Froch vs. Ward - Saturday fight/chat thread

[CFH]

The Son of God shit is beyond annoying but I'm in a total disconnect with a lot of people on his entertainment value.

I'm never bored in his fights. He's an exciting fighter IMO

I have no issue with relentless hate though. I hate Wlad as much as Canadians love Nickelback.

That is a goddamn dirty lie

[CFH]

It's just a figure of speech. As violent as the sport is, no fan actually wants to see anyone get seriously hurt. It's just entertainment at the end of the day.

Of course it is a figure of speech, and I didn't think differently when I read it. But it's ugly anyway, in a sport where it could happen all too easily.

Even understanding that it wasn't meant literally, the comment is just one example among quite a few. Ward isn't much liked by a lot of people here. And the dislike has a bit of energy to it.

Really the only point I was trying to make. I don't think he's that hard to take.

People seem split on him. I think he's a very talented fighter, but he's also very dirty. I don't think his fights have been that entertaining, but they're not that entertaining in the same way that Mayweather's aren't - they're completely one-sided. It's always impressive watching Ward fight, but he's just so much better than everyone he's fought so far that there is very little intrigue.

I don't really mind his fighting style (at least not anymore than I might someone like Hopkins), it's mostly his personality that grates on me.

[Mars_ax]

The Son of God shit is beyond annoying but I'm in a total disconnect with a lot of people on his entertainment value.

I'm never bored in his fights. He's an exciting fighter IMO

I have no issue with relentless hate though. I hate Wlad as much as Canadians love Nickelback.

I wouldn't care who he is, that Son of God shit makes me wanna

The only reason I watched the fight tonight, was in the hope that Froch might win. I unmuted the sound long enough to hear the decision read, then immediately changed the channel.

[Mars_ax]

It's just a figure of speech. As violent as the sport is, no fan actually wants to see anyone get seriously hurt. It's just entertainment at the end of the day.

Of course it is a figure of speech, and I didn't think differently when I read it. But it's ugly anyway, in a sport where it could happen all too easily.

Even understanding that it wasn't meant literally, the comment is just one example among quite a few. Ward isn't much liked by a lot of people here. And the dislike has a bit of energy to it.

Really the only point I was trying to make. I don't think he's that hard to take.

People seem split on him. I think he's a very talented fighter, but he's also very dirty. I don't think his fights have been that entertaining, but they're not that entertaining in the same way that Mayweather's aren't - they're completely one-sided. It's always impressive watching Ward fight, but he's just so much better than everyone he's fought so far that there is very little intrigue.

I don't really mind his fighting style (at least not anymore than I might someone like Hopkins), it's mostly his personality that grates on me.

I disagree, Mayweather's fights are far more watchable then Ward's, plus he's a much more talented fighter, Ward doesn't even come close.

[shza]

Froch can box (Jermain Taylor).

Recall that Froch was losing *badly* before KO'ing Taylor.

I'm curious what the odds are for this fight. I honestly see Froch as a full class below Ward and having virtually no chance of winning the fight.

IMO he lost the fight to Dirrell. He lost to Kessler (which was the ugliest, sloppist, most amateurish looking fight I've ever seen between two supposedly elite fighters). On my cards, he's lost half of the Super 6 fights he's been in.

He looked good in the Johnson fight though, I'll give him that. So maybe he's really just improved drastically since the beginning of the tournament.

I'd still be happy to lay down a wad of cash on Ward with even halfway-decent odds.

Exactly as expected. Easy money.

I'd rather see Froch-Bute than Ward-Bute now. The first is a good, competive fight (that I pick Bute to win); the second is a wide Ward UD. Would much rather see Maravilla come up (which he's said he won't do) for Ward or see Ward go up and fight Dawson -- that's a pick'em.

For the record, I'm a serious atheist and can't stand the god-talk from Ward either - but otherwise I like him and he's very impressive. On the other hand, I've always disliked Froch and thought he was typically overrated as a big fish in a small, British pond (though he's better than Hatton, at least). It was nice to see him stop being such an arrogant jackass for once and admit he was outclassed though.

Those 115-113 judges should be suspended. This thing was 117-112 at the absolute closest. I only gave Froch round 9. (3 and 11 were the only other possibilities) But it's nice that it was the British judge who got it right.

Do the Brits who were comparing Froch favorably to Calzaghe think Ward outclasses a prime Calzaghe now? (Purely rhetorical -- I'm not ready to go there at this point.)

[Gandalf]

Froch can box (Jermain Taylor).

Recall that Froch was losing *badly* before KO'ing Taylor.

I'm curious what the odds are for this fight. I honestly see Froch as a full class below Ward and having virtually no chance of winning the fight.

