Andre Ward ''I've Earned The Right To Fight At Home''

[Hitman932]

All the top 168 guys need to agree not to fight Ward unless it is outside of his hometown.

Wish Kessler hadn't agreed to fight him there to be honest.

Kessler and Sauerland thought they were real geniuses landing a fight in the USA against a guy with no world class experience.

For them it was supposed to be a coming out party for Kessler in America and they were happy to do it.

Only after Kessler got his ass kicked did all this revisionist history start.

[MACAQUEINBLACK]

Abraham is the challenger and he's in the bottom half of the semi-final draw, he can suck it up.

[Pullcounter]

I could have probably fought him—Bute fought him from the outside and maybe made it an easier night, but I chose to stay more in the pocket and stay closer to him. It’s just kind of how the fight turned out to be - Andre Ward

then why didn't you fight him from the outside and make the fight easier???!!!

is it cause you have no plan b??? is holding and hitting all you now how to do!!!???

[borikua]

That's the only place he can gather a lil crowd.

[IMDAZED]

I know most of the flamers won't read the actual article but excellent stuff. Props to the TS.

[BattlingNelson]

Nice interview. Ward always comes through as a well-spoken gentleman.

I don't know how he has earned the right to fight at home. How do earn that?

[IMDAZED]

Nice interview. Ward always comes through as a well-spoken gentleman.

I don't know how he has earned the right to fight at home. How do earn that?

I don't even know what he's talking about. I guess he's saying that he's a top fighter and hasn't won his fights because of cheating by judges or refs so he should be able to do that. He's a rough and tumble guy in the ring but I don't think he's dirty, nor do I think he gets help from officials. I do, however, think fighting at home always helps, one way or the other--especially if you have the kind of mind and strength Ward possesses. If they can justify the gate being higher than maybe they have a point but if not I don't see why in the world the Abraham fight should be in Oakland.

[Sweet Jesus]

Kessler and Sauerland thought they were real geniuses landing a fight in the USA against a guy with no world class experience.

For them it was supposed to be a coming out party for Kessler in America and they were happy to do it.

Only after Kessler got his ass kicked did all this revisionist history start.

How quickly people forget that Ward and Dirrell were viewed as walkovers when the tournament began. They were two green Americans with no real experience that were only put into the tournament so it would have an equal amount of Americans and Euros.

That was before Ward and Dirrell started whooping Euro ass.

[BattlingNelson]

I don't even know what he's talking about. I guess he's saying that he's a top fighter and hasn't won his fights because of cheating by judges or refs so he should be able to do that. He's a rough and tumble guy in the ring but I don't think he's dirty, nor do I think he gets help from officials. I do, however, think fighting at home always helps, one way or the other--especially if you have the kind of mind and strength Ward possesses. If they can justify the gate being higher than maybe they have a point but if not I don't see why in the world the Abraham fight should be in Oakland.

Fighting at home definetely helps. If the crowd consistently boos when fouls and borderline fouls occur any human referee would enforce the rules. If the crowd is silent the referee wont be as observant of these issues. Ward benefits from that no question.

And I think Ward IS a dirty fighter. Leading with your head the way he does is a foul. It's not like he does it somewhat accidental. No it's part of the way he fights. Ie. He's a dirty fighter.

[Scary]

He is always great to read from, because he is well-spoken. But I really dislike the way he discredited Kessler for saying he got headbutted.

He's bullrushing in with his head first and clash heads with many fighters.

He's a good fighter, but he got a lot of questionmarks over his head right now.