Is Andre Ward Dirty?

I'm surprised that a trade writer, who is supposed to rise above the average NSB'ers knowledge basically says that lowblows is dirty while headbutts is just a little roughing. I totally disagree. It's all a matter of preference, and having been around boxing for a long time before writing, I can understand why fighters do these things. There are fighters that are not just great but popular, like Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather, Roberto Duran and even Muhammad Ali who have been accused of fighting dirty. Bert Sugar often spoke fondly of Fritzie Zivic, whom he said made the best use of a thumb since the Roman emperor Nero. Ali was often accused of leaning on opponents on the inside to wear them out. Mike Tyson often hit after the bell and rocked his opponents with elbows. Roberto Duran won the lightweight title on a low blow. Floyd Mayweather Jr uses his elbows to get space to hit opponents. Evander Holyfield was just plain dirty, with headbutts and low blows. I won't even get into Bernard Hopkins and his tactics. This doesn't detract from any of the greatness of those fighters in my opinion. There are referees for a reason, and they police the ring.

I'm not sure if BWAA is a standard of excellence. :rofl: That cracked me up. Nice.

Yeah I was shocked/surprised when "asian sensation" said that. He told me he was part of the BWAA. I'm not sure if BWAA is a standard of excellence.

Ward is old school... What have we come to? Are we defending Green for not throwing his hands back? Are we defending him for letting Ward back him down all night? A lot of you guys don't notice that Ward really makes people look bad. I don't think this was a good example of his ability. I think the world will really know who the truth is when he has to go up against Dirrell. Dirrell will be tough, but he will be behind on the cards early and won't be able to hop on his huffy for the majority of the fight.

Not only dirty but boring as hell. The refs let him get away with this shit if because he's in Oakland and that's why he won't fight anywhere else. Has he fought anywhere else in his career?

Not only dirty but boring as hell. The refs let him get away with this shit if because he's in Oakland and that's why he won't fight anywhere else.

This is a global site that attracts fans from all over the globe. Having one of their writers saying the above is just terrible. Yeah I was shocked/surprised when "asian sensation" said that. He told me he was part of the BWAA.

Forget it Bat. These americans are so in love with their dirty fighters but cries like little babies when it's one of their fighters who gets roughed up like the Cobra did with Dirrell. Bunch of hypocrites. This is a global site that attracts fans from all over the globe. Having one of their writers saying the above is just terrible.

I was thinking someone should get Castillo in an interview and ask him what he thinks. Ward has done this against Green, Kessler, & Miranda (not as much). Why? Because I think that his defense. lol.

I think he is dirty. Against Kessler he used to cover the Danish's visual with his left glove, and then hit him with the right... I hate that. Not to talk about the clinches: he looks like he's hugging his new-found son on a TV talk-show after 25 years of research. He's dirty but he's also quick, so he's able to get back on track before the referee picks on him. But he's dirty nonetheless, I don't like his style. :)

I'm surprised that a trade writer, who is supposed to rise above the average NSB'ers knowledge basically says that lowblows is dirty while headbutts is just a little roughing. I totally disagree. Forget it Bat. These americans are so in love with their dirty fighters but cries like little babies when it's one of their fighters who gets roughed up like the Cobra did with Dirrell. Bunch of hypocrites.

I agree 100% with this post. Some people are so quick to point out a fighter who is a little dirty in the ring and try and detract from him. If you're in a tough gym in Philly or Newark and someone is rough-housing you in sparring, are you going to petition the trainer for him to stop? No, because you'd be called every name in the book by the others in the gym and probably KO'ed as you turned around. I've seen it happen. These sort of experiences, dealing with rough-housing etc., ultimately make you a better fighter. Look at Mayweather, an incredible fighter, and a lot of what he does would be considered rough-housing. Andre Ward is a very experienced fighter who has seen it all in the gym and in his long amateur and pro career. People forget, this guy hasn't lost in like 10 years or so dating back to the amateurs. It isn't by accident, either. I'm surprised that a trade writer, who is supposed to rise above the average NSB'ers knowledge basically says that lowblows is dirty while headbutts is just a little roughing. I totally disagree.

Not dirty, he's just capable of fighting rough. When you are good at inside fighting, crap happens. THat statement is flawed. When you're good at infighting that means such things does NOT happen. Check out Castillo for great fighting on the inside like in his fights with Corrales.

Thise flying butts against Kessler was the dirtiest display I've seen in a long time. The worst of it was the fact that the butting continued even after the fight was all but over. This tells the story of a fighter who has 'leading with your head' as an integrated part part of your fighting style. You could see it in the Green fight as well although not nearly as evident. I don't think it was because Ward has cleaned up his act it was likely more because the fight was mostly fought on the inside. Still he lead with the head and you could often see his skull smother Green's face. So untill proven clean by fighting 'normally' I say he is dirty.

Of course he's a dirty fighter. Everyone saying otherwise haven't seen his last two fights with open eyes. Some like that style, I think he only gets away with that BS due to hometown cooking

Not dirty, he's just capable of fighting rough. When you are good at inside fighting, crap happens.

This is boxing, not pattcake, nothing wrong with a little roughhousing in there. As long as he isn't low blowing him or hitting him with the elbow after he punches have at it. I agree 100% with this post. Some people are so quick to point out a fighter who is a little dirty in the ring and try and detract from him. If you're in a tough gym in Philly or Newark and someone is rough-housing you in sparring, are you going to petition the trainer for him to stop? No, because you'd be called every name in the book by the others in the gym and probably KO'ed as you turned around. I've seen it happen. These sort of experiences, dealing with rough-housing etc., ultimately make you a better fighter. Look at Mayweather, an incredible fighter, and a lot of what he does would be considered rough-housing. Andre Ward is a very experienced fighter who has seen it all in the gym and in his long amateur and pro career. People forget, this guy hasn't lost in like 10 years or so dating back to the amateurs. It isn't by accident, either.

looks like the votes are split even.

yes dirty and boring ....ward will never be a superstar not unless he goes the floydieboy way...whcih is trashtalk his way to it....without it, both will be noting but boring ass fighters! Well we need to see how good his chin is first.

when he has to b Agains kessler yes green no but do what u got to to win.. i can respect that bully n bite when u have to jus dont loose..