[64] According to Ward, he wasn't moving up in weight for the money, but rather daring to be great. What you waiting for? Dave hollered, the voice like his physique still untouched by puberty. Maybe Ward has one more profound trick up his sleeve: rising to the top of his craft and claiming a happy ending, not just as his reward, but as a central part of his legacy. Can the same be said of Floydor even of his PR apprentice, McGregor? Although Ward himself was a massive success in his career. Ward overcame a rocky second round, in which he was hurt by a left hook, to win by unanimous decision. How can he be that good while still being a cipher? The case has been to court or arbitration on 3 separate occasions. 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. CompuBox stats showed that Ward landed 80 of 238 punches (34%) whilst Kovalev landed more punches with 95 of his 407 thrown (23%). I wanted to not care about anything. 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. A devout Christian, he regularly visits places in his area such as schools, prisons, and youth facilities. Really down. But while the Germany-based Armenian had lost none of his strength and durability . On offense, that means running the football so the clock doesn't stop. This isnt my life. Boxing is a tough sport, after all, and no one watches it for willowy flights of fancy. I just came to say hello., They circled one another for a few moments, exchanging smack until a buzzer sounded and Daves father called out, Time!. Hed respond, he said. I don't feel cheated. I'm done." Kovalev said the fight could have continued, "I don't know. Understanding that past brings perspective. I saw him in the locker room, Ward remembered. In the third round, Ward dropped Dawson with a left hook and dominated the round. Despite the knockdown, Ward went on to win by unanimous decision.[7]. He confirmed that he was still under contract with Roc Nation Sports, but rumours indicated that he could sign with Top Rank. The injury was more severe than originally thought and led to the cancellation of the fight as well as the subsequent retirement of Pavlik. He would very much use his lead hand almost like he was fencing with it in three ways: For defence, he would use the jab as I mentioned as a way to create distance between himself and the opponent. 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. I could not have done this without you." Dawson was coming off a big win against future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins in April. 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. [14][15][16], In January 2010 Jermain Taylor announced his exit from Showtime's Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament. Ward still has a copy of the sign-up sheet. My parents were there, but not there. Whether that be the body jab, left hook to the liver, the right to the body, or short sharp shots on the inside. Required fields are marked *. On November 16, 2007, Ward beat undefeated Roger Cantrell by fifth-round TKO in Saint Lucia. Brand entered the fight as a 100-1 underdog. 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. Wards brother, Jonathan, he confessed, never recovered from their fathers death. You have probably seen the beautiful catch and counter before against Barrera, but this was a rare occurrence of Ward standing like this. Ward wasnt trying to prove anything, but it was obvious he understood his role as some kind of tuning fork in this boys life. Every prizefighter crosses his own Rubicon before he climbs half-naked between the ropes and steps foot on an illuminated canvas. Our Top Coaching Course. After a while they couldnt bet against him, so instead they criticized his style. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Interest-Based Ads | EU Privacy Rights | Cookie Policy | Manage Preferences. Andre Ward walks to the ring prior to his bout against Carl Froch of England during their WBA/WBC Super Middleweight Championship bout at Boardwalk Hall on December 17, 2011 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Andre Ward fights to avoid a boxers bad ending. "I didn't feel the punch. I loved the swag, the way he dressed, the country accent, what he said, the way he did it his way. He recalled Hunter telling him, I dont know who you rolling with, but I know this, Gods got his hand on you, son. For the most part, the American would float between stances using a. So I asked if God had ever asked him to do anything he didnt already want to do. "It was a classic hometown decision. Two steps inside the Lightning Boxing Club, it was if Wards unannounced arrival tripped a silent alarm, freezing all the boxers who were working out there. Ward showed he had an inside game as well as an outside game. 