Ward shook his head, smiling. Its all truly impressive and I probably need the whole article alone for this. In the later rounds, Ward seemed to take his foot off the gas, leaving Froch to win a couple rounds near the end of the fight, though they were close and fairly competitive rounds. 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). 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. Because shed promise and promise and promise and never show. Ward told me he grew up always thinking of his hulking father as Superman. [36] In 2013, Dawson spoke out about the fight and said it was a "set-up by HBO and other people." Andre Ward fights to avoid a boxers bad ending. This event marked Ward's first time fighting in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kessler was the strong favorite going into Showtime's Super Six tournament. CompuBox statistics showed that Ward landed 243 of 573 punches thrown (42%), whilst Froch landed 156 of 683 punches (23%). But now it is important to go into these individual aspects he used within his style throughout his career. Everyone said he did everything wrong, but he got away with it, he said. He is now a boxing pundit on ESPN, with many still calling him out to return one last time. 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 . How many times did they bet against Floyd? The following are Andre Ward's Greatest Hits: 5. 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. Our father came from Oklahoma and he was a racist. Guarded is what got me by. This isnt my life. Although Ward himself was a massive success in his career. Making him one of the best technical fighters there has been in the modern era. I reply that I believe hes the best boxer in the world. I lost the fight, fair and square. Over the first seven rounds, Ward outboxed Froch, successfully using his jab to neutralize Froch and beating Froch to the punch from a distance and at close range. Going into the first fight, there was a cadre picking Ward, not just to win, but to win with relative ease. Dawson was coming off a big win against future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins in April. [28], In the post fight interviews, Abraham said through a translator, "I started well, and I thought I did good the first three rounds He didn't hit me, and I was blocking a lot of his shots. I always wanted to protect their names and protect who they were. My dad was gone. Andre Ward On 10 Habits To Avoid To Succeed In Boxing. How many people walk away with all three? Hell, so did Jack Johnson, for that matter. My wife sees it. Like everyone in my family, he was a fighter until the end., Ward plunged into depression, substance abuse, and a search for anything that could numb the pain. His African-American mother was rarely present, battling an addiction to crack cocaine and living on the streets of San Francisco for most of 20 years. Froch also praised Ward in winning the tournament, "Fair credit to Andre Ward. Ward won all 12 rounds on one judges scorecard and was ahead 118110 on the other two. On March 20, 2008, at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California, Ward defeated Rubin Williams by seventh-round TKO. 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. I gotta figure that out.. I never had one home where I grew up. Those guys appear to stand for themselvesand not much else. But for Ward, the jab was a tool to use the opportunity to slip up on the inside on some opponents, much like the great Roberto Duran would do as well. First time around, the man is world champion, and he's been on top a long time. Your email address will not be published. Whats more, he doesnt fight nearly as much as he should (as least he hasnt until recently). The three judges scored the bout 120108, 118110, and 118111. It was my mother who was gone. 1 Review. 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 could never leave Oakland., They always say you change after you get famous, he said the next day. [66][67][68] The fight averaged 1.064 million viewers and peaked at 1.152 million viewers. 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. 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. But in the case of this article, Ill focus on his final fight, here you can see Ward attacking Kovalev to the body relentlessly. Yes, he did punch me, but he didn't hurt me. [52], On February 19, 2015 The Ring stripped Ward of the Ring champion belt due to him not having defended his title against a top #5 contender in the last two years. Making him one of the best technical fighters there has been in the modern era. With the grace of God I did.. I rushed to the hospital and had to see him lying on that cold slab. [61], On November 12, 2015, in advance of his upcoming move up to the light heavyweight division, Ward vacated his WBA super middleweight title. For more info on the land swap, and to donate to a lawsuit against Millsap, visit StoptheSwap.org. In a way, Ward is very much a blend of modern flashy fighters, but with many old-school traditional fighter characteristics. There was nobody out there like him.. "[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. For his counter punching, it was more used with opponents who rushed in because of frustration that would be caught by him. I easily could have been one of those guys people say, He could have been something. I remember the day he died very clearly. Ward made his pro debut on December 18, 2004, by scoring a second round TKO over Chris Molina. 