Andre Ward speaks on his lack of fights!

[Beanflicker]

Andre Ward has a judge jab style that's no good for anyone!

[erics44]

I don't feel bad for him at all but he does suffer from the same disease Rigo does. He's got to technically sound sickness. Odd that Floyd has been making 40 million a fight for more then 5 years suffering from the same illness.

Ward can blame himself for much of his downfall by waiting for everyone to knock on his door. What I don't get is why he has not moved up? Whats he waiting for or rather who. He could break the door down himself by whipping Stevenson or Kovalev. Those could be his Gatti's. Instead he sits and whines and goes on strike.

Floyd throws nice clean crisp punches standing in punching distance. He doesn't rely on throwing an overhand right aimed at going over the opponents shoulder just to lurch in and hold. Floyd is nice to watch. Ward isn't. Ward his hideous.

Dont agree. I enjoy watching but I also love the technical aspects of the sport and the "sweet science" that gets lost in all the highlight reel no hoper madness. If people don't see a knockout by round six they actually feel violated. Ward needs an attitude adjustment not a style change. The ignorant boxing masses are more to blame for Wards present state then Wards style.

for once I do actually agree with ross


wards style is punch on the way in and once he is in he holds/spoils


he rarely punches and then stays in a position to land a few more or throw another combination or whatever


hes like the best in the world at being first to the punch and doesn't need anything else


and I don't think wards style can be compared to mayweathers

[ross]

Its Wards constant negative tactics that have turned people off. He used to think he was Roy Jones till he got dropped and then he turned in to a cross between Hopkins and Ruiz with all the holding.

He also limits his appeal by only fighting in America.

For as poor as some think Bika is, watch the last 2 rounds of that fight bika just takes it to Ward and tries not to let him cling on like a limpet and it works. He has Ward hurt and running!

[erics44]

might sound daft but his approach to his personality or boxing persona isn't very interesting either


for a start son of god makes him sound stoopid


should call himself warrior ward or ass kicking andre or something

[beenKOed]

I like Ward personally and I appreciate the problems he seems to be having with his promoter.
I also understand he wants the big fights, the big paydays, and that the respect he craves is tied to them, but he is going to have to put that aside and just start fighting.
He needs to start taking every fight he can. Ward doesn't have an especially fan friendly style, doesn't talk a lot of trash, doesn't disrespect women or visit night clubs, in other words he is a quiet, Christian family man who is a boxer. If he started fighting 3 times a year he would be getting the attention he wants and, eventually, those big fights, in my opinion.

[IamInuit]

I don't feel bad for him at all but he does suffer from the same disease Rigo does. He's got to technically sound sickness. Odd that Floyd has been making 40 million a fight for more then 5 years suffering from the same illness.

Ward can blame himself for much of his downfall by waiting for everyone to knock on his door. What I don't get is why he has not moved up? Whats he waiting for or rather who. He could break the door down himself by whipping Stevenson or Kovalev. Those could be his Gatti's. Instead he sits and whines and goes on strike.

Floyd throws nice clean crisp punches standing in punching distance. He doesn't rely on throwing an overhand right aimed at going over the opponents shoulder just to lurch in and hold. Floyd is nice to watch. Ward isn't. Ward his hideous.

Dont agree. I enjoy watching but I also love the technical aspects of the sport and the "sweet science" that gets lost in all the highlight reel no hoper madness. If people don't see a knockout by round six they actually feel violated. Ward needs an attitude adjustment not a style change. The ignorant boxing masses are more to blame for Wards present state then Wards style.

for once I do actually agree with ross
wards style is punch on the way in and once he is in he holds/spoils
he rarely punches and then stays in a position to land a few more or throw another combination or whatever
hes like the best in the world at being first to the punch and doesn't need anything else
and I don't think wards style can be compared to mayweathers

Nah you guys are taking things to extremes.
The idea after all is to hit and not get hit
Not stand there in the pocket when that's not your style so Johnny fan base can get his ko fix
Ward is a safety first fighter and his style is a lot like Floyds especially in versatility. Rigo also shares that quality. Its like watching a surgeon. They almost make the opponent look silly and in so doing ruin the fight for that portion of the viewing public better suited to wearing togas. Him and Floyd share all kinds of qualities and subtle nuance. Wards also most likely the best switch hitter in boxing and can even do it on the fly and that's why there were so many bumps in the Kessler fight. Kessler was like a deer in the headlights.

[ruthless rocco]

Ward would embarrass Kovalev. And that isn't a PPV fight. Kovalev doesn't have the name value.

