In terms of being in the pocket with more aggressive opponents, this is where we would see Ward you elusive waist movement bending down to his right before either moving out the way or using it as an opportunity to clinch and fight on the inside. The fight should have continued. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. He is a great fighter, and when you fight great fighters, you have to raise your game." Despite the knockdown, Ward went on to win by unanimous decision.[7]. Indeed, he looked less like a stereotypical boxer than an MTV heartthrob or an Abercrombie & Fitch model. It just means Ward doesnt have a desire to exert all his energies exalting his own awesomeness. But at the time, even with the possibility of the Olympics just a few years away, Wards commitment to boxing began to unravel. Super Middle Weight Andre Ward holds a media day workout at Warzone Boxing Club to promote his November 16 fight with Edwin Rodriguez on November 12, 2013 in Rancho Cucamonga, California. In total he landed 178 of 444 total punches thrown (40%). As Ward finished his workout, he offered to drive me around Oakland to the many homes where he lived growing up. Back in 2018 former pound-for-pound star, two-weight world champion, and Hall of Famer, Andre Ward, really caught my eye on Twitter. On defense, this means being okay with the offense completing short passes over the middle because it keeps the clock running. Hell, so did Jack Johnson, for that matter. Sergey Kovalev, he's a great champion." This in turn can help judges swing around in your favor, even if the opponent has thrown more punches. [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 hope you enjoy visiting and can find something that will suit your boxing lifestyle. Your email address will not be published. They dont tell you that really its everyone else around you that changes. Ward dictated the pace for the vast majority of the bout, showcasing good strength and ring generalship against Barrera. It was my mother who was gone. Manage Settings I never had one home where I grew up. [57][58][59] Smith missed weight, coming in at 176.4 lbs and was fined 20% ($45,000) of his $225,000 purse by the California State Athletic Commission, half of which went to Ward and half to the commission. The house is empty and Ward cautiously walked around the side to the backyard. [71] Ward spoke to HBO in the post fight interview about fighting Kovalev next saying: "I'm excited, I'm looking forward to it. But after years of struggle, his mother, Madeline Arvie Taylor, is clean now. He called and asked if he could take the day off because he wasnt feeling well. Now when it came to Wards left lead hand it was in fact his natural stronger hand. Ward lives in Danville, California. Ducktail on the back. Then of course create opportunities up top. Punching a clock.. A right hand from Ward had Kovalev in trouble, which was followed by several body shots, including a low blow. Sports, the fight only generated around 130,000 buys on HBO PPV. Every time I step in a ring to spar with a young fighter trying to prove something or make a name for themselves. 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. After his parents fell to drug abuse, Ward was looked after by his godfather, Virgil Hunter, who became his trainer and remained his trainer for the length of his career. He attributes his self-described "formless" style to years of studying Roy Jones Jr., Bernard Hopkins, and Floyd Mayweather Jr.[112] Ward also makes effective use of the jab to the body while out of punching range. How can he be that good while still being a cipher? By: Sean Crose. The reason for this is he would tend to try to keep his head off centre line and would slip/duck to his right rear side while throwing his left jab helping him to avoid return fire. Theres a strange metaphor at work as you pull a third U-turn, trying to distinguish one anonymous beige cluster of office buildings and warehouses from the others, all moated with nearly vacant parking lots. Sometimes sticking it straight out will help you create the time to move out the way or force your opponent into a punch. There was also the great use of arm control where he would use his arms against the opponent to move out the way. Again in the fourth round, Ward was able to drop Dawson, in another dominating round. [47] The fight started with rough tactics until Jack Reiss made an unprecedented move, penalizing both fighters two points each and warning them that he would end the fight if it did not clean up. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'myboxinglife_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-myboxinglife_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); A lot of fighters only get taught to use their hands first and not their feet and is often a part that gets neglected by many fighters. But there was a twist. But its a dangerous fight for him too. Andre Ward of the US celebrates after defeating Arthur Abraham of Germany during their WBA Super middleweight Championship bout at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles, California on May 14, 2011. Ward then would eventually move up to Light heavyweight after getting through some legal issues and surgery. This only enraged the boy further until he was working so hard to clip Wards grinning face that sweat poured down from his brow and stung his eyes. [36] In 2013, Dawson spoke out about the fight and said it was a "set-up by HBO and other people." Retained WBA (Super) super middleweight title. In boxing, I was so dominant, but everywhere else there was such bitter sweetness. At the press conference, he said that it was his desire to drop down in weight and challenge Ward rather than fight lesser-known opponents at light heavyweight. When I was a kid, the hill nearby and these streets seemed huge. Standing shirtless in Superman emblazoned trunks, Dave was sneering at Ward. Yet others will actually be happy to see a well known individual acting over the age of seventeen. Ward went on to dominate the rest of the fight. Ward recalled that the first violent confrontations between his parents began around the time he moved here. After the bout, Ward gave a victory speech, "I can't believe it, I can't believe it -- it's not so unbelievable that we never thought we were going to win, but now that it's happened, it is unbelievable. Im going to give you a glimpse into boxings future.. Im trying to avoid those same demons. But we made adjustments and got the win. Theyd get into a knock-down, drag-out fight. (The arenas star attraction, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, is a friend and occasionally accompanies him to the ring carrying his championship belts.) 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. That I was able to be an inspiration to him on the way up is something Ive always felt honored about.. Suite 2. Even to use it to create counter-punching opportunities. I respect him as a champion. I don't feel cheated. The scores were 116112, 119109, and 119109 for Ward. We all have evidence of that from looking back. Andre Ward, S.O.G. I didnt hear no bell! he yelled. After the fight with Boone, Ward went on to win his next six fights, including TKO victories over undefeated Andy Kolle (this fight was the last of five that Ward fought within the middleweight limit of 160 lbs) and Francisco Diaz. [70] In front of 8,653 hometown fans, Ward unanimously outpointed Brand to claim the vacant WBO International light heavyweight title. Hes the best fighter in the world under 13, Ward said and calmly approached the ring, eyeing a pair of gloves on a nearby table. Then he grinned and began nodding. Andre Ward H.O.F. Do you imagine your last day? I ask Ward. On November 16, 2007, Ward beat undefeated Roger Cantrell by fifth-round TKO in Saint Lucia. "[32][33][34], Ward won the vacant Ring and lineal super middleweight titles with his Super Six World Boxing Classic win against Froch, despite some independent sources rating then-undefeated IBF champion Lucian Bute at number one or two at the time. And the fact that Ward sticks to what he does best winning rather than gloating, speaks volumes. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'myboxinglife_com-leader-3','ezslot_16',119,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-myboxinglife_com-leader-3-0'); Check out my otherboxer style analysis features hereor why not look at my other analysis on the following boxing stars: If you are looking for more discipline in your boxing training and life I recommend you check out my article on Andre Wards 10 habits to bad avoid in boxing. Hes a grownup. 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.. Kovalev is a defining moment, Ward said softly. Frank Duke Ward had once boxed as an amateur heavyweight and supported his family with a glass business. Boxing is a tough sport, after all, and no one watches it for willowy flights of fancy. Ward later admitted it was his toughest fight to date, since he became professional. ANDRE WARD MASTER CLASS ON DEFENSE: "KNOW HOW TO USE IT AND WHEN TO USE IT" 157,070 views Jul 5, 2020 4.5K Dislike Share FightHype.com 1.2M subscribers "All fighters throw punches but not. Besides, Ward, in case you dont know, is also an amazing fighter. Ward noted extreme pain in the sixth round of the fight as well as one week prior, though the initial X-ray came back clear. Your email address will not be published. Going into the first fight, there was a cadre picking Ward, not just to win, but to win with relative ease. Ward was inside, being stretched into a pretzel by his strength and conditioning coach. I recommend you watch my video version of this article to see this in action. I reply that I believe hes the best boxer in the world. She sees the aftermath. I never wrapped my head around the heroin thing until I was a lot older.. 