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. He dreads receiving another call like the one he received about his dad. Dirrell's trainer and uncle Leon Lawson Jr., told ESPN that Dirrell had neurological problems. Millsap and Shadowbox Studios want to clear cut 170 acres of forest to build the largest movie soundstage in America. [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. Ward won the fight via 8th round TKO and defended his WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO titles, and won the vacant The Ring title. They did it to Floyd, too. It may not be the kind of punishment my critics expect me to have taken, lying on the canvas unconscious. Andre Ward Continues As Ringside Analyst For Top Rank On ESPN Boxing News Multi-Year Contract Extends Ward's ESPN Tenure - Continues as ringside analyst for Top Rank on ESPN Continues as. [31] The judges scorecards were 115113, 115113, and 118110 all in favor of Ward. You aint gonna get away with anything. His pastor, former NFL running back Napoleon Kaufman, has played one of the biggest roles in Wards life since he got his life back on track after his fathers death. Abraham, a former middleweight titleholder, had moved up in weight to join the Super Six tournament. With the biggest bout of his career looming, he opens up about his family and his faith. Ward described himself as a pick him type fighter in other words, he likes to pick you off and break you down with strong, accurate, and effective shots with a lower volume of punches. A new study of more than 12,000 participants found a link between taking vitamin D supplements and living dementia-free longer. Ive boxed for over 20 years. At the time of stoppage, two judges had Ward ahead 6766, whilst the third judge had it 6865 in favor of Kovalev. We wanted to fight on the inside and on the outside, and we pulled it off tonight. Check it out! Do you imagine your last day? I ask Ward. Prevents Big Plays. I whispered in his ear, Im going to finish what we started. However, as Wards opponents would improve in quality over time, they would for the most part be bigger punchers, better at closing the distance and applying pressure. We were probably here for three or four years. [65] 8,532 fans packed the arena on fight night. Didnt I warn you? As Wards parents descended into addiction, domestic violence, financial ruin, bouts of homelessness, and repeated stints in rehab, Hunter would become not only Wards trainer, but soon his godfather and temporary guardian. His father remained a functional addict for years, but as his illness worsened the family home was lost. Ive taken a lot of punishment. 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 sat down to watch him in the third row. 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). Every so often, Dave would force Ward into a corner and throw everything he had until, once, Ward was forced to defend himself with a right that bloodied Daves nose. Ward earned a purse of $850,000 compared to the small amount of $30,000 earned by Brand. Andre Ward, left, punches Paul Smith during a cruiserweight boxing match in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, June 20, 2015. Weve spent enough time on the past, Ward said. "[113], In 2009, Ward married his high school sweetheart Tiffiney, with whom he has three sons and a daughter. Despite this confession, Jones, 47, has now fought more than 13 years since that match. Ward defeated Green by unanimous decision on June 19, 2010. True to his trainers prophesy, Ward married his first high school sweetheart. Ward trains at Virgil Hunters Hayward, California, gym, next to the San Mateo Bridge. I hope you enjoy visiting and can find something that will suit your boxing lifestyle. I aint done with you yet!, Ward stepped out of the ring shaking his head and sat down on the stairs leading up to the ring. 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. But Ill be long gone by then, he said and grinned. [Update: Ward easily beat Brand in a unanimous decision.]. 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. Kovalev won the fight", Larry Merchant stated after the fight. Still, he concluded that Kovalev faded late in the fight. Ward hit Williams with jabs and straight left hands almost at will, opening a bad cut over Williams' left eye in the process. Birth Name: Andre Michael Ward Hometown: Oakland, California, USA Birthplace: San Francisco, California, USA Stance: Orthodox Height: 183cm Reach: 180cm Pro Boxer: Record Amateur Boxer: Record Trainer: Virgil Hunter (1994-2017) Manager: James Prince (2004-2017) [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. Or by being too close for opponents to hit him cleanly or effectively. [53], In April 2015 Ward announced that he would make a ring return after a 19 month long lay off. [84], The fight reported to have done 160,000 buys on HBO PPV. "[9], On September 12, 2009, at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California, Ward defeated Shelby Pudwill by TKO in the 3rd round. I remember once she stabbed him. 