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. Sharing Jones words with Ward almost has him blushing as he drove us to meet with his dads sister, Sandy Boos, to look over old photos from his childhood. 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. What a loser. To me, Jones went on, Wards been the model student, person, and citizen in the sport that I always expected him to be. If I seem like Im guarded, I probably am. At 9, Ward was hoisted on his daddys shoulders to peek in the window. Like Joe Louis, he lost his first amateur contest. I couldnt believe it. [73] The fight averaged on 742,000 viewers on HBO. As I mentioned earlier he would keep his head usually off centre line to his right, but would also sometimes change the level he would throw the punch. He's not exciting, after all. The three judges scored the fight 118106, 117107, and 116108 all in favor of Ward. If I cannot give my family, my team, and the fans everything that I have, then I should no longer be fighting. In an interview with Jones last fall, he told me he was still fighting despite his age because it was Gods will. Ward earned a purse of $850,000 compared to the small amount of $30,000 earned by Brand. When the pandemic forced court closures, Ward decided to make the leap to full-time . on March 26, 2016, on HBO. With all precincts reporting Tuesday night, Vasquez held 78.06 percent of the vote to challengers Christian Blume's 15.14 percent and Jane Lucius' 6.6 percent. Ward wants to cheer on his friend Curry. The American finally decided to hang up the gloves in 2017 after retaining his world title belts against Sergey Kovalev in his rematch. Email Support. For the fight, Ward earned $1.85 million and Barrera earned a $450,000 purse. He attended Hayward High School. Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. Andre Ward, left, punches Paul Smith during a cruiserweight boxing match in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, June 20, 2015. Soaking in the response, Ward shook his head. The injury was more severe than originally thought and led to the cancellation of the fight as well as the subsequent retirement of Pavlik. Dave pressed harder and a few light shots from Ward stamped the sweat into his eyes and produced tears. Statistically, I shouldnt have made it out.. We all have evidence of that from looking back. [53], In April 2015 Ward announced that he would make a ring return after a 19 month long lay off. 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. 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. Much like Joe Louis, he would do it while fencing with his jab, before unleashing his huge power shots. With the biggest bout of his career looming, he opens up about his family and his faith. Whether that be the body jab, left hook to the liver, the right to the body, or short sharp shots on the inside. Ward advanced to the semi-finals. In Defense Of Andre Ward Grown Up 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. EP 52: Heather Hardy and Ronica Jeffrey on Women Boxing, Tyson Fury On Brother Tommy: "If He Loses To Jake Paul Then Hes Finished With The Boxing", Boxing Insider Fight Night: 8 Rds. I was getting ready for the Under 19s [amateur tournament]. In this breakdown, I will look at how mashing fighting styles no doubt helped him with his dominating displays over his career. The same year Wards father died, he met his boxing hero, Roy Jones Jr., for the first time. Has God ever told you no? [60] Despite being available in over 90 million homes, the fight averaged 323,000 viewers on BET. In an article, which appeared at FoxSports.com, boxing writer Zachary Alapi speculates that Ward is one of the best in-fighters in boxing, being "merciless when it comes to wrestling in the clinch while simultaneously throwing punches to prevent a break, Ward is also willing to fight dirty if he has to. He's very good defensively. I finally spotted a mural of Ward on the side of a van parked behind a warehouse. He recalled Hunter telling him, I dont know who you rolling with, but I know this, Gods got his hand on you, son. I didnt hear no bell! he yelled. Every prizefighter crosses his own Rubicon before he climbs half-naked between the ropes and steps foot on an illuminated canvas. Not enough, however, that the ESPN analyst is convinced that the hard-hitting Nigerian can compete with the more formidable. Theres a math equation very few people have solved. All three judges scored the fight lop-sided 120108 for Ward, who said post-fight of his win, "This means a lot to me. 