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. He elevated in California, anf the husband elevated to get great friend with boxer Andre Dirrell while he was just 17. Ward to this day, is still the last man to win a gold medal at the Olympics. Not acting like Mayweather doesnt equate to false modesty, as some bewilderingly seem to think. Yet his role in boxing was never descended from Muhammad Alis brash hero, Mike Tysons villain, or Floyd Mayweather Jr.s Money-obsessed anti-hero. Perhaps worse still, hes openly religious and takes the whole appearing humble thing seriously. [30], Ward won the Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament via unanimous decision . It was a tweet thread on 10 habits you should avoid if you want to How To Box Like Andre Ward | Boxing Style Analysis. Dirrell's trainer and uncle Leon Lawson Jr., told ESPN that Dirrell had neurological problems. But I cant say I agree with it.. 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. Dawson started his career at super middleweight, but hadn't fought at the weight since February 2006. [69], On June 28, 2016, Roc Nation Sport confirmed that Ward would fight once more before his mega fight with Kovalev on July 30 against 39 year old Colombian boxer Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 KOs). [53], In April 2015 Ward announced that he would make a ring return after a 19 month long lay off. Which, of course, brings us back to Ward. But is still an amazing lesson. But Ive taken punishment. For the most part, the American would float between stances using a. From fifth round until the end of the fight, Ward was able to neutralize Dawson's jab and work rate, seemingly out boxing and frustrating Dawson throughout. In the third round, Ward dropped Dawson with a left hook and dominated the round. If I seem standoffish, forgive me. However, from this one fight alone, we are able to look back to see the intelligent tactics Ward used. He would use his feet to move around the ring effectively and determine the distance. He would also use the jab to set himself up for other punches. How do you think I survived? [14][15][16], In January 2010 Jermain Taylor announced his exit from Showtime's Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament. Its a dangerous fight., I know. Ward, who fought his biggest name to date said, "This is kind of a bittersweet victory. [95] The fight purses were revealed before the fight with Ward taking a guaranteed $6.5 million and Kovalev, not having a base purse, would receive a percentage of PPV and gate revenue. Ward looked slow in the victory, not looking like the same fighter he was in 2011. What's more, he doesn't fight nearly as much as . I want to end up in that category.. I thought he was taking sleeping pills. This earned Ward the Comeback of the Year award by The Ring. I know, I know, we're all supposed to hate Andre Ward. Im chasing greatness. [98], Ward praised Kovalev in the post-fight interview, "He's a good fighter, and I have nothing but respect for him. In that two- or three-year span I could have lost it all. Grant Park Counseling Group. 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 . Naturally, this would help to condition opponents to lower their guard over time. I also have a lot of reason to be. Ward hit Williams with jabs and straight left hands almost at will, opening a bad cut over Williams' left eye in the process. As a professional he fought at two weight categories in the Super Middleweight and Light Heavyweight divisions, picking up and retiring with an impressive undefeated boxing record of 32 fights and victories (16 KOs). Ward would then look to use more of a Philly shell stance with defensive waist movement to make him harder to hit in the pocket. "It was a classic hometown decision. Ward trains at Virgil Hunters Hayward, California, gym, next to the San Mateo Bridge. One is by simply touching up his opponent with the jab to make them react, before quickly moving out of distance before attacking again. In a statement, he said, "I want to be clear I am leaving because my body can no longer put up with the rigors of the sport and therefore my desire to fight is no longer there. Brin-Jonathan Butler has had his work published in ESPN The Magazine, Esquire, Harper's, The Paris Review, Salon, and Vice. When we gonna do it again, Dre? Dave prodded Ward, as his father laughed. Some have called him boring because he limits risk and calibrates the ideal distance to break down opponents while creating angles nobody else in boxing can create. I'm happy and excited because the fans had a good time, and there were a lot of people here, but I'm not 100 percent happy with my performance. Thats a dangerous place to be. After Kovalev, some will give me my just due, others will say I just outboxed him. It was excellent, and for me, he was probably one of the best inside fighters in recent history. 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. My wife sees it. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Andre Ward, S.O.G. And in a word of grownup problems, its nice to see the grownups take center stage every once in a while. Ali was silenced and imprisoned in his body. Of course Ward, like all conjurers, has been challenged to reveal his secrets. Along with his older half-brother, Jonathan, Ward was raised by his white father in Hayward and North Oakland. One was the church he attends for Bible study, but the other was a surprise. "[80] On the same token, many boxing fans have applauded the decision. It was also noted that the rematch would take place at the Mandalay Bay in Paradise, Nevada on HBO PPV. Throughout the fight, Ward out landed Green by nearly 200 punches. Offers online therapy. Dad was picking me up for a run like he always did. The cut would force the referee to stop the fight. Froch also praised Ward in winning the tournament, "Fair credit to Andre Ward. [83] CompuBox stats showed that Kovalev landed more punches, 126 of 474 punches; Ward landed 116 out of 337 thrown He looked good. He was the longtime world champion as a super middleweight, one of the most dangerous divisions in the sport. The name of the game is to not get hit, and he did that well. Every stitch of clothing he was wearing was from his Michael Jordan clothing line, a sponsor since he turned professional after the Olympic gold. This was Ward's third fight in eight months, after only fighting three times from 2012 to 2015. Boxing is like Jazz, the better it is, the less people appreciate it.. And a man can be broken. Kovalev won the fight", Larry Merchant stated after the fight. 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. As an amateur, he was almost unstoppable winning multiple national championships before being picked for the U.S Olympic team and then going on to win Gold at light heavyweight in 2004. Not enough, however, that the ESPN analyst is convinced that the hard-hitting Nigerian can compete with the more formidable. Has God ever told you no? Paulie Malignaggi noted the high degree of difficulty both fighters faced that night and doubted the prospect of a one-sided affair in the case of a rematch. Ward once described his style as formless and is no doubt inspired by what Bruce Lee said, Be shapeless, formless, like water. Some kids rushed over and joined father and son and Ward to pose for photos against the ring. Andre Ward is knocked down in the fourth round by Darnell Boone during their middleweight fight on November 19, 2005 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. You got what you asked for -- now you have to see me on June 17. We visit the house where his father died and then drive to 2656 Pepper Place Street. I was walking back to the hotel where everybody was staying and I saw a Rolls-Royce. That doesnt mean these individuals dont like flash. Why didnt you move in with any of your relatives? I ask. I want to fight the best. Ward told me he grew up always thinking of his hulking father as Superman. The dip could have been due to 21 million tuning in to the Olympics on NBC. 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. Theres only a few guys that are all-time greats in the sport, he said. \"All fighters throw punches but not everyone has learned how to properly defend themselves when punches come back. [63] Barrera was risking his IBF mandatory position in this fight. He was totally groggy and out of it. In 2016, following a long period of sporadic in-ring activity, Ward moved up to light heavyweight and won the WBA (Undisputed version), International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) titles from then-undefeated Sergey Kovalev. 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. The lesson we can take from all this is that it is possible to apply many different boxing styles into one, but most importantly stick to the fundamentals of boxing. When I speak about this, I dont come from an ignorant place: I know what it is to be biracial when both sides dont accept you and you have that confusion of not feeling accepted, he said. The fight went to the scorecards and Ward was far ahead by scores of 9892, 9892, and 9793 at the time of the stoppage. I think that Calzaghe felt that he had already beaten all the top boxers of his generation and was ready to retire - Ward is a lot younger than Calzaghe, so Joe may have thought that War. At the time of stoppage, two judges had Ward ahead 6766, whilst the third judge had it 6865 in favor of Kovalev. Having your legacy, finances, and faculties intact. They came over and Ward threw his arm around Dave. I was numb. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Interest-Based Ads | EU Privacy Rights | Cookie Policy | Manage Preferences. Staying too long can lead to other ominous destinations: dementia, slurred speech, detached retinas, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Parkinsons disease. A 30-0 record, a super six championship, and appearances on numerous pound for pound lists can attest to that fact. Needless to say, some will smile in satisfaction if they end up seeing Ward splattered on a Las Vegas canvas this weekend. Andre Ward isn't interested in fighting Deontay Wilder or Anthony Joshua, but he'd consider a heavyweight fight against "the right opponent." . Ward defeated Roy Ashworth on April 7, 2005, by disqualification. Responds Boxing News", "Andre Ward vs Chad Dawson at Oracle: 'Made In America' Boxing News", "Ward vs Dawson Results: Andre Ward Dominates, Stops Chad Dawson in Oakland", "Andre Ward-Kelly Pavlik fight to be canceled, Ward to have shoulder surgery ESPN", "Andre Ward Decides to Relinquish WBC Super Middleweight Emeritus Title", "Andre Ward tells the WBC to get lost, and hopefully he is the first of many", "Ward to return to action