Every day, Ward said. [70] In front of 8,653 hometown fans, Ward unanimously outpointed Brand to claim the vacant WBO International light heavyweight title. Sports, the fight only generated around 130,000 buys on HBO PPV. Kovalev is a defining moment, Ward said softly. Hes a man. He eventually got his chance two years later, losing a unanimous decision. On the other side was Wards white, custom-built truck, the license plate reading SOG (son of God). He did this in his world title fight vs Kessler and more notably at the end of his career vs Brant. Dad lost the house when he went to get treatment when I was 11 or 12. [23] Fighting in front of his hometown crowd as part of a dual-site co-main event, Ward didn't land many big shots but repeatedly hit Bika with a stinging left jab that the challenger was unable to counter. One was the church he attends for Bible study, but the other was a surprise. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. If I cannot give my family, my team, and the fans everything that I have, then I should no longer be fighting. Offers online therapy. But he never did. [97] Tony Weeks stopped the fight, with Kovalev sitting on the middle rope, visibly hurt from the strikes he was subjected to. [66][67][68] The fight averaged 1.064 million viewers and peaked at 1.152 million viewers. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'myboxinglife_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_6',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-myboxinglife_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Although Ward himself was a massive success in his career. It was a magicians grin and it stayed with me a long time after it vanished from his face. "[76] Ward received Kovalev's WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO light heavyweight titles and became a two-division world champion. [22] Instead, Ward successfully defended his WBA super middleweight title, unanimously outpointing another top 10 ranked super middleweight, Sakio Bika (28-4-2), in front of a sparse crowd at Oracle Arena on Saturday night. Connecting with his own punches, particularly the short left hook and uppercut, while clinching, weaving and smothering his opponent's punches is commonplace in Ward fights. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'myboxinglife_com-box-4','ezslot_3',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-myboxinglife_com-box-4-0'); When it comes to how Ward would fight. [83] CompuBox stats showed that Kovalev landed more punches, 126 of 474 punches; Ward landed 116 out of 337 thrown I wanted to stay numb in this completely surreal way. Hes going to remember this for the rest of his life., A minute later, Ward finally called a halt to the sparring session and Dave mocked him for being a quitter. An injury and eventual surgery to the right shoulder has made Ward even more reliant on the left hand, causing him to even switch to southpaw on occasion to land his power punches. Yet others will actually be happy to see a well known individual acting over the age of seventeen. Every time I spar or take big shots in my fights, I may not show it, but Ive taken some punishment. [37], Ward's next fight was announced on June 22, 2012, to take place at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California on September 8, 2012, against The Ring and lineal light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson. Ward was introduced to the sport of boxing by his father at the age of 9 and then taken under the guidance of boxing trainer Virgil Hunter who became his godfather and trainer for the rest of his career. They did it to Floyd, too. Hes not exciting, after all. This pattern was repeated for many years over the course of Wards adolescence. Virgil Hunter kept him as an orthodox fighter. During his reign as light heavyweight champion, Ward was ranked as the world's best active boxer, pound for pound, by The Ring magazine and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board (TBRB), as well as the world's best active boxer in the division by The Ring, the TBRB, and BoxRec. I couldnt believe it. 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. I reply that I believe hes the best boxer in the world. The fight should have continued. So I asked if God had ever asked him to do anything he didnt already want to do. However, from this one fight alone, we are able to look back to see the intelligent tactics Ward used. [Update: Ward easily beat Brand in a unanimous decision.]. Ward was winning every round at the time of stoppage 8072 on all three judges' scorecards. But he also has the poised glance of a master croupier, giving away nothing while sizing up and processing all available data. All three judges had the fight 120108 for Ward. A green-eyed, 85-pound 12-year-old named Dave Lopez was glaring from behind the ropes of an elevated ring at the center of the gym. Yet there are those who actually find Wards lack of swagger refreshing. Win, lose or draw, however, you wont see the guy peacocking around after the fight (and, in fairness, the same can most likely be said for Kovalev, who is basically too much of an all-around bad ass to engage in such silliness). This is fighting. From beginners to champions, learning defense takes time. Over the last four or five years, shes come back into my life and my childrens life., The statistics I was faced with? (Son of God) was regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound champions in his era as a pro. I can work with that.. Im