Andre Ward- better than Floyd Mayweather?

[mikeeod]

The equal point in Floyd's career is the Ricky Hatton fight(fall of 30 years with similar birthdays)

By then Floyd was a 4 division champion with at least 4 HOFers on his resume and many others that would be considered if anyone on Wards resume is worthy of consideration.

Andre Ward would tell you this topic is absurd.

Who were the 4 HOFers? Oscar was one, but you have to admit he was WELL past his prime. Do you mean Gatti and Chico?? Chico was a great win, but even Floyd admitted Gatti was a C fighter. Anyways, Floyd has fought better competition overall, as he is the biggest name in the sport. That being said, at similar points in their careers I feel that Ward has beaten better competition. I don't think he is as gifted as Floyd, I think both are equally skilled, but I feel that Ward is a little tougher, and little more willing to go to war. There is no comparison between the two at this point, because after Hatton Floyd beat some good competition. The worst thing for Ward is that I don't see anyone for him to challenge himself against. Maybe if Kov or Stevenson unify and prove to be legit and GGG keeps winning and moves up. Other than that, there just isn't the competition at 168-175, basically because he has beaten everyone.

And you're leaving out Hatton. There are others that deserve consideration as well in JLC x2, Genaro Hernandez, to me Jesus Chavez is on par with Wards opponents and what about Carlos Hernandez, and Carlos Rios, Zab Judah, Angel Manfredy, Carlos Gerena, Gregarious Vargas. You want to dismiss Sharmba and that's fine he wasn't great and he was diminished but he was a good fighter and Baldy for all the crap we give him was a good fighter at the time as well. I could list at least 4 more fighters better than Allen Green but he props Ward up? I'm sorry man but that's lunacy

Ron, check it out. We are comparing Floyd vs. Ward at similar stages of their careers. The Hatton fight took place during Floyd's 11th year (pretty much 12th year) as he turned pro in 1996 and that fight happened late December of 2007 (2007-1996=11 years). Hatton is one of his more impressive wins, for sure, but he isn't a HOF fighter in my opinion, is he one in yours? The reason I included Green in that line up is because he was in the Super 6 and was a top ten ranked 168 pounder. I don't view that as one of Ward's better wins though, so I will leave him out of future points. Now, breaking down quality of opposition:
Floyd fought (giving you the extra year to include Hatton): Hatton (undefeated, lineal champ, P4P, good win), Chico (undefeated, P4P, good win) and JLC (lineal 135lb champ, good win). Those 3 stand out as his best wins and though none of them are HOF material in my opinion, he was still impressive in beating them. Next you have guys like Carlos Baldomir (lineal 147, solid win), Zab Judah (prior champ, naturally talented, decent win). Next come the guys like Manfredy (solid fighter), Jesus Chavez (tough guy, titlist), Famoso Hernandez (solid fighter), Genaro Hernandez (good fighter, but at the end of his career and talking retirement prior to the fight), and Vargas (decent).

Ward fought: Froch (multiple time titlist who has beaten better competition in Bute, Pascal, Kessler, Groves, Dirrel...etc. than Hatton or Chico did), Kessler (who was the #1 ranked guy at the weight and the favorite to win the tournament) Dawson (who beat Hop, Tarver and Glenn Johnson when they were all still viable fighters and was lineal champ at 175. I can see your point for favoring Floyd's three biggest wins, but I can also see the other side and ranking Ward's wins as more impressive.

Next level down are: Arthur Abraham (multiple weight titlist who had been outclassed vs. Dirrel and Froch), Pascal (undefeated went on to become lineal champ), Sakio Bika (titlist and awkward fighter). Some similarities here between Floyd and Ward's opponents. Strong, physically imposing challengers in Bika and Baldy (I give the edge to Bika because he was more athletic and unorthodox). Formidable ex-titlist, knockout threats who had seen better days in Abraham and Judah (I give Judah the edge because of his natural talent, although Abraham kept his composure better over 12 rounds). Pascal is a tough guy to fight, and in my opinion a better version of Judah, since he doesn't fall apart after 4 rounds. Both guys were a little inconsistent at times, however.

Final level for Ward is guys like Glenn Johnson, an old warhorse who wasn't as effective at 168 (but similar match up to Genaro Hernandez). Alan Green who could punch and was a decent boxer skillwise but fell apart at the elite level (similar to Famoso Hernandez and Jesus Chavez who weren't exactly world beaters). Edison Miranda who was a limited puncher (and not as impressive as Manfredy and Vargas).

After breaking it down and looking at the different levels of fighters, I tend to agree that Floyd fought and beat more quality guys at a similar stage of his career. That being said, I can see a case for Ward beating more higher level fighters than Floyd at the same stage (Dawson > Chico, Froch > Castillo...etc.). Both are extremely skilled fighters and I think it comes down to what you prefer in a fighter as to which guy you think is better. If you are comparing them straight up at this moment though, I have to agree that it isn't even a debate as Floyd has beaten much more and tougher competition. I'm hoping that Ward will be like Hop was and be hard headed and frustrating and then start making nothing but big fights once he got his business right.