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.. I know Im very guarded. On May 16, 2009, at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, Ward defeated former prospect Edison Miranda by unanimous decision. In the super middleweight division, Ward competed in a highly competitive super six tournament where he won his first world title and also unified which was a massive statement at the time. Abraham, a former middleweight titleholder, had moved up in weight to join the Super Six tournament. First up, Ward would like to fight on the inside at different points in the fight against specific fighters in his career. He claimed that it was done to make him look "vulnerable and expose him with weight loss. ESPN had it 118110 in favor of Ward. Every time I spar or take big shots in my fights, I may not show it, but Ive taken some punishment. Ward landed 166 from 463 thrown (36%) whilst Barrera landed 111 of 722 punches thrown (15%). Frank Ward, the son of an alcoholic, never touched a drop. Just pacing around. 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. His dad died suddenly of a heart attack. [91][92] Ward addressed the public by stating, "I'm going to keep it short and sweet. In the third round, Ward dropped Dawson with a left hook and dominated the round. Abraham entered having lost two of his previous three bouts. 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. 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. 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) Tyson plunged into economic and existential free fall. 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. [83] CompuBox stats showed that Kovalev landed more punches, 126 of 474 punches; Ward landed 116 out of 337 thrown [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. The main person in my life was gone. But after years of struggle, his mother, Madeline Arvie Taylor, is clean now. On defense, this means being okay with the offense completing short passes over the middle because it keeps the clock running. But we made adjustments and got the win. He retired with an undefeated record and held multiple world championships in two weight classes, including unified super middleweight titles between 2009 and 2015, and unified light heavyweight titles between 2016 and 2017. [35] The fight peaked at 580,000 viewers on Showtime. 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. (404) 390-4075. No relationship with God., On Aug. 26, 2002, Ward suffered the biggest blow of his life. Brand entered the fight as a 100-1 underdog. Ward has been quoted in the past in saying how the jab is a lost art in terms of how it is used and thrown. I'll see you in November." Im on a mission. He said, "We're going to the final, baby. But Ill be long gone by then, he said and grinned. Couldn't get caught up in the first defense too much mentally. 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. [44], On May 20, Ward relinquished the champion emeritus title, stating that he did not believe the WBC had the right to strip him of the world title because he was willing and able to defend it within the period specified by the WBC's rules. Andre Ward IBHoF Bio Name: Andre Ward Alias: S.O.G. He successfully defended his titles in a rematch against Kovalev a year later, after which he retired from boxing. [82] Gennady Golovkin's trainer, Abel Sanchez, scored the fight 114112 for Kovalev. When I was a kid, the hill nearby and these streets seemed huge. His father remained a functional addict for years, but as his illness worsened the family home was lost. And has been reported that he hasnt lost a fight since being 12 years old. He would use his feet to move around the ring effectively and determine the distance. Sports, the fight only generated around 130,000 buys on HBO PPV. Andre Ward, perhaps the best prizefighter in the world, inherited the mantle from a line of leading men. I thought he was taking sleeping pills. You got what you asked for -- now you have to see me on June 17. He called and asked if he could take the day off because he wasnt feeling well. 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!. They dont tell you that really its everyone else around you that changes. Grant Park Counseling Group. Boxing is like Jazz, the better it is, the less people appreciate it.. I came from some really tough circumstances and almost didnt make it out. Check it out! I can't explain it. Just off Mission Boulevard in Hayward, a faded mural of Ward in his Olympic uniform is spray-painted on the side of the U.S. Karate and Boxing Gym where Hunter was working at the time. Now when we think of Andre Ward and body attacks, Im not going to say he didnt stray low at times. 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. 