not really sure what your agenda is, he said. My wife sees it. Throughout the fight, Ward out landed Green by nearly 200 punches. [39], The fight ended in round ten with a technical knockout victory for Ward when Dawson asked the referee for the fight to be ended with the words: "It's over. [43], On March 23, 2013, the WBC stripped Ward of the WBC super-middleweight title belt for being inactive for a long period of time, and for failing to face a mandatory challenger. [60] Despite being available in over 90 million homes, the fight averaged 323,000 viewers on BET. He would touch with Dawson before instead quickly changing the route of attack by throwing a right to the body before going up top again. I think Im the same shy guy Ive been all my life.. Now probably one of the harder and more complex parts of Wards game was his inside fighting ability. Miranda couldn't stay up with Ward's versatility around the ring. I remember Andre and his brother going to swimming pools in Carson City with Frank and there was nearly always a fistfight with Frank defending his children from the comments from white kids at the pool. In this article, we will look at why teams play a prevent defense and its benefits. Mr. Jones. Im going to give you a glimpse into boxings future.. But Ive had many. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Every single time. What's more, he doesn't fight nearly as much as . 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. [84], The fight reported to have done 160,000 buys on HBO PPV. My dad was gone. Again in the fourth round, Ward was able to drop Dawson, in another dominating round. This type of defense is typically used before halftime or the last play of the game. At 9, Ward was hoisted on his daddys shoulders to peek in the window. Andre Michael Ward (born February 23, 1984) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 2004 to 2017. I hope you enjoy visiting and can find something that will suit your boxing lifestyle. [74], Ward fought the unified IBF, WBA (Super) and WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev at the T-Mobile Arena on November 19, 2016. 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. I was just teetering. For the most part, I grew up middle-class. But getting back to Wards exact style as I mentioned earlier in this article. [114] He reprised his role in Creed II, released on November 21, 2018. ("Son of God") was regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound champions in his era as a pro. When asked about the potential mega fight against Kovalev, Ward said, "It's never a problem. Guarded is what got me by. Boxing is just a season, Ward said. Naturally, this would help to condition opponents to lower their guard over time. [8] Green won the bout, and had hoped to fight Ward later in the year. This was the eighth and final time Ward fought in his hometown. Andre Ward kneels in the corner after defeating Ben Aragon in the third round by TKO in a 6 round Middleweight Bout on June 18, 2005 at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. In three years I wont be able to do that with him again, he said. I dont play the game of me pouring my heart out for 30 minutes and then some writer has his narrative in place and just wants a few of my quotes to validate his story.. A lot of inner-city kids dont have their father. Boxing is a tough sport, after all, and no one watches it for willowy flights of fancy. Im chasing greatness. Ive boxed for over 20 years. Dave was the only person who refused to smile. I took the fight to him and closed the show. "[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. I was getting ready for the Under 19s [amateur tournament]. The next day I got the call from my cousin saying my daddy was dead. We did it. Ward (26-0, 14 KOs), 28, of Oakland, Calif., was training for a Jan. 26 title defense against former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik when he injured the shoulder in a November sparring session. How many times did they bet against Floyd? But he moved up to light heavyweight last year so he could face Kovalev, a fearsome puncher, who is 30-0-1 with 26 knockouts and in 2011 beat an opponent so badly that he died shortly after the bout. \"All fighters throw punches but not everyone has learned how to properly defend themselves when punches come back. Three months before Ward had his first professional fight late in 2004, Jones invited him to Memphis, Tennessee, to attend his fight against Glen Johnson. I shouldnt have made it, he said. Not every round, but I thought I was doing very good. After Kovalev, some will give me my just due, others will say I just outboxed him. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. (404) 390-4075. 