Rodriguez comes in overweight.

[ross]

Think your all being a bit naive here.

I think it was done on purpose. So what hes losing a bit of cash and wont have a title should he win.

If he wins hes instantly become a massive name and title or not hes beaten probably the second best boxer in the world today.

People count Wards win over Dawson, totally forgetting Dawson was asked to come down from light heavy and be a zombie, whether he agreed to it or not isnt the point, Dawson wasnt fighting at 100% and if Rodriguez wins, people will also forget about the weight and it will be a win over the second best fighter in the world.

I hope it pays off. Ward has had EVERYTHING in his favour over the past few years. Having fights bar Froch in California, every single one of his fights in America. Being allowed to foul to get through his fights, having idiots come down in weight and refusing certain drug tests.

Fuck Ward. I hope it is a a tactic by Edwin and I hope it pays off.

Whos naive chief? Of course it was done on purpose and its becoming a regular event. Guys KNOW they can toss short term money at it and ensure more of a long term payoff. The practice is the win is more important than the money. It's just the point of arrogance when a kid who is basically a filler fight is pulling that crap.

That is a real good point and angle and one cant be blind to the fact that this shit is far to easy to pull these days and that's kind of Houstons point. Its unprofessional and Rodriguez probably knew the show would go on.

Well im glad someone isnt following on Wards terms. Yes I realise hes also not following the rules set in boxing but it has gone on so many times before its almost routine now.

Rodriguez team have taken a calculated risk. Less money, no title but a possible win over a top name. Out of all the fighters out there Ward deserves this sort of shit the most. Never travelling, never fighting a clean fight and then to top it all refusing tests.

Rodriguez isnt anything special anyway but at least hes better than a ratired alcoholic that Ward wanted to fight.

[jehoshaphat]

Rules are rules and he should be penalized for it as should anyone who comes in heavy. At this level any edge can determine the victory. Everybody who thinks Ward should have taken the additional PED test should just as well be mad that Rodriguez didn't come in at the right weight. At this level it should be mandatory to take additional PED testing and punished if you don't come in at the right weight. But to the fight...I think people are writing Rodriguez off too soon. He now has established a weight advantage, he can punch, and I think he'll go under on Ward. Rodriguez should load up on hooks and straight rights to get Ward comfortable in his normal technical crouching mode and then start going under with power uppercuts. If I had to bet I think Ward would still figure Rodriguez out but I really think Rodriguez is going to make it really interesting.

[powerpuncher]

i feel like there are certain people who will always have something to complain about. i dont mind if somebody doesnt like a specific fighter for whatever reason but to complain about ward as a fighter is ridiculous. if it isnt a lack of good competition, its being boring. if its not about being boring, its about controversial tactics. if its not about that, its about home field advantage.

ward is and has been fighting the best for years now. that is a very rare thing in boxing now and people are still complaining. its as if the only way to be liked is to make sure that even if you are the best, you try to put yourself at the biggest disadvantage in every aspect and make sure you make little money.