Tweet
Originally posted by Tmann400
View Post
I like John, he seemed like a really layed back guy here on Boxingscene. All that being said, him, and especially Dawson definitely seem to have a completely wrong outlook on the kind of fighter Ward is, and I just get the sense they either haven't watched much of him, or they just have no idea what they're looking at, which is highly doubtful, so it's more likely they've either just watched one of Ward's fights, or bits and pieces of his fights. Because, Chad made a comment in an interview I believe saying "They say Ward's versatile, I don't see that, he's just a guy who likes to get inside and rough guys up." Which tells me they've probably only watched bits and pieces of his fights with Green and maybe Bika.
But, look at the Froch, Kessler and Abraham fights and you'll see throughout the vast majority of those fights he boxes, and counters fluidly and skillfully. Ward undoubtedly has the foot speed and footwork advantage IMO. Dawson, while he has fast hands and throws nice combinations, has VERY slow feet for someone who is as athletic as he is.
The reason he lost to Pascal was because he couldn't get set on his feet quick enough, and Pascal was just too quick on his feet. Ward doesn't move as much as Pascal usually, but he has better foot placement and footwork then Pascal, look at the Kessler fight, he was in and out with combinations so quickly, Kessler couldn't utilize his counter punching skills.
I think Dawson has slightly faster hands, but Ward will be sharper and better and quicker on his feet, and will be in and out on Dawson so quickly Dawson won't be able to get set to throw his nice combinations, and then in the second half of the fight, I expect Dawson to really slow down, and Ward will subtly take the fight inside and work Dawson over en route to a UD with scores like 116-112 and 117-111.
Dawson is a great fighter, and probably the most talented fighter Ward has faced. But to me, Ward is more battle-tested and seasoned against young, fresh, and primed fighters. Ward's just now starting to enter his prime, and with each passing fight in the tournament, he's looked more versatile, stronger, and more relaxed. The performance against Froch with a broken hand speaks for itself. And, since Froch destroyed Bute in 5 easy rounds, that has tremendously raised
Ward's stock for his win over Froch.
Also, as far as I'm concerned, Dawson's height and reach "advantages" really won't matter, Ward has short arms, and he's been fighting guys taller and longer then him throughout his entire professional and amateur career, including Makarenko, who was a tremendous amateur, and stood at 6'5", and Ward still beat him with relative ease.
Yes, amateurs and pros are different, but the point still remains that Ward has faced all kinds of different styles, sizes, skill levels, talent levels etc. and he has come out on top EVERY single time with relative ease since he was 12 years old, and with his amateur career and pro career combined he has a record of 140-5. So, since Ward has matured, and developed over the years he's never lost. You don't dominate world class, elite amateurs and professionals for 16 years straight without a loss without being something very special.
Can he lose? Of course, everyone can, but that doesn't mean it will happen anytime soon, Dawson is the ONLY guy right now in Ward's weight region that can at least give him a good fight IMO besides maybe Andre Dirrell, so if he gets past Dawson and beats him convincingly, there is no one else IMO, that could even give him a strong challenge, let alone come close to beating him, and I'd assume most would be inclined to agree.
This kid has literally cleaned out almost his entire weight class in under 30 professional fights, and is now fighting THE LHW champion 9 months removed from a VERY tough tournament, where he faced the very best there was to offer back to back. If that doesn't commend respect, especially in this day and age where boxers always look for the easy route out, then I don't know what DOES commend respect.
That's really all I have to say on Dre, Dawson and this fight. Also, everyone should praise not only Ward for jumping straight into such a tough fight after just coming off the tourney, but also commend Bad Chad as well for sacrificing his reputation, his status, and his credibility to make such a great fight. This fight is as raw and straight up old school as it gets. Thank you Chad Dawson, and thank you Andre Ward, you are truly respectable and great men and boxers.
But, look at the Froch, Kessler and Abraham fights and you'll see throughout the vast majority of those fights he boxes, and counters fluidly and skillfully. Ward undoubtedly has the foot speed and footwork advantage IMO. Dawson, while he has fast hands and throws nice combinations, has VERY slow feet for someone who is as athletic as he is.
The reason he lost to Pascal was because he couldn't get set on his feet quick enough, and Pascal was just too quick on his feet. Ward doesn't move as much as Pascal usually, but he has better foot placement and footwork then Pascal, look at the Kessler fight, he was in and out with combinations so quickly, Kessler couldn't utilize his counter punching skills.
I think Dawson has slightly faster hands, but Ward will be sharper and better and quicker on his feet, and will be in and out on Dawson so quickly Dawson won't be able to get set to throw his nice combinations, and then in the second half of the fight, I expect