Andre Ward

[jehoshaphat]

Ward is a quality fighter probably trying to get rid of Goosen.

That is exactly what he is doing. And he is framing his arguments in the very same way that both Floyd and Oscar used to get out of their contracts with Arum. Trouble for Andre is, I'm not sure that a change of promoters will do anything.This is an era of instant gratification unless you happen to be that guy from Vegas and both boxing networks on this continent seem to be playing to that crowd. Pugilism be damned the great masses only have an attention span for about 4 rounds.

His rather large sense of entitlement isn't doing him any favours either. He must have taken the accelerated course outline at Winky Wright university. He's been feeding off that S6 tournament like Felix Strum fed on the Oscar fight. His entire career thus far has been the enabler from venue, to judges, to refs and even weight. How he managed to get home field advantage being one of the newcomers for that tourney still boggles my mind. And he's firing Goossen? I'm amazed that Andre can get through his front door with the head that he has on him.

He wont go to fight Carl in England for the most money he's ever made and then shit on him for fighting Groves. He then says he might fight Groves after the first go. He yacks again at Carl considering a Chavez fight and then talks about a Chavez fight himself. He claims he could not make 160 for 3g but also claimed he could make it for Floyd. 3g offers him a catch and a 50/50 split and he says no and that it must be 168. He's by far the most talented guy in his division and one of the most talented in boxing so I wonder why he always seems to need the deck stacked. Now he's blaming the man that brought the cards to play.

Andre Wards biggest problem is Andre Ward.

Do you have a link where Golovkin's team offered Ward anything? I've seen many interviews where Golovkin's team said they were focused on middleweight, not ready for the Ward fight yet, Ward has to concede, etc. And I'm sure you're aware that everybody would concede to making a weight for Floyd. Golovkin said they would go down to 154 for Floyd but turned down Lara at 154 because they are committed to 160. BHop said he would go down to freaking 160 for Floyd, Canelo went to 152, Marquez instantly went from lightweight to 144 for Floyd, Khan passed on Alexander and is moving up to chase Floyd, etc etc etc. Everybody is going to make an exception for the lottery ticket even if they find out they are weight drained it is still worth the attempt. I'm not trying to come at you wrong but I feel Golovkin is really getting a pass after his team fooled everybody into thinking he was this boogeyman and everybody from 154 to 175 was scared. Both Lara and Ward called GGG's team on it and they turned both down saying they want to try to clear out 160 first. Now they are immediately going to 168 for what looks like an easy payday of a punching bag in Jr. At the very least they outright lied. What is your take on that? I think he is the real deal still but he is not the boogeyman they marketed him as. But anyway, back to the thread's specific point. I think Ward is saying one thing as a certain portrayal but really trying to ride out of his deal. He is adamant about getting out so I think he is not going to push to make much more money for Goosen. They have more court ahead as well. But his deal with Super 6 getting those home bouts I saw an interview back then where Ward said he would be willing to take short money and fight whoever(why he got stuck with the #1 Kessler to start) if he got the home bout. And I also saw an article where Jermain Taylor basically wanted the biggest money but he would fight whoever and on their turf.

Good stuff.


I'll try to find some links I came across but point taken. Fighters say all kinds of things and do the other but Ward to me has dropped the ball on his career and I do think that he believes he's the next coming of Floyd and cant understand why the red carpet is still not laid out. He may have a "SOG" complex.The thing is my friend is that he has not really done much since the S6 to deserve the acclamation he thinks he should have. The Dawson circus kind of did for me tbh and then almost immediately afterward he spoke of possibly going to 175. I know Dawson offered but still. Again he's a great fighter but he's wasting away and his ego almost casts a scent through my monitor. I believe he's been pampered and wants it to continue and that Goossen probably told him it cant be done anymore and he is going to have to leave his comfort zone. A Vegas fight with Kovalev or a Quebec date with Stevenson after their mandatory fights should be what he's calling for. 168 is a ghost town. Whats he waiting for? The Goossen thing has been ongoing for over a year and he's fought.

Do you think he has been pampered or do you really believe he should concede more to the bigger fights? Its kind of hard to argue he has been pampered when he has fought the best of the best. I agree he should concede more but at least we have a top fighter willing to fight. He cleared out the super 6, he said he would be willing to fight Froch again overseas, he called Golovkin on that bluff, when Dawson called him out he went right to that fight. He is the #2 fighter in boxing. Fighters should be more willing to come to him. Business is the main play in boxing not what the fans want. Remember, we could have another boxer not willing under any conditions to fight certain fighters. But what do you mean he is wasting away? You don't possibly think he would have been a PPV draw do you? I think Ward is about what he was going to be as far as financials/draw go. He's not a bad boy and his style is more skill than blood and guts so he is not drawing the casual fan. But his problem with Goosen is that his first contract basically locked him in from the beginning through the prime of his career. Some states this is illegal for obvious reasons.