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Coming from a Brit, and a huge Froch fan; Ward did what he needed to do to win the fight so let's stop with the hate!
He didn't promise fireworks, he didn't promise blood, and he didn't promise a knockout. What he did promise was a win, and he stayed true to his word.
Andre Ward has always fought as a stylistic boxer/counter puncher with a level of intangibles only rivalled by none other than Carl Froch. Simply put, he has a level of skill, heart, and determination that is rare in any sport, let alone boxing. He fights methodically, breaks down his opponents, and never strays from his gameplan, this makes him a very difficult code to crack. It's up to his opponents to find his weaknesses and expose them, and if they can't do it...well too bad. Why should Ward put himself at a disadvantage in an effort to appeal more fan friendly? He may not be the most entertaining boxer, but it's not up to him to make a boxing match a 'war' that's his opponents job.
Froch couldn't assert himself fully last night to make Ward fight out of his comfort-zone and trade punches. If anybody is to blame for the fight being dull, it's Froch, simply because he couldn't exert his usual tenacity and strength onto the far better man.
So let's stop the 'Ward is boring', 'Ward is a dirty fighter', 'Ward never fights out of his hometown' accusations. Ward did what he needed to do, and I respect him for that. He is truly a top 5 p4p fighter, maybe even top 3, and he deserves all the credit and recognition that the boxing public can spare to give. Froch should be commended also. He simply lost to the better man. Hopefully he can change some things in his arsenal and come back even stronger. Today though, Ward is the winner, and has a very bright future ahead of him!
He didn't promise fireworks, he didn't promise blood, and he didn't promise a knockout. What he did promise was a win, and he stayed true to his word.
Andre Ward has always fought as a stylistic boxer/counter puncher with a level of intangibles only rivalled by none other than Carl Froch. Simply put, he has a level of skill, heart, and determination that is rare in any sport, let alone boxing. He fights methodically, breaks down his opponents, and never strays from his gameplan, this makes him a very difficult code to crack. It's up to his opponents to find his weaknesses and expose them, and if they can't do it...well too bad. Why should Ward put himself at a disadvantage in an effort to appeal more fan friendly? He may not be the most entertaining boxer, but it's not up to him to make a boxing match a 'war' that's his opponents job.
Froch couldn't assert himself fully last night to make Ward fight out of his comfort-zone and trade punches. If anybody is to blame for the fight being dull, it's Froch, simply because he couldn't exert his usual tenacity and strength onto the far better man.
So let's stop the 'Ward is boring', 'Ward is a dirty fighter', 'Ward never fights out of his hometown' accusations. Ward did what he needed to do, and I respect him for that. He is truly a top 5 p4p fighter, maybe even top 3, and he deserves all the credit and recognition that the boxing public can spare to give. Froch should be commended also. He simply lost to the better man. Hopefully he can change some things in his arsenal and come back even stronger. Today though, Ward is the winner, and has a very bright future ahead of him!