond his years and a tricky shifty boxer. He has a ways to go and time will tell but skill speaks for itself.

Maybe will Ward will pick up more fans like you, and become wildly popular, if he does, more power to him. I know one thing, american boxing fans could use a few more guys to cheer for.

Maybe so. But its not so much him that I'm a fan of at all. Just like to watch the craft of it once in awhile. I don't see him becoming widley popular. When we have even Pac getting booed in our sport that says something, unfortunate.

The main thing is, I don't see how Ward gets such a bum rap. He picks people apart and paints them with punches from all angles and has a sharp jab that hurts opponents as much as his other shots. Maybe its considered boring because he shuts down his opponents so bad that he winds up being really the only one throwing and painting them. But that's not his fault either.

[CFH]

Man, its not like he's doing a Dirrell or A Harrison out there. Think he's getting a bum rap and while his style may not put you on the edge of your seat there must be something said for a guy who picks a guy apart, fully and completely. He wasn't on the backfoot all 12 and it is quite entertaining to see a guy lure an opponent in and gradually turn aggressor and do exactly what he wants, when he wants. He gets compared to Hopkins but Bernard had a huge transition from early attacker to sharpshooter and yes at times, to a boring arrogant guy insisting on painting with water colors when we wanted industrial sprayers. But hey, its worked for him now, preserved the goods to have him on the cusp of history. They cant all be free swinging full throttle offense machines. Ring generalship is a great thing to watch, I believe Ward has a good bit of that. I couldn't stand the guy before the tourney, but I'm a fan. Dude is wise beyond his years and a tricky shifty boxer. He has a ways to go and time will tell but skill speaks for itself.

Maybe will Ward will pick up more fans like you, and become wildly popular, if he does, more power to him. I know one thing, american boxing fans could use a few more guys to cheer for.

Maybe so. But its not so much him that I'm a fan of at all. Just like to watch the craft of it once in awhile. I don't see him becoming widley popular. When we have even Pac getting booed in our sport that says something, unfortunate.

The main thing is, I don't see how Ward gets such a bum rap. He picks people apart and paints them with punches from all angles and has a sharp jab that hurts opponents as much as his other shots. Maybe its considered boring because he shuts down his opponents so bad that he winds up being really the only one throwing and painting them. But that's not his fault either.

He also holds more than Ricky Hatton and headbutts more than Evander Holyfield.

[Kev]

I think Ward is a guy who will be respected a whole lot more towards the end of his career than he is now.

Much like a band who put out top 20 hit singles year on year but never have a huge smash hit number one. If they are around long enough they could nonetheless become a huge band like Radiohead or U2, despite not having the hit singles that some of these here today gone tomorrow teeny boppers have.

Quality body of work over the long haul rather a one or two hit wonder.

[No Contest]

You cant blame Ward for that fight ending up mildly boring, it was Abrahams turtle style. He's like Winky without the jab. Spicoli what do you mean pulling a Dirrell? What he had 1 fight against Curtis Stevens that was boring, all his other fights have been exciting fights. I don't get that reference at all. Ward has in the past been boring due to holding too much and pretty much slowing the pace down with mauling tactics.