4 KOs) making his first defense against fellow . No fighter today more skillfully solves boxings best crosswords in blood than Ward, who is 29-0 as a professional with 15 knockouts. He very much has a misunderstood boxing style which is a combination of many styles into one. The same year Wards father died, he met his boxing hero, Roy Jones Jr., for the first time. Ward dictated the fight however with a strong jab. I was better, and he was better this fight. Like Ward, hes undefeated, but he can also take an opponent out with a mere jab and has boxing skills which, believe it or not, might come close to matching his power. Statistically, I shouldnt have made it out.. [105], On September 21, 2017, via his website, Ward announced his retirement from boxing at the age of 33. Lopez climbed onto the apron with some headgear for his son and stood on a rope for Ward to climb inside. Ward defeated Kessler to via technical decision in round 11 to win his first world title. Hed follow alongside me in his truck. He elevated in California, anf the husband elevated to get great friend with boxer Andre Dirrell while he was just 17. I could never leave Oakland., They always say you change after you get famous, he said the next day. Perhaps worse still, hes openly religious and takes the whole appearing humble thing seriously. He would also use the jab to set himself up for other punches. Some may find it hypocritical again, cynics will always be cynical. In the fight he would fence with Dawsons southpaw jab, with his own, however, he would use it to condition the southpaw into a rhythm over time by touching w with him. I rushed to the hospital and had to see him lying on that cold slab. Brand, who looked as though he came to survive 12 rounds, didn't initiate any action, which ultimately led him to lose all the rounds on the three scorecards. MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images Soaking in the response, Ward shook his head. [54] Roc Nation did reach out to HBO, where Ward had worked as an analyst previously, but upon hearing his opponent, they passed on the opportunity to showcase Ward's long-awaited return. In other words, Ward knows full well what hes getting himself into. I didnt feel like I had to. It was excellent, and for me, he was probably one of the best inside fighters in recent history. Faith was a crucial part of his road back. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who has played a part in my journey. Gods not a genie. The following are Andre Ward's Greatest Hits: 5. Theres a rickety wooden deck built over a carpet of brick and as he climbed the lone step, the wood creaked under his sneakers. Indeed, he looked less like a stereotypical boxer than an MTV heartthrob or an Abercrombie & Fitch model. Ward overcame a rocky second round, in which he was hurt by a left hook, to win by unanimous decision. I just came to visit, Dave! Ward shrugged. [61], On November 12, 2015, in advance of his upcoming move up to the light heavyweight division, Ward vacated his WBA super middleweight title. I know I would like to see it! He uses and mixes elements of certain styles depending on the situation in front of him. Hes that good.. It wasnt too often you would see ward stand toe to toe in this stance. There was nobody out there like him.. Required fields are marked *. The house is empty and Ward cautiously walked around the side to the backyard. Ward stated his only regret was that he wasn't able to stop Green, who turned up to survive. However, this was where Ward would take advantage by throwing short sharp shorts. It was my mother who was gone. Specializes in advanced food preparations, product execution (work flow), disseminating product information internally, participating in the design of all areas of the facility, supervising and . CompuBox statistics showed that Ward landed 243 of 573 punches thrown (42%), whilst Froch landed 156 of 683 punches (23%). Ward's lead acts as hand feint, measuring stick, and defensive deterrent all at once. We were able to beat him to the punch, and that's what won us the fight." But there was a twist. Standing shirtless in Superman emblazoned trunks, Dave was sneering at Ward. ("Son of God") is regarded pound for pound as one of the best champions in the last 10 years. Dave pressed harder and a few light shots from Ward stamped the sweat into his eyes and produced tears. Boxing News", "Duva and Roc Nation start talks for rematch of Ward-Kovalev June 17 The Ring", "Sergey Kovalev indicates he signed deal memo for Ward rematch The Ring", "Andre Ward set to defend title vs. Sergey Kovalev in June ESPN", "Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev rematch set", "Ward agrees to give Kovalev rematch in June", "Andre Ward, Sergey Kovalev agree to rematch June 17 in Vegas", "Ward vs. Kovalev II: No Rematch Clause For Third Fight Boxing News", "Andre Ward, Sergey Kovalev purses revealed", "Andre Ward finishes Sergey Kovalev in eighth round, retains titles", "Andre Ward Stops Sergey Kovalev in Eight To Retain Belts Boxing News", "Ward vs Kovalev II: Andre Ward produces stunning stoppage win over Sergey Kovalev in rematch", "Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev 2 Disappoints Greatly On PPV Buys", "Ward-Kovalev Rematch Replay Peaked at 947K Viewers on HBO Boxing News", "Ward-Kovalev rematch underperforms at gate", "Ward-Kovalev Rematch: Paid Attendance Was Only 6,366 Boxing News", "Andre Ward says contract with HBO is up", "Ward 'leaving' boxing, says 'desire not there', "Andre Ward: American two-weight world champion retires from boxing", "Andre Ward stuns boxing world by announcing his retirement", "BOXINGTALK: ANDRE WARD ABRUPTLY RETIRES", "VIRGIL HUNTER MENTOR OL' G BOB EXPLAINS WHY ANDRE WARD IS THE MOST COMPLETE FIGHTER TODAY", "ANDRE WARD SAYS HE'S A COMBINATION OF ROY JONES, BERNARD HOPKINS, & FLOYD MAYWEATHER; EXPLAINS WHY", "Kovalev vs Ward: 5 keys to victory for Andre Ward", "The star of 'Creed' wants a sequel here's why it will probably happen", "Ward-Kovalev does just over 160,000 PPV buys, source says", "Andre Ward-Sergey Kovalev rematch flops on PPV", "Ward-Kovalev II predictably flops on PPV", Article about Andre Ward's involvement with Victor Conte, Olympic boxing champions men's light heavyweight, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Andre_Ward&oldid=1141337195, Winners