You missed my point. Ward is supposed to be one of the best fighters in the game. Pitting him against a pure KO artist SHOULD be enough to attract an audience. Its Ward that is lacking the star power to make this a PPV fight. Ward is the one who spoils the PPV....

Make a highlight reel of Kovalev's wake of destruction and people will want to watch him fight anyone.
If you make a highlight reel of Ward grabbing and hugging guys and you may be able to play it in a bathhouse.

[Maravilla2012]

Ward is dirty and boring. Period.

[ross]

I don't feel bad for him at all but he does suffer from the same disease Rigo does. He's got to technically sound sickness. Odd that Floyd has been making 40 million a fight for more then 5 years suffering from the same illness.

Ward can blame himself for much of his downfall by waiting for everyone to knock on his door. What I don't get is why he has not moved up? Whats he waiting for or rather who. He could break the door down himself by whipping Stevenson or Kovalev. Those could be his Gatti's. Instead he sits and whines and goes on strike.

Floyd throws nice clean crisp punches standing in punching distance. He doesn't rely on throwing an overhand right aimed at going over the opponents shoulder just to lurch in and hold. Floyd is nice to watch. Ward isn't. Ward his hideous.

Dont agree. I enjoy watching but I also love the technical aspects of the sport and the "sweet science" that gets lost in all the highlight reel no hoper madness. If people don't see a knockout by round six they actually feel violated. Ward needs an attitude adjustment not a style change. The ignorant boxing masses are more to blame for Wards present state then Wards style.

for once I do actually agree with ross
wards style is punch on the way in and once he is in he holds/spoils
he rarely punches and then stays in a position to land a few more or throw another combination or whatever
hes like the best in the world at being first to the punch and doesn't need anything else
and I don't think wards style can be compared to mayweathers

Nah you guys are taking things to extremes.
The idea after all is to hit and not get hit
Not stand there in the pocket when that's not your style so Johnny fan base can get his ko fix
Ward is a safety first fighter and his style is a lot like Floyds especially in versatility. Rigo also shares that quality. Its like watching a surgeon. They almost make the opponent look silly and in so doing ruin the fight for that portion of the viewing public better suited to wearing togas. Him and Floyd share all kinds of qualities and subtle nuance. Wards also most likely the best switch hitter in boxing and can even do it on the fly and that's why there were so many bumps in the Kessler fight. Kessler was like a deer in the headlights.

Bullshit!

If Ward was made to fight by the rules he would look like he did against Bika in the last two rounds.

[ruthless rocco]

Bullshit!

If Ward was made to fight by the rules he would look like he did against Bika in the last two rounds.

Which is why Kovalev would destroy him.

[erics44]

I don't feel bad for him at all but he does suffer from the same disease Rigo does. He's got to technically sound sickness. Odd that Floyd has been making 40 million a fight for more then 5 years suffering from the same illness.

Ward can blame himself for much of his downfall by waiting for everyone to knock on his door. What I don't get is why he has not moved up? Whats he waiting for or rather who. He could break the door down himself by whipping Stevenson or Kovalev. Those could be his Gatti's. Instead he sits and whines and goes on strike.

Floyd throws nice clean crisp punches standing in punching distance. He doesn't rely on throwing an overhand right aimed at going over the opponents shoulder just to lurch in and hold. Floyd is nice to watch. Ward isn't. Ward his hideous.

Dont agree. I enjoy watching but I also love the technical aspects of the sport and the "sweet science" that gets lost in all the highlight reel no hoper madness. If people don't see a knockout by round six they actually feel violated. Ward needs an attitude adjustment not a style change. The ignorant boxing masses are more to blame for Wards present state then Wards style.

for once I do actually agree with ross
wards style is punch on the way in and once he is in he holds/spoils
he rarely punches and then stays in a position to land a few more or throw another combination or whatever
hes like the best in the world at being first to the punch and doesn't need anything else
and I don't think wards style can be compared to mayweathers

The idea after all is to hit and not get hit
Not stand there in the pocket when that's not your style so Johnny fan base can get his ko fix

this is absolutely true


thing is tho, to attract the fans, get the fights and make the money, you have to have something that that is attractive to the fans


I personally think ward lacks that attraction in the ring and with his persona out of the ring, I think he deserves a break but I think there needs to be a rethink in his camp/promotion


he could be a superstar with a few tweaks


and like I say I think dropping the son of god name would be a massive start

[IamInuit]

I don't feel bad for him at all but he does suffer from the same disease Rigo does. He's got to technically sound sickness. Odd that Floyd has been making 40 million a fight for more then 5 years suffering from the same illness.

Ward can blame himself for much of his downfall by waiting for everyone to knock on his door. What I don't get is why he has not moved up? Whats he waiting for or rather who. He could break the door down himself by whipping Stevenson or Kovalev. Those could be his Gatti's. Instead he sits and whines and goes on strike.