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. [63] Barrera was risking his IBF mandatory position in this fight. He is a great fighter, and when you fight great fighters, you have to raise your game." Prevent defense in football is when the defense lines up their linebackers and defensive backs near the goal line to prevent a long pass. Just pacing around. It was my mother who was gone. In this breakdown, I will look at how mashing fighting styles no doubt helped him with his dominating displays over his career. But now it is important to go into these individual aspects he used within his style throughout his career. Ill never forget that day. [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. If I cannot give my family, my team, and the fans everything that I have, then I should no longer be fighting. [36] In 2013, Dawson spoke out about the fight and said it was a "set-up by HBO and other people." When the pandemic forced court closures, Ward decided to make the leap to full-time . This isnt to say theyre bad men at heart. Your email address will not be published. He successfully defended his titles in a rematch against Kovalev a year later, after which he retired from boxing. Andre Ward celebrates after beating Paul Smith in the eighth round during their Cruiserweight fight at ORACLE Arena on June 20, 2015 in Oakland, California. The fight was announced in June, with a rematch clause, and both fighters retained their undefeated records through interim bouts. 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. It was excellent, and for me, he was probably one of the best inside fighters in recent history. But as most know, footwork isnt everything in boxing and it was in fact his lead hand that he would use alongside this footwork that really made him difficult to hit. Muhammad Ali, after all, stood for something. Then of course create opportunities up top. The American would always invest in these shots against the majority of the fighters he fought. That I was able to be an inspiration to him on the way up is something Ive always felt honored about.. [105], On September 21, 2017, via his website, Ward announced his retirement from boxing at the age of 33. [12] Kessler's WBA super-middleweight championship was also at stake. I gotta figure that out.. The current president of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association also became a certified mediator in 2016. But beyond a perfunctory interview here and there, its slim pickings. Ward knew better than anyone what greatness required. [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). "[106][107] Also in the statement read, "As I walk away from the sport of boxing today, I leave at the top of your glorious mountain, which was always my vision and my dream. But in the case of this article, Ill focus on his final fight, here you can see Ward attacking Kovalev to the body relentlessly. [13] The fight was stopped in round 11 due to cuts on Kessler's face caused by what was deemed unintentional headbutts by Ward. [30], Ward won the Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament via unanimous decision . Hes that good.. They did that to Roy Jones his whole career. This full video can be found on my master class page (link in bio). The fight took place on May 14, 2011, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Ward is not a brawler, despite all those knockouts. Which doesnt mean I dont take it seriously. It would all be situational for what was in front of him. Sometimes sticking it straight out will help you create the time to move out the way or force your opponent into a punch. 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. First up, Ward would like to fight on the inside at different points in the fight against specific fighters in his career. Nearby Areas. But after years of struggle, his mother, Madeline Arvie Taylor, is clean now. 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. Area such as schools, prisons, and when you fight great fighters, you have to your! His family and his faith next to the small amount of $ 850,000 compared to the amount... 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He confessed, never recovered from their fathers death their linebackers and backs! Privacy Rights | Cookie Policy | Manage Preferences was n't moving up weight... Linebackers and defensive backs near the goal line to prevent a long pass said fight! The sign-up sheet inside at different points in the fight elevated ring at the center of best... And can find something that will suit your boxing lifestyle he dreads receiving call! '', Larry Merchant stated after the fight '', Larry Merchant stated after the fight may,! Hope you enjoy visiting and can find something that will suit your boxing lifestyle,. Clear cut 170 acres of forest to build the largest movie soundstage in America the gym school... In recent history and we pulled it off tonight sport, after all, and no one watches it willowy. # x27 ; t stop the time of stoppage, two judges had Ward 6766! 30 ], Ward married his first high school sweetheart and led to the San Mateo Bridge this was massive!
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