Wow! Andre Ward retires!

[mikeeod]

Again, people on here are confusing their opinions regarding mythical match ups with historical ranking and who accomplished more. Roy may have been able to beat anyone who ever fought at 168, as may Joe C. That being said, Ward was more impressive and beat better competition at 168, completely cleaning out the division prior to moving up, which neither Joe nor Roy ever did (Joe partially unified at least). I will miss Andre Ward, and you can see how great of a fighter, and good of a man he is by how so many of his peers are reacting/speaking out after his retirement.

Good post, and I only brought up the greats in those divisions because at the end of a top fighter's career you want to think about obviously what was, but also the what if's the imagine if ______ scenarios....it just adds another level to discuss. I certainly didn't mean to side track conversation and just gloss over Andre Ward's achievements of which there are many.


I think as much as Andre Ward accomplished, as talented as he showed himself to be, I think he could conceivably hang with anyone of those fighters. I don't think he'd get blasted out early by anybody for certain, he had RJJ type skill, but a B-Hop mindset and fighting style. His hands were fast, he's very athletic, he's got a bit of pop not so much that it's really eye catching, but it was certainly enough to take out an opponent.



So what next for Andre Ward? Does he become a commentator or does he do something different?

Wasn't addressing you with that post, more just a generic/non-specific post. I like hypothetical match ups, was just distinguishing that people shouldn't get wrapped around the "who would win" argument and forget about the "who accomplished more" argument. I agree with your observations about the RJJ/BHOP blend of skill/mindset.

Andre is VERY talented, intelligent, and articulate, so really the sky is the limit for him. With his mindset and will to succeed, anything he sets his mind to is possible and he will be successful in whatever he chooses. I see him commentating and acting initially, and think he will go on to be a great steward of the sport. BHOP has been my favorite fighter since his draw with Segundo Mercado, but for some reason, I'm more affected watching Ward retire than I was watching Hop retire.

[El Kabong]

Again, people on here are confusing their opinions regarding mythical match ups with historical ranking and who accomplished more. Roy may have been able to beat anyone who ever fought at 168, as may Joe C. That being said, Ward was more impressive and beat better competition at 168, completely cleaning out the division prior to moving up, which neither Joe nor Roy ever did (Joe partially unified at least). I will miss Andre Ward, and you can see how great of a fighter, and good of a man he is by how so many of his peers are reacting/speaking out after his retirement.

Good post, and I only brought up the greats in those divisions because at the end of a top fighter's career you want to think about obviously what was, but also the what if's the imagine if ______ scenarios....it just adds another level to discuss. I certainly didn't mean to side track conversation and just gloss over Andre Ward's achievements of which there are many.


I think as much as Andre Ward accomplished, as talented as he showed himself to be, I think he could conceivably hang with anyone of those fighters. I don't think he'd get blasted out early by anybody for certain, he had RJJ type skill, but a B-Hop mindset and fighting style. His hands were fast, he's very athletic, he's got a bit of pop not so much that it's really eye catching, but it was certainly enough to take out an opponent.



So what next for Andre Ward? Does he become a commentator or does he do something different?

Wasn't addressing you with that post, more just a generic/non-specific post. I like hypothetical match ups, was just distinguishing that people shouldn't get wrapped around the "who would win" argument and forget about the "who accomplished more" argument. I agree with your observations about the RJJ/BHOP blend of skill/mindset.

Andre is VERY talented, intelligent, and articulate, so really the sky is the limit for him. With his mindset and will to succeed, anything he sets his mind to is possible and he will be successful in whatever he chooses. I see him commentating and acting initially, and think he will go on to be a great steward of the sport. BHOP has been my favorite fighter since his draw with Segundo Mercado, but for some reason, I'm more affected watching Ward retire than I was watching Hop retire.

I was just posting to clarify no worries man