by David P. Greisman
Alexander Brand has one loss on his record. The man who gave it to him says Brand will soon have two.
Badou Jack was a 10-0 prospect when he took on Brand in May 2012, winning an eight-round split decision. Jack went 5-0-1 after that before suffering his first pro loss, but he has since rebounded by becoming a super middleweight titleholder.
Brand has won eight straight, all at or around 168, but will be jumping up to light heavyweight to take on Andre Ward in Oakland on Aug. 6 on HBO.
“Andre Ward is one of the best in the game, so I can’t really see Ward having any troubles with him,” Jack told BoxingScene.com in an interview. “I think Andre Ward is going to take him apart. Also, he’s [Brand’s] a little older. I think he’s 39. I can’t see him beating Ward. Ward’s so skillful. He’s so smart. You can’t compare them. Brand has no skills compared to Andre Ward. He’s strong, and he’s swinging wild, but Andre Ward is too smart for that.”
Jack said he recalled the “terrible technique” that Brand had, but that the style Brand brought to the ring taught him a valuable lesson.
“Some guys, they might look like you can beat them, but a guy like that is very strong, very awkward, that’s a bad combination,” Jack said. “He’s all over the place. You got to learn how to just stick to the basics with guys like that. Andre Ward is fighting him now. He’ll have no problem with him. Neither would I if I fought him right now.”
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