Im on a mission. For a 32-year-old world champion and the last American male boxer to win a gold medal at the Olympics back in 2004, youd expect at least a few barrels of ink had been spilled connecting the dots of his biography. If he wins as expected, Ward is slated to fight Russian light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev in Las Vegas on Nov. 19, in what many believe could be professional boxings best fight in well over a decade. Every day, Ward said. According to the NSAC, The T-Mobile Arena was put on hold for June 17, 2017, on HBO PPV. Andre Ward, after an extended layoff, promotional issues and three pedestrian comeback fights, is finally ready to face an elite opponent again. Froch also praised Ward in winning the tournament, "Fair credit to Andre Ward. He uses and mixes elements of certain styles depending on the situation in front of him. His memoir, The Domino Diaries, was short-listed for the PEN/ESPN Award for Literary Sports Writing and was a Boston Globe Best of 2015. I cramped up, and I got too tense." With the grace of God I did.. He lost that fight in a judges decision that like the other four he playfully questions the legitimacy of to this day. Brin-Jonathan Butler has had his work published in ESPN The Magazine, Esquire, Harper's, The Paris Review, Salon, and Vice. "[42], Ward was scheduled to defend his super middleweight titles against former unified middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik on January 26, 2013, at the Galen Center in Los Angeles. The scores were 116112, 119109, and 119109 for Ward. Now that it's over with, I'm ecstatic I was able to defend this belt one time. The dip could have been due to 21 million tuning in to the Olympics on NBC. Hed follow alongside me in his truck. Hed be fired up and then be a zombie. When Ward was 12, he found a needle in his fathers room and naively brought it to him asking where it might have come from. Though the 30-year-old gamely fought on, the knockout he needed to win never appeared remotely likely and he looked a spent man by the end as he picked up the second loss of his 31-fight pro career. Staying in control, its abundantly apparent, is one of the fundamental obsessions of his life. If I cannot give my family, my team, and the fans everything that I have, then I should no longer be fighting. [96], In front of 10,592, the fight ended with controversy in the 8th round with a victory for Ward. The three judges scored the bout 120108, 118110, and 118111. When Frank Ward took his nine-year-old son, Andre, to a boxing gym, he couldn't possibly have known that the youngster would blossom into one of the top amateur and professional fighters in the sport. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. But then I tried for the knockout, and I couldn't do it. Then again, all of boxings greats who came before Ward had the same plan. "[29], Advancing to the final of the Super Six, Ward fought WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch (28-1, 20 KOs) in front of 5,626 at Boardwalk Hall on December 17, 2011. Then, in the tenth round, Ward dropped Dawson to a knee after a solid combination, which prompted referee Steve Smoger to stop the fight after Dawson could not continue. Ward's amateur career began in 1994. Dave was the only person who refused to smile. I easily could have been one of those guys people say, He could have been something. I remember the day he died very clearly. link to Andre Ward On 10 Habits To Avoid To Succeed In Boxing, link to How To Box Like Andre Ward | Boxing Style Analysis, These Are the Best Muay Thai Styles to Knockout an Opponent, Andre Ward Boxing Style A True Pugilist | Full Breakdown (https://youtu.be/MEFkGSCqfFI), Andre Wards 10 habits to bad avoid in boxing. Retained NABF and NABO super middleweight titles. . Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Interest-Based Ads | EU Privacy Rights | Cookie Policy | Manage Preferences. That night is the first game of the Western Conference Finals for the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. This is the first time in his life hes been inside the ring with somebody where he couldnt do exactly what he wanted to, Lopez said. Really down. They dont tell you that really its everyone else around you that changes. Ward finished his amateur career with a record of 115 wins and 5 losses.[6]. Ward once described his style as formless and is no doubt inspired by what Bruce Lee said, Be shapeless, formless, like water. You can watch my video version or continue reading below:if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'myboxinglife_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-myboxinglife_com-medrectangle-4-0');https://youtu.be/MEFkGSCqfFIVideo cant be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Andre Ward Boxing Style A True Pugilist | Full Breakdown (https://youtu.be/MEFkGSCqfFI). This showed in round 7 when Brand's right eye suddenly started to swollen up. Email Support. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'myboxinglife_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_9',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-myboxinglife_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Some of the greats such as Floyd and or more recently Canelo Alvarez have always been more calculated when they throw punches and would always rather get much cleaner damaging shots. Ward then would eventually move up to Light heavyweight after getting through some legal issues and surgery. [81] Promoter Eddie Hearn added that Kovalev lacked a sense of urgency after the halfway point. At the time of stoppage, two judges had Ward ahead 6766, whilst the third judge had it 6865 in favor of Kovalev. From Smith's perspective, he sees a hand obstructing his path to the target, which can be very discouraging when he wants to initiate offense. Andre Ward H.O.F. Ive never talked about my story before, Ward said. The Las Vegas Sun confirmed the bout will take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. And then would use intelligent arm control when on the inside to stop his opponents from throwing uppercuts. I took the fight to him and closed the show. [71] Ward spoke to HBO in the post fight interview about fighting Kovalev next saying: "I'm excited, I'm looking forward to it. When asked about the potential mega fight against Kovalev, Ward said, "It's never a problem. He elevated in California, anf the husband elevated to get great friend with boxer Andre Dirrell while he was just 17. Whether that be to keep at range from a power puncher and not let them be able to get off their shots to frustrate them. I respect him as a champion. There was nobody out there like him.. Kovalev is a defining moment, Ward said softly. Ward showed he had an inside game as well as an outside game. This type of defense is typically used before halftime or the last play of the game. Its just that they like something more than mere showiness. In the first two rounds, Ward and Dawson felt each other out, with neither fighter having much success, though Dawson was able to land a few counter right hooks as Ward lunged inside. 30 Day Exchange. . Ward would also mix up the jab by attacking the stomach or solar plexus. When the pandemic forced court closures, Ward decided to make the leap to full-time . The fight went to the scorecards and Ward was far ahead by scores of 9892, 9892, and 9793 at the time of the stoppage. But he went on to fight 119 times in all as an amateur and lost only four more bouts. I was better, and he was better this fight. Some people, though certainly not all, like fighters who have a degree of maturity about them. I didnt feel like I had to. Not enough, however, that the ESPN analyst is convinced that the hard-hitting Nigerian can compete with the more formidable. Some may find that lack of showmanship boring. Standing shirtless in Superman emblazoned trunks, Dave was sneering at Ward. Ward originally claimed the belt in November 2009 with a victory over long-time champion Mikkel Kessler in his opening fight of the Super Six tournament. From beginners to champions, learning defense takes time. I know Im very guarded. Statistically, I shouldnt have made it out.. His aunt talked about Andres grandfather being a World War II veteran and the Guess Whos Coming To Dinner moment when Frank brought his African-American wife to the family dinner table. I was always the kid in that window just wondering when my mom was coming, he said. Mr. Jones. Ive taken a lot of punishment. He would simply use his footwork, to get out of range by moving back slightly before pivoting off to right in most cases. Yet others will actually be happy to see a well known individual acting over the age of seventeen. This Man DOMINATED Boxing's TOUGHEST Tournament | Andre Ward Motivedia - Boxing 1.09M subscribers 646K views 4 months ago A warrior who would push every boundary and dig into every reserve to. All three judges scored the fight lop-sided 120108 for Ward, who said post-fight of his win, "This means a lot to me. He looked good. But he didnt die with a needle in his arm, Ward quickly added. On defense, this means being okay with the offense completing short passes over the middle because it keeps the clock running. Most notable of course was his last two fights against Sergey Kovalev. A replay was shown on HBO prior to the LomachenkoWalters title fight, which averaged 834,000 viewers. As an amateur boxer, Ward won the light heavyweight gold medal at the 2004 Olympics and turned professional later that year. For his counter punching, it was more used with opponents who rushed in because of frustration that would be caught by him. Frank Ward told his son hed found it in the street and didnt want anyone to find it. On offense, that means running the football so the clock doesn't stop. Abraham entered having lost two of his previous three bouts. So to counteract that and cause damage he would get up on the inside and use this as an opportunity to beat up on them when up close and would neutralize the effectiveness of their own punches. [Update: Ward easily beat Brand in a unanimous decision.]. En route to a wide unanimous decision victory, Ward dropped Barrera to the canvas in the third round as he turned a left hook while on the ropes. But I want people to know what Ive come through and overcome because maybe that can inspire somebody.. I lost the fight, fair and square. However, Wards footwork was exceptional at controlling his opponent. Added that Kovalev lacked a sense of urgency after the halfway point, judges! Stop his opponents from throwing uppercuts it in the street and didnt want anyone find! All of boxings greats who came before Ward had the same plan career a... Needle in his arm, Ward decided to make the leap to full-time attacking the or. I want people to know what ive come through and overcome because maybe can... Abundantly apparent, is one of the Western Conference Finals for the knockout, and for. Was able to defend this belt one time was exceptional at controlling his opponent Privacy! 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