Floyd throws nice clean crisp punches standing in punching distance. He doesn't rely on throwing an overhand right aimed at going over the opponents shoulder just to lurch in and hold. Floyd is nice to watch. Ward isn't. Ward his hideous.

Dont agree. I enjoy watching but I also love the technical aspects of the sport and the "sweet science" that gets lost in all the highlight reel no hoper madness. If people don't see a knockout by round six they actually feel violated. Ward needs an attitude adjustment not a style change. The ignorant boxing masses are more to blame for Wards present state then Wards style.

for once I do actually agree with ross
wards style is punch on the way in and once he is in he holds/spoils
he rarely punches and then stays in a position to land a few more or throw another combination or whatever
hes like the best in the world at being first to the punch and doesn't need anything else
and I don't think wards style can be compared to mayweathers

Nah you guys are taking things to extremes.
The idea after all is to hit and not get hit
Not stand there in the pocket when that's not your style so Johnny fan base can get his ko fix
Ward is a safety first fighter and his style is a lot like Floyds especially in versatility. Rigo also shares that quality. Its like watching a surgeon. They almost make the opponent look silly and in so doing ruin the fight for that portion of the viewing public better suited to wearing togas. Him and Floyd share all kinds of qualities and subtle nuance. Wards also most likely the best switch hitter in boxing and can even do it on the fly and that's why there were so many bumps in the Kessler fight. Kessler was like a deer in the headlights.

Bullshit!

If Ward was made to fight by the rules he would look like he did against Bika in the last two rounds.

You don't like him. Fair enough. I don't either but I know a brilliant technician when I see one.

[IamInuit]

The idea after all is to hit and not get hit
Not stand there in the pocket when that's not your style so Johnny fan base can get his ko fix

this is absolutely true
thing is tho, to attract the fans, get the fights and make the money, you have to have something that that is attractive to the fans
I personally think ward lacks that attraction in the ring and with his persona out of the ring, I think he deserves a break but I think there needs to be a rethink in his camp/promotion
he could be a superstar with a few tweaks
and like I say I think dropping the son of god name would be a massive start

But that's like asking Pep to fight like Saddler or Locche to fight like Jofre. Its not the boxers fault that some fight fans don't understand boxing and also make up the majority of the ppv buying public.Why should he dummy down his abilities to suit them? The two powder puncher defensive wizards I mentioned filled the house every time they fought.

[zhubin]

Ward is my hometown fighter (Oakland). There is no question he is a great technician. BUT...it comes down to what boxing/sports are ultimately about......it's a business. I'm not saying that is a good thing, but it's a reality. Andre doesn't possess a style of fighting that sells tickets...but unfortunately for him...he also does not possess a personality (Floyd) to sell tickets either. And i can tell you from watching his career up close...the guy just doesn't want to promote himself outside of the bay area. He really makes no effort. Maybe he is ok with that. if he isn't...he has to shake things up for himself.

[J_Undisputed]

The issue I take with the theory of the gatti like opponent for ward is why is it onus on the opponent to make ward exciting/entertaining? I'll also argue that Ward had already had an opportunity of this when he ko'd the weight drained and technically flawed dawson. Dawson was in enough of the public's eye and ward looked good enough dropping dawson that he could have fought another name after that and turned it up maximizing his star status.

I have to agree with Ross on this one. The unpalatable style of Ward as well as the fact that he's a primadonna (wants to fight in oakland, only in his weight, wont fight his friend, Direll) stifles any star power he could had. For those making the mayweather comparisons. Floyd offering to fight maidana the way he did, was was stupid but it made the fight more interesting for the casual fans, as does him acting like an a$$ outside the ring... but Floyds ability to stand in front of an opponents and use head movement and shoulder rolls to frustrate them while they flail away still has one important thing over both Rigo and ward. It doesn't stop the action. The hug and slug style that ward uses where he lands a lead shot, ties you up and then hits you on the break not only stifles his own offense with the clinch, but it stifles the opponents too which creates lulls in the action. As does rigo's out running opponents by a country mile for the majority of a round and then sticking and landing sharp punches without following up (like a miniature direll). There are no punches being thrown, no offensive showcase and no defensive showcase when fighters are clinched and smothered or so far away from each other that they're out of range. Being aggressively offensive will win you fans and PPV dates but probably shorten your career. Being aggressively defensive tends to put you in the chris byrd or winky wright category. You'll beat some people by playing the spoiler, and extend your career, but noone wants to watch you. However he's going to complain about lack of opponents and money, step up or step out.