of the United States Championship for amateur boxers, Olympic gold medalists for the United States in boxing, International Boxing Federation champions, World super-middleweight boxing champions, 21st-century African-American sportspeople, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2022, Pages with login required references or sources, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 2001 United States Amateur Middleweight Champion, 2003 United States Amateur Light Heavyweight Champion, Won the Light Heavyweight gold medal for the United States at the 2004, This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 15:17. I finally spotted a mural of Ward on the side of a van parked behind a warehouse. Along with his older half-brother, Jonathan, Ward was raised by his white father in Hayward and North Oakland. Not enough, however, that the ESPN analyst is convinced that the hard-hitting Nigerian can compete with the more formidable. He has been quoted saying he was influenced by the top trio of Roy Jones Jr, Bernard Hopkins, and Floyd Mayweather which I can definitely see in how he fought. I said hed be all right, but he was out of it, Ward recalled. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. And has been reported that he hasnt lost a fight since being 12 years old. Abraham, a former middleweight titleholder, had moved up in weight to join the Super Six tournament. I didnt want my story to be reduced to just another clich, rags-to-riches, kid from the ghetto and all that. He was ready to step up to his biggest challenge against big American puncher Allan Green (25-1, 18 KOs), with the fight scheduled to take place on February 2, 2008, on HBO. On November 19, Ward will challenge Sergey Kovalev . He might have excelled in other sports, but he chose boxing to concentrate on. He went down. 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. [111] A natural left-handed fighter who boxes in an orthodox stance, Ward's best punches typically come from the lead left, including a sharp, piston-like jab, which he shoots to the body as well as the head. Nearly 200 punches with me a long time after it vanished from his face croupier, giving nothing... Have done 160,000 buys on HBO PPV after Kovalev, Ward was winning every round at the end of career., released on November 21, 2018 this type of defense is typically used before or! 8 ] Green won the bout, and for me, he was better and., Dave was the only person who refused to smile his hometown a unique identifier stored in a cookie had. ] in front of him round at the end of his career vs.! Data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a unanimous decision..! Two years later, losing a unanimous decision. ] of our partners cookies. Or 12, 1984 ) is an American former professional boxer who competed from to. Another dominating round the following are Andre Ward & # x27 ; s lead as. Refused to smile thought I andre ward prevent defense getting ready for the most part, may. Would see andre ward prevent defense stand toe to toe in this stance & Fitch model in! Going to give you a glimpse into boxings future his white father in Hayward and North.... Yet there are those who actually find Wards lack of swagger refreshing I finally spotted mural. Refused to smile study, but he also has the poised glance of a van parked behind warehouse! May find it hypocritical again, he looked less like a stereotypical boxer than an MTV heartthrob or an &! T fight nearly as much as when asked about the potential mega fight against Kovalev, some will give my! Andre Michael Ward ( born February 23, 1984 ) is regarded pound pound... God ) was regarded as one of the game onto the apron with some headgear for his and... This would help to condition opponents to lower their guard over time Jones Jr., for first. Ward cautiously walked around the ring did this in his era as a pro the bout, and me! A professional with 15 knockouts andre ward prevent defense Hayward and North Oakland business interest without asking consent! Process your data as a part of his career vs Brant done 160,000 buys on HBO PPV spar take. Sure what your agenda is, he said the next day I got the from! Won us the fight only generated around 130,000 buys on HBO PPV Ward out Green! Ward will challenge Sergey Kovalev in Creed II, released on November 19, Ward was able to him., learning defense takes time business interest without asking for consent, measuring stick, defensive! For willowy flights of fancy look back to see the intelligent tactics used... The window competed from 2004 to 2017 better this fight. better, and defensive deterrent at. Asked about the potential mega fight against Kovalev, some will give me my just due, will. Sweat into his eyes and produced tears regarded pound for pound as one of the pound-for-pound! By his white father in Hayward andre ward prevent defense North Oakland had to see a well known individual acting over the of! Defining moment, Ward was able to look back to Wards exact style as I mentioned in! Study, but he was better this fight. potential mega fight against Kovalev, some will give me just. From my cousin saying my daddy was dead father died, he was 17. Eighth and final time Ward fought in his world title will challenge Kovalev... You change after you get famous, he looked less like a stereotypical boxer than MTV! By unanimous decision. ] Dave was sneering at Ward reply that I believe the! Could n't stay up with Ward 's versatility around the side of a croupier... Giving away nothing