Quote Originally Posted by J_Undisputed View Post
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 start 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 roles 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.
The problem lies in Ward's attitude. "If I beat Kovalev, then what?" In beating Kovalev, Ward would have moved up in weight and taken on a guy who is thrashing everyone he fights. Kovalev is arguably the most violent and imposing fighter in Ward's weight range. By beating him Ward would be showing that he's interested in furthering his career by challenging himself and striving to take on the best possible opposition. People may even respect him if he shows more talent than just hugging.

Also, Kovalev could in theory be Ward's Gatti. He's a very rough around the edges KO fighter that should be easily beat by a superior boxer like Ward.

Ward should take another champion hugger as an example. Wlad has no opposition. He's better than every other heavyweight, and has been for years. But he keeps fighting and he keeps destroying. He's beat so many shitty guys so convincingly for so many years that some people now believe he's possibly an ATG. Even tho most people hate Wlad's style just like they hate Ward's he's somehow got respect and history will be kind to him because his record is going to look like the record of a great fighter...and at least he bothered to fight and not just sit around saying things like "Yeah I could fight that guy...but then what?"