Quote Originally Posted by p4pking View Post
this is more of a step back for Ward than anything.
True, but I can't think of any fight that wouldn't be, unless he wanted to try and shed 8 lbs and fight Martinez at 160 -- which would be ill-advised (and which he's said he won't/can't do).

I suppose a rematch with Dawson at 175 technically would be a step up, but no one is clamoring for that right now.

That all said, a fight against Dirrell or a fight at 175 against Cloud would be less of a step back than this (though I also think he beats Cloud 12-0).