By Rick Reeno

Super middleweight contender Allan Green was caught by surprise when he began receiving phone calls from several friends who advised him about an article [ click here ] that was running on BoxingScene.com with Virgil Hunter, trainer of Andre Ward.

Apparently Hunter was not happy with some of Green’s comments during his breakdown of the Super Six tournament. In particular, Green’s comments about the punching power of Ward. [ click here ]

“All three guys that I know, that I spoke to, even [Jerson] Ravelo who got knocked out, and [Edison] Miranda - they said Ward hits like a baby,” Green said.

Hunter, during his interview with BoxingScene’s managing editor Jake Donovan, responded to Green. He claims Green blew numerous chances to take a fight with Ward.

“Green could’ve had a fight with us, before and after we fought Miranda,” Hunter said. “Every time we offered him a fight, he found a way to turn it down.”

Green contracted BoxingScene to issue a response to Hunter and the rest of Team Ward. According to Green, he only received a single offer for a fight with Ward. Green says Hunter is not telling the truth when he told BoxingScene that numerous offers were made.

“First off, I would like to say that I don’t have any quarrels with Virgil Hunter or anyone from Team Ward. I don’t know why they would take anything I said as offensive. I think it’s somewhat juvenile. The only thing I said when I was doing the interview, I was asked about what I thought of the fight [Kessler-Ward] and I listed the strengths and the weaknesses. Three friends of mine that I know, including one common opponent that me and Andre Ward both fought. He said Ward doesn’t really hit hard, he hits like a baby. He’s really tricky, more tricky than fast. I can say the more tricky than fast because I’ve seen it with my own eyes but why would I say he hits like a baby when I’ve never fought him. All I did was take what was said to me, some friends,” Green said.

“As far as them approaching me for a fight, the only one time I was approached for a fight with Andre Ward, and it was all over the internet, when I took the fight with Rubin Williams. And the only reason I didn’t take the fight with Andre Ward was because I heard the show wasn’t going to happen and the show ended up not happening. For Virgil Hunter to sit there and say that I was offered tons of fights with Andre Ward, that’s not true.”

Hunter was also a bit peeved at Green’s comments over who belongs, and doesn’t belong, in the Super Six tournament. He brought up the fact that Green suffered his sole loss to Miranda, who Ward dominated for twelve rounds.

“I say this with no disrespect intended towards (Green),” says Hunter. “but I’m just trying to feel out where he believes he belongs as far as credentials go. He’s questioning the fighters in this tournament, but we will gladly compare resumes and results to see how he and Andre measure up.”

“When Andre’s moment came up to step up to the plate, he did the job. My guy had 18 fights going into the fight with Miranda, a former world title challenger. What was Allan doing 18 fights into his career? Beating a nine-fight novice (Jaidon Codrington), which is still his best win.”

Green does not hide his feelings about some of participants selected for the Super Six, but says Ward is not one of the guys who don’t belong there. He hit back at Hunter over the resume quote, and says Ward beat a “damaged” version of Miranda. Green hopes to move things away from the internet and settle the dispute in the ring.

“And another thing, I never said Andre Ward didn’t belong in the tournament because he does. He beat a guy that I lost too, but he beat a guy that I lost to after he was damaged goods at super middleweight. I don’t know why Virgil Hunter brought that up. I don’t know why he would bring up anything,” Green said.

“I would be up for settling it in the ring. He said I had a chance to fight Andre Ward and I don’t even know what that means. He said that like Andre Ward was some world champion. Andre Ward is a good fighter. You best believe that if I had the chance, I would take the fight and do away with him. It wouldn’t be a problem. With that being said, it’s not even going to happen because he’s in the tournament and I wish him the best in the tournament. I think he’s a good fighter and I think he has a chance to do well in the tournament, but do I think he’s going to win – no.”

“I didn’t pick him to beat Mikkel Kessler. For them to even get irate, I don’t even understand that. When I spoke about who belongs in the tournament and who didn’t, I didn’t even bring up Andre Ward’s name. When he’s done taking care of business in the tournament, I will be more than happy to jump in the ring with him whenever. If something happens and I jump into the tournament, I’ll be more than happy to get in the ring with him.”