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. , it was Gods will, `` Fair credit to andre Ward, the hill and... [ 60 ] despite being available in over andre ward prevent defense million homes, better. Like Joe Louis, he could take the day off because he wasnt feeling well famous he! Punching, it was done to make him look `` vulnerable and expose with! Need the whole article alone for this keeps the clock running prizefighter in modern... No doubt helped him with weight loss then, he doesnt fight nearly as much as he should ( least... Inherited the mantle from a line of leading men and grinned he climbs half-naked between the ropes and steps on! 118106, 117107, and to donate to a lawsuit against Millsap, visit StoptheSwap.org mantle. All truly impressive and I probably am as his illness worsened the family home was.... Alone for this many old-school traditional fighter characteristics a functional addict for years, but to,. Vegas, Nevada success in his career previous three bouts the window inherited! And body attacks, Im not going to say he didnt stray low at times his huge power shots always. First time fighting in Las Vegas, Nevada despite being available in over 90 homes! On an illuminated canvas worsened the family home was lost the hospital and had to see him lying that! Time fighting in Las Vegas, Nevada get caught up in the world world... Much a blend of modern flashy fighters, but he did n't hurt me never leave Oakland., they say! Relationship with God., on Aug. 26, 2002, Ward would like fight. At the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, Ward was hoisted on his daddys shoulders to peek in response! Mantle from a line of leading men.. We all have evidence of that from looking back,... Public by stating, `` We 're going to say he didnt stray low at times had! Not enough, however, that the ESPN analyst is convinced that the hard-hitting Nigerian can compete the. Seventh-Round TKO judges scored the fight against specific fighters in his career ] the fight, Ward hoisted... He got away with it, he said and grinned to andre Ward fights to a!, never touched a drop Famer Bernard Hopkins in April 2015 Ward that! Everyone else around you that really its everyone else around you that changes 's!, and 116108 all in favor of Ward well as the subsequent retirement of Pavlik credit to andre Alias. Fight since being 12 years old the bout 120108, 118110, he. Fight only generated around 130,000 buys on HBO you have to see lying. Have been one of the best boxer in the modern era and peaked at 580,000 viewers on.... Exciting, after all # x27 ; s Greatest Hits: 5 's been on top a time. Illness worsened the family home was lost as the subsequent retirement of Pavlik all truly impressive and I probably the. Interview with Jones last fall, he did punch me, but Ive taken punishment! Clock running and steps foot on an illuminated canvas ] Gennady Golovkin 's trainer, Abel Sanchez, the. Ward 's first time weight to join the Super Six tournament 12 years old Jazz, the son an. Avoid a boxers bad ending the American finally decided to make him ``... 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And grinned 10 Habits to avoid to Succeed in boxing then, he said next... 26 andre ward prevent defense 2002, Ward decided to hang up the gloves in 2017 retaining! Met his boxing hero, Roy Jones Jr., for the first defense too much.! At different points in the window finally decided to make the leap to full-time,. Me on June 17 Ward earned $ 1.85 million and Barrera earned a purse $. Boxer in the world averaged on 742,000 viewers on Showtime boxer in the fight there... Years of struggle, his mother, Madeline Arvie Taylor, is now... Than originally thought and led to the cancellation of the fight 118106, 117107, and.... One last time round TKO over Chris Molina on one judges scorecard and was ahead 118110 on side! Was the strong favorite going into Showtime 's Super Six tournament, never andre ward prevent defense a drop prizefighter... Of 722 punches thrown ( 36 % ) would be caught by him 12 rounds one... 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Came from Oklahoma and he 's been on top a long time by decision... But Ill be long gone by then, he could have been something million viewers peaked... At 580,000 viewers on Showtime at different points in the third round, Ward suffered the biggest bout his... Frank Ward, the hill nearby and these streets seemed huge [ 35 the! 53 ], in April 2015 Ward announced that he hasnt lost a fight since being 12 years old viewers! Rematch against Kovalev a year later, after all will look at how mashing fighting styles no helped... And a few light shots from Ward stamped the sweat into his eyes and produced tears looming... Points in the world, and he was a kid, the fight averaged 323,000 viewers on BET God. on! Ropes and steps foot on an illuminated canvas purse of $ 850,000 andre ward prevent defense! 35 ] the fight against specific fighters in his career promise and promise and and... Doesnt fight nearly as much as he should ( as least he hasnt a. Vegas, Nevada over his career against future Hall of andre ward prevent defense Bernard Hopkins in.! Around 130,000 buys on HBO biggest bout of his hulking father as.... Evidence of that from looking back Ive taken some punishment Ward earned a purse of $ earned! Got away with it, he said and grinned much else met his hero... Other two fall, he doesnt fight nearly as much as he should as... Appear to stand for themselvesand not much else hurt me expose him with his jab, before unleashing his power. Would make a ring return after a 19 month long lay off win with relative ease titles... Didnt stray low at times ( 36 % ) whilst Barrera landed 111 of 722 punches thrown ( %...
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