IMO he lost the fight to Dirrell. He lost to Kessler (which was the ugliest, sloppist, most amateurish looking fight I've ever seen between two supposedly elite fighters). On my cards, he's lost half of the Super 6 fights he's been in.

He looked good in the Johnson fight though, I'll give him that. So maybe he's really just improved drastically since the beginning of the tournament.

I'd still be happy to lay down a wad of cash on Ward with even halfway-decent odds.

Exactly as expected. Easy money.

I'd rather see Froch-Bute than Ward-Bute now. The first is a good, competive fight (that I pick Bute to win); the second is a wide Ward UD. Would much rather see Maravilla come up (which he's said he won't do) for Ward or see Ward go up and fight Dawson -- that's a pick'em.

For the record, I'm a serious atheist and can't stand the god-talk from Ward either - but otherwise I like him and he's very impressive. On the other hand, I've always disliked Froch and thought he was typically overrated as a big fish in a small, British pond (though he's better than Hatton, at least). It was nice to see him stop being such an arrogant jackass for once and admit he was outclassed though.

Those 115-113 judges should be suspended. This thing was 117-112 at the absolute closest. I only gave Froch round 9. (3 and 11 were the only other possibilities) But it's nice that it was the British judge who got it right.

Do the Brits who were comparing Froch favorably to Calzaghe think Ward outclasses a prime Calzaghe now? (Purely rhetorical -- I'm not ready to go there at this point.)

I think Calzaghe/Ward is relatively straightforward for Calzaghe and likewise Froch was always a straightforward fight for Calzaghe too.

Ward is slick and has smarts, but he has stamina issues and there is just no way that he would be able to keep up with Calzaghe. I see it being relatively close whilst Calzaghe feels him out and then once the work rate is jacked up, then Ward is over his head.

Calzaghe has multiple gameplans too, but also has that superhuman workrate. Nobody can keep up with it. Nobody on this earth.

[shza]

Froch can box (Jermain Taylor).

Recall that Froch was losing *badly* before KO'ing Taylor.

I'm curious what the odds are for this fight. I honestly see Froch as a full class below Ward and having virtually no chance of winning the fight.

IMO he lost the fight to Dirrell. He lost to Kessler (which was the ugliest, sloppist, most amateurish looking fight I've ever seen between two supposedly elite fighters). On my cards, he's lost half of the Super 6 fights he's been in.

He looked good in the Johnson fight though, I'll give him that. So maybe he's really just improved drastically since the beginning of the tournament.

I'd still be happy to lay down a wad of cash on Ward with even halfway-decent odds.

Exactly as expected. Easy money.

I'd rather see Froch-Bute than Ward-Bute now. The first is a good, competive fight (that I pick Bute to win); the second is a wide Ward UD. Would much rather see Maravilla come up (which he's said he won't do) for Ward or see Ward go up and fight Dawson -- that's a pick'em.

For the record, I'm a serious atheist and can't stand the god-talk from Ward either - but otherwise I like him and he's very impressive. On the other hand, I've always disliked Froch and thought he was typically overrated as a big fish in a small, British pond (though he's better than Hatton, at least). It was nice to see him stop being such an arrogant jackass for once and admit he was outclassed though.

Those 115-113 judges should be suspended. This thing was 117-112 at the absolute closest. I only gave Froch round 9. (3 and 11 were the only other possibilities) But it's nice that it was the British judge who got it right.

Do the Brits who were comparing Froch favorably to Calzaghe think Ward outclasses a prime Calzaghe now? (Purely rhetorical -- I'm not ready to go there at this point.)

I think Calzaghe/Ward is relatively straightforward for Calzaghe and likewise Froch was always a straightforward fight for Calzaghe too.

Ward is slick and has smarts, but he has stamina issues and there is just no way that he would be able to keep up with Calzaghe. I see it being relatively close whilst Calzaghe feels him out and then once the work rate is jacked up, then Ward is over his head.

Calzaghe has multiple gameplans too, but also has that superhuman workrate. Nobody can keep up with it. Nobody on this earth.

I thought an old, way-past-his-prime Hopkins edged him, actually. Would have been an easy win for a prime Hopkins.

And a prime Jones would have destroyed Calzaghe.

But you may be right about Calzaghe/Ward. Too early to tell IMO.

Not trying to be dismissive of Calzaghe - he was a very, very good fighter and his workrate was indeed unreal. Just that Hopkins and Jones were best-of-generation fighters, and Calzaghe wasn't. Unclear if Ward is or not. Fairly ridiculous to claim it's "relatively straightforward," though.

