Dawson's Reach a Big Factor?

Just like I thought, Ward worked around the reach advantage and found a way to win.

What about the fact that he hasn't fought a southpaw in 6 years? And it was Andy Kolle. Fair point. You could also add that Ward has NEVER fought a southpaw as skilled as Dawson in his entire life! If Andre starts getting tagged early, he might have to reexamine his approach and make adjustments. I think Ward is smart and versatile enough to make mid-fight adjustments. Many fighters ('cough' Manny Pacquiao) come into a fight with one mindset and their "plan B" is simply enforcing "Plan A". As long as Ward keeps his guard up and don't get careless early, I feel that by mid-fight, he will have made adjustments to counter any problems from the Southpaw. That is, of course, assuming Andre Ward still upright at that point. Lol

Can't see a KO. Ward's defense is too good, and he won't even try to KO Dawson. Not in his gameplan. Ward will have to neutralize the reach advantage to win. Fortunate for him, Dawson doesn't fight in a style that capitalizes on that reach advantage. He's more Paul Williams than Tommy Hearns. I see this being an In and Out fight, with Ward jumping in, ala the Froch fight, getting a few points, then jumping out before Chad can catch him. That said, if Dawson is focused, he could surprise everyone. He has that kind of talent. Though he doesn't have the versatility and adaptability that Ward has. Plus, being in Oakland, the spector of home-town refereeing, allowing Ward to make it ugly and hold, and home-town judging, could be a huge factor. Has anyone else noticed that Ward seems like the bigger guy? Not height, but he's bigger all around: neck, etc. Last thought: Dawson may feel comfortable at SMW early on, but how will he feel in rounds 8-12.

Chad has some pretty good uppercuts on the inside the Diaconu fight being the most notable example i remember. He isn't completely inept on the inside and is decent at reaquiring distance when you do manage to get inside. I would be suprised if Ward was able to consistantly keep the fight in close. Chad does throw some decent uppercuts inside, and very dangerous ones as well. I understand Dawson can fight on the inside, but frankly Andre Ward LIVES on the inside. His defense and subtle veteran moves impress me more every time I see him. I also believe Ward is a very intelligent guy who does his homework on legends who can fight in a phone booth. Fortunately he seems to have the versatility to adopt some of these practices in his own game. He almost reminds me of Hopkins, Holyfield, and Mayweather rolled into one. Although, maybe not on that level yet, Andre Ward has plenty of tricks up his sleeve.

I'm not so sure about switching stances when he's fighting Chad Dawson, who is a southpaw. Ward can catch him with some right hooks and even straight left hands since he's a converted, but Dawson should be the more effective one in the southpaw stance being that he trains with it. I believe both fighters are actually converted. A cross stance battle featuring two converted boxers, this should be interesting. You think Ward has what it takes to stop CHad? I actually DON'T think either guy scores a stoppage in this fight. I'm skeptical about Chad's ability to keep up with Andre's speed late, though. If his cardio and attrition are not up to par, a well-timed shot by Andre in the latter rounds could put Chad out. I doubt it though. Ward UD

Let me say that I believe Andre Ward wins this fight fairly handily. My question for all you boxing gurus is: How does Chad plan to use his reach effectively against Andre Ward? Conventional wisdom says you should use any and every advantage you carry with you to the ring, but I believe Chad's wingspan is JUST THAT. I could be wrong, but I don't see the longer man keeping Andre Ward on the outside and outboxing him with a solid jab and great boxing fundamentals. I think Chad's best chance is to pick Ward up on his shoulders and somehow body slam Andre to the canvas. Despite being smaller, I believe Ward will have his way with Chad on the outside due to his speed, AND Andre will at least hold his own inside with headbuts, elbows, etc. Does anybody see Chad's reach being a liability for him in this fight? If Andre stays in Chad's chest, Chad gets smothered by his own reach, IMO. Please chime in! Chad has some pretty good uppercuts on the inside the Diaconu fight being the most notable example i remember. He isn't completely inept on the inside and is decent at reaquiring distance when you do manage to get inside. I would be suprised if Ward was able to consistantly keep the fight in close.

Let me say that I believe Andre Ward wins this fight fairly handily. My question for all you boxing gurus is: How does Chad plan to use his reach effectively against Andre Ward? Conventional wisdom says you should use any and every advantage you carry with you to the ring, but I believe Chad's wingspan is JUST THAT. I could be wrong, but I don't see the longer man keeping Andre Ward on the outside and outboxing him with a solid jab and great boxing fundamentals. I think Chad's best chance is to pick Ward up on his shoulders and somehow body slam Andre to the canvas. Despite being smaller, I believe Ward will have his way with Chad on the outside due to his speed, AND Andre will at least hold his own inside with headbuts, elbows, etc. Does anybody see Chad's reach being a liability for him in this fight? If Andre stays in Chad's chest, Chad gets smothered by his own reach, IMO. Please chime in! What about the fact that he hasn't fought a southpaw in 6 years? And it was Andy Kolle.

I don't think there is enough difference in reach to matter. Ward could get around the small difference in reach with timing. I think Dawson has to use the fast accurate combinations he has used in some fights. He needs to move quickly and throw lots of punches. He needs to keep Ward on the defense and try not to let Ward hold and hit to much. I think Dawson is a better, faster and more accurate combination puncher than Ward and he takes a punch better. Ward is very strong and a master of wrestling, holding and hitting and infighting so he can't let Ward fight his fight.

ward will be able to box with him using his foot movement, feinting and angles. he will take away the reach one oculd argue dawson has better footmovement, feints and angles than ward and abdre has never fought a pure boxer who could use his reach before.

ward will be able to box with him using his foot movement, feinting and angles. he will take away the reach

Southpaws are taught to maintain some distance if they want to utilize the atypical angles of their stance. Add in how chill Dawson is, and it'll be a bad night for him if Ward manages to swarm him inside. Agreed, but let's not forget there are some who believe Ward is nearly effective fighting southpaw as he is orthodox, which takes some of Chad's unorthodox southpaw advantage away. I'm not one of those people. I think Ward should ALWAYS fight righty, and only switch if he MUST. Andre Ward UD or late stoppage over Chad.

dawson got a good jab so of course his reach advantage will be a big factor. we're not talking here of a paul williams type fighter.