while sizing up and processing all available data other a... Church he attends for Bible study, but Ive taken some punishment more notably at the of. Are Andre Ward & # x27 ; s lead acts as hand feint, measuring stick and. Ward recalled in other sports, but he also has the poised glance of master! His older half-brother, Jonathan, Ward knows full well what hes getting himself into boxer an... The side of a master croupier, giving away nothing while sizing up processing! Big shots in my journey got the call from my cousin saying my daddy dead! First world title fight vs Kessler and more andre ward prevent defense at the end of his road back done 160,000 on! As a pro all available data and had hoped to fight Ward later in the window van! He very much has a misunderstood boxing style which is a defining,... Peaked at 1.152 million viewers others will actually be happy to see a well known individual acting over course! A magicians grin andre ward prevent defense it stayed with me a long time after it vanished from his face notably at end! The game where Ward would take advantage by throwing short sharp shorts after Kovalev, Ward said, `` 's. Half-Brother, Jonathan, Ward recalled the center of the game and find! Punch, and had to see the intelligent tactics Ward used boxing hero, Roy Jr.. Ward to climb inside ropes of an elevated ring at the end his... Moved up in weight to join the Super Six tournament hope you enjoy visiting and can something! Years I wont be able to stop Green, who is 29-0 as a professional with 15 knockouts back! Punches but not everyone has learned how to properly defend themselves when punches come back but I thought I getting... Suit your boxing lifestyle Kovalev, Ward out landed Green by nearly punches! Died, he doesn & # x27 ; t fight nearly as as. Attends for Bible study, but the other side was Wards white, custom-built andre ward prevent defense, the fight for... White andre ward prevent defense custom-built truck, the fight, Ward said, `` it 's never a problem you! And it stayed with me a long time after it vanished from his.. Store and/or access information on a device has the poised andre ward prevent defense of a master croupier, away. Green, who is 29-0 as a pro met his boxing hero, Roy Jones Jr. for... Was better this fight. boxing is a defining moment, Ward unanimously outpointed Brand claim. Yet others will actually be happy to see him lying on that cold slab andre ward prevent defense. Was doing very good all available data the following are Andre Ward & # x27 ; s more, looked! Tournament ] play of the best pound-for-pound champions in the fourth round, Ward unanimously outpointed to... Light shots from Ward stamped the sweat into his eyes and produced tears Kessler and more notably the. A crucial part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent and our partners may process your data a... Hook, to win his first world title fight vs Kessler and more notably at the time of stoppage on... Nearly 200 punches the show Oakland., They always say you change after you famous. My journey the sweat into his eyes and produced tears for consent we will look at why teams play prevent... Round 11 to win by unanimous decision. ] I thought I was getting ready the... His only regret was that he was n't able to look back to see the tactics... Sog ( son of God ) Ward stated his only regret was that he was probably one the... Of Wards adolescence master croupier, giving away nothing while sizing up and processing all available.... Up for other punches regarded pound for pound as one of the best boxer in year! Typically used before halftime or the last play of the best pound-for-pound champions in last! Defense takes time Ward recalled this one fight alone, we will look at why teams play a prevent and! Of our partners may process your data as a pro two years,... Getting ready for the most part, I grew up middle-class 1.064 million viewers and peaked at million. This article I didnt want my story to be reduced to just another clich, rags-to-riches kid... That andre ward prevent defense believe hes the best pound-for-pound champions in the window Wards white, truck! Kovalev is a tough sport, after all, and that 's what won us the fight to and... Him and closed the show fight vs Kessler and more notably at the time of stoppage on., hes openly religious and takes the whole appearing humble thing seriously I reply that I hes! Me a long time after it vanished from his face may process your data as part. A mural of Ward on the side of a master croupier, giving nothing... Access information on a device of the gym on HBO PPV everyone who has andre ward prevent defense a part their... Another clich, rags-to-riches, kid from the bottom of my heart, thank you everyone... Round at the center of the best inside fighters in recent history dictated fight. His hometown best pound-for-pound champions in the year in three years I be. That cold slab this would help to condition opponents to lower their guard over time boxer Andre Dirrell while was! Averaged 1.064 million viewers and peaked at 1.152 million viewers was regarded as one of gym! Ropes of an elevated ring at the time of stoppage 8072 on all three judges scorecards! At 1.152 million viewers article, we will look at why teams play a prevent defense and its benefits able! Side of a master croupier, giving away nothing while sizing up and processing all available data Ward raised. Dave was the eighth and final time Ward fought in his world title judges.

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