[GuyIncognito76]

Wow! Via Twitter :-O

danrafaelespn: Looking at official cards from Ward-Froch. John Stewart was absolutely horrible. Had Froch up 49-46 thru 5 rds. ABSOLUTE JOKE. #boxing

I though Ward was excellent but I find his fights dull. A lot of it is not his fault, the Kessler and Froch fights were too one sided. He may have similar skills to Floyd and Roy, but there is no explosions of excitement.

[0james0]

Was I the only one he thought Froch had to technique in the fight? He looked like someone having one of their first boxing fights. Some real amature mistakes.

He fell into the trap of reaching with an awkward looking paw of a jab and got countered all night. Then even more school boy errors of dropping his hands everytime he jabbed. Ward was landing the left hook at will.

Ward did brilliant, but Froch was awful.

[ross]

Didnt watch after fight commentary or scorecards figured clear enough win for ward why listen to em, but wow 115-113 those are awefully close. I gave froch 3 rounds and those rounds he won cause he went balls out, as much heart as froch has i always feel like he leaves a little bit in the tank, and that cost him the kessler fight. Bute could compete with ward in speed and outside skill but think ward would make it an inside fight and hed maul bute, and i used to think bute would win but ward might just be a bit to good all around. Also really ward fought clean and didnt really do any spoiling in this fight imo and was fairly exciting.

You have to be joking!

I thought Smoger was supposed to let them fight as a ref? He kept allowing Ward to smother, hold and hit. He has adapted his "style" to holding like Hatton did and its fucking ugly! Hes either got his arm around their waist or their elbow, hes never stood where a fighter is supposed to be and avoiding shots by using head movement or any kind of defence, just by smothering and pushing his head against the opponents chest. He neevr once got warned for it but the ref did split them a few times

[Gandalf]

I think Calzaghe would have had an easier time with a younger Hopkins than the one he fought and I thought he beat Hopkins decisively. It was only a close fight really for the first 4 and then Calzaghe made his adjustments. Hopkins always comes on down the stretch, he only hasn't done so against Calzaghe. A younger Hopkins would have given Calzaghe more opportunities to get off his punches.

I really believe Calzaghe is better than Hopkins no matter what, prime Jones Jr is more difficult. None of these Super 6 fighters is a patch on either Hopkins, Jones nor Calzaghe.

Ward is not that hard a fight for Calzaghe. I really believe that.

[Beanz]

There are boxers and there are fighters. There are a select few elite in the hurt game who can effortlessly combine both. Then amongst these few there are those who touch greatness, who can mix it up and evolve mid contest. These warriors transcend the sport, their exploits bleed onto the front page, their fearlessness allows them to dismantle the emerging careers of athletes of great promise and expose those whose excellence has been prematurely announced. They are legends the benchmark against whom future boxers are measured. Carl Froch has the chance to join the select few, the men who are spoken of in hushed tones of awe. That chance is in his lethal hands, the well honed chiselled, spiteful tools of his noble trade. Can the Cobra strike and snatch the mantle of greatness from the hallowed hall of British super Middleweights who punched and fought their way onto the world’s stage, burning the image of their greatness onto the consciousness of pugilistic punters across the globe? Tonight we will find out.

So once again i got it spectacularly wrong

In the early hours of Sunday morning, Carl Froch was comprehensively beaten by Andre Ward. His bravery and durability in withstanding a 12 round onslaught by a former Olympic gold medallist 7 years his junior can not be questioned. The Cobra was made to look sluggish, almost pedestrian at times by the slick American, a boxer whose greatest asset seems to be the ease with which he makes himself unhittable. The elusiveness of Ward was not the surprise on the night, it was his willingness and ability to stand and trade with Froch, forcing the old school warrior from Nottingham back against the ropes, turning his own vicious long game back on to the older man. Carl rallied late on and over a vintage 15 rounds he may well have caught up with a fading Ward, but it is 2011 and over a championship distance of 12 rounds the venom was drawn from the cobra's bite. The snap usually present in his punches, was nullified by Ward's excellent reflexes, and as a counter puncher relentlessly marching forward, it is the Californian man whose name will go down in the record books as holder of 3 belts and winner of the super 6 tournament. Pound for pound Ward has made a case to crash into the top 5, and if he continues to fight like he did against Froch it will just be a matter of time before his name is mentioned in tandem with greatness.

[0james0]

Ward goes straight into the mythical top 5 P4P for me now

[Master]

Hopkins said he never wants to fight Ward, they seem to get on.

[Gandalf]

Hopkins said he never wants to fight Ward, they seem to get on.

It would be like two rams battling for a mate. Bits of brain popping out everywhere.