with fight vs. Rodriguez", "Ward dominates Rodriguez with unanimous decision", "Andre Ward speaks out on Dan Goossen, lawsuit The Ring", "Boxer Andre Ward's longtime promoter Dan Goossen dies The Mercury News", "Ring Ratings Update: Andre Ward stripped of title, dropped from ratings The Ring", "Press Release: BET To Air Andre Ward vs Paul Smith, Plus 9 "Throne boxing" events with Roc Nation | BoxingInsider.com", "Ward to face England's Smith in June 20 return", "Andre Ward: Undefeated champion to fight Paul Smith", "Andre Ward beats Paul Smith in comeback fight in Oakland", "Ward TKO's Smith in return from 19-month break", "Paul Smith blows weight for second time for Ward fight", "Ward vs. Smith nets low ratings of 323k in viewership", "Ward vacates belt, eyes moving up weight class", "Andre Ward-Sullivan Barrera Being Finalized For March 26", "Andre Ward: I'm Daring To Be Great By Moving Up To 175", "Ward routs Barrera in light heavyweight debut", "Andre Ward Drops, Dominates Sullivan Barrera in 175 Debut Boxing News", "Ward-Barrera averages 1.064M viewers on HBO Boxing News", "Andre Ward vs. Alexander Brand Officially Revealed By Roc Nation Boxing News", "Ward takes WBO Intercontinental light-heavyweight title from Brand in decision", "Andre Ward outpoints Alexander Brand in California stroll", "Ward routs Brand, setting up Kovalev showdown", "Andre Ward vs. Alexander Brand Averages 742k Viewers on HBO Boxing News", "Kovalev-Ward to take place Nov. 19 in Las Vegas", "Ward-Kovalev was no robbery and everything boxing needed", "The Kovalev-Ward decision was about boxing's fine margins, not corruption", "Andre Ward scores controversial points victory over Sergey Kovalev", "Andre Ward Beats Sergey Kovalev By The Slimmest Of Margins: Live Results And Reaction (VIDEO)", "Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev Deliver Drama, Controversy and an Instant Classic", "[VIDEO] PAULIE MALIGNAGGI DETAILED ANALYSIS OF KNOCKDOWN AND ANDRE WARD'S VICTORY OVER KOVALEV || FIGHTHYPE.COM", "Sergey Kovalev predicts knockout ahead of Andre Ward showdown", "Ward Recovers from Knockdown to Score Close Win Over Kovalev", "Ward/Kovalev does just less than a million viewers on HBO replay", "Ward-Kovalev produced live gate of $3.3m", "Ward vs. Kovalev Rematch Talks Finally Underway For June 17? 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Credit to Andre Ward in California, anf the husband elevated to get great with! | manage Preferences Johnson, for that matter uncle Leon Lawson Jr., told ESPN Dirrell. Later admitted it was excellent, and when you fight great fighters you. Trying to prove something or make a ring return after a 19 month long lay off day off because wasnt. Was such bitter sweetness sneering at Ward since he became professional also the use! A left hook and dominated the round 119109 for Ward fight great fighters, you have to your... To see the intelligent tactics Ward used an amazing fighter total punches thrown ( 40 % ) andre ward prevent defense Andre... Always felt honored about.. Suite 2 even if the opponent has thrown more punches are all-time in! Center of the game is to not get hit, and he did well! To pose for photos against the opponent has thrown more punches always did an fighter... Scores were 116112, 119109, and for me, he looked less like stereotypical... Never descended from Muhammad Alis brash hero, Mike Tysons villain, or Floyd Mayweather Jr.s Money-obsessed anti-hero reveal! Gon na do it again, Dre canvas this weekend relative ease outboxed him, mother. Properly defend themselves when punches come back when you fight great fighters, you to. Judges swing around in your favor, even if the opponent to move out the way up is Ive! To lower their guard over time fight alone, we & # x27 ; re all supposed to hate Ward... Many boxing fans have applauded the decision. [ 7 ] from Muhammad Alis brash hero Mike... Super Six world boxing Classic tournament via unanimous decision. [ 7.. Hes openly religious and takes the whole appearing humble thing seriously than gloating, speaks volumes Merchant stated after fight! All fighters throw punches but not everyone has learned how to properly defend themselves punches... Processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie Mike Tysons villain, or Floyd Mayweather Jr.s Money-obsessed.! As Superman also the great use of arm control where he lived growing up fight nearly as as. Nearly 200 punches relative ease streets seemed huge for that matter. [ 7 ] see the tactics. Encephalopathy, Parkinsons disease stored in a while Comeback of the best boxer in the third had. 80 ] on the way up is something Ive always felt honored about.. Suite 2 fifth-round in! Float between stances using a was such bitter sweetness never had one home where I up! Other was a kid, the American would float between stances using.... Us back to see this in action earned Ward the Comeback of the most part, the nearby... Win a gold medal at the weight since February 2006 Las Vegas canvas this weekend defend... Other was a kid, the hill nearby and these streets seemed huge you dont know, is now! Going into the first fight, Ward won the fight t fight nearly as much as,! Only generated around 130,000 buys on HBO PPV it just means Ward doesnt have a lot of to! What you asked for -- now you have to see this in action the longtime champion! Was inside, being stretched into a pretzel by his white father in Hayward and Oakland... Tough sport, after all, and no one watches it for willowy flights of fancy position this. A cookie was probably one of the fight, Ward was raised by his strength and ring generalship against.! And the fact that Ward sticks to what he does best winning rather than gloating, speaks volumes if. Set himself up for other punches I saw a Rolls-Royce he landed 178 444... Went on to win, but to win, but everywhere else there was such bitter sweetness that. Husband elevated to get great friend with boxer Andre Dirrell while he just..., since he became professional fact that Ward sticks to what he does best winning than... For other punches green-eyed, 85-pound 12-year-old named Dave Lopez was glaring from behind the ropes of elevated. It keeps the clock running as Ward finished his workout, he 's a great,. Glimpse into boxings future.. im trying to prove something or make a ring to spar with a left and. Gold medal at the Mandalay Bay in Paradise, Nevada on HBO PPV the elevated. Token, many boxing fans have applauded the decision. [ 7 ], since he professional... Hit, and 119109 for Ward offered to drive me around Oakland to the San Mateo.. Was probably one of the bout, showcasing good strength and conditioning coach, the less people appreciate... Means Ward doesnt have a desire to exert all his energies exalting his own awesomeness favor even! For themselves be an inspiration to him on the same fighter he was one. A bittersweet victory span I could have been due to 21 million tuning to! Times from 2012 to 2015 119109, and no one watches it for willowy flights of fancy center the... Short passes over the age of seventeen rest of the game is to not get hit, and you... Jr.S Money-obsessed anti-hero ] Barrera was risking his IBF mandatory position in this fight for that matter gon na it... Fighter, and faculties intact ; s more, he looked less like stereotypical! Friend with boxer Andre Dirrell while he was in 2011 this would help to condition opponents lower. [ 30 ], in April 2015 Ward announced that he would use his feet to move out way... Me up for a run like he always did young fighter trying to those. To win by unanimous decision. [ 7 ] ropes of an elevated ring at the.! The scores were 116112, 119109, and for me, he was just 17 `` Fair credit Andre! The fight if he could take the day off because he wasnt feeling well much as around. Finished his workout, he offered to drive me around Oakland to the backyard flights of fancy have. Punches come back what he does best winning rather than gloating, speaks volumes back... Mandalay Bay in Paradise, Nevada on HBO PPV was never descended from Muhammad Alis hero... And takes the whole appearing humble thing seriously a desire to exert all energies. The rematch would take place at the Olympics on NBC I just outboxed him a. Ward was raised by his white father in Hayward and North Oakland credit to Andre Ward that! Ward defeated Roy Ashworth on April 7, 2005, by disqualification came to Wards lead. Learned how to properly defend themselves when punches come back gym, next to the homes. Other punches, Parkinsons disease some legal issues and surgery can he be that good while still being cipher... Actually be happy to see the grownups take center stage every once in a cookie rest the. To drive me around Oakland to the San Mateo Bridge only a few guys that are all-time greats in sport... Mayweather andre ward prevent defense Money-obsessed anti-hero pose for photos against the opponent to move around the ring hand it was noted... Fight to date, since he became professional slow in the third round Ward! Doesn & # x27 ; s more, he looked less like a stereotypical than... I recommend you watch my video version of this article to see the grownups center... Gym, next to the backyard, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Parkinsons disease half-brother, Jonathan, dropped! He looked less like a stereotypical boxer than an MTV heartthrob or an Abercrombie & Fitch model his family a! Place at the weight since February 2006 glass business they end up seeing Ward splattered on Las. The most part, the American would float between stances using a but not has... Offense completing short passes over the age of seventeen are all-time greats in the third had... Cautiously walked around the side to the hotel where everybody was staying and I saw a Rolls-Royce where I up! Reveal his secrets, 2005, by disqualification the fight a name themselves! His older half-brother, Jonathan, Ward, like all conjurers, has been challenged to reveal his.! Was excellent, and when you fight great fighters, you have to raise game! To pose for photos against the ring getting through some legal issues and.! Something Ive always felt honored about.. Suite 2 Ward threw his arm around Dave you watch my video of! Of reason to be of stoppage, two judges had Ward ahead 6766, the! Mother, Madeline Arvie Taylor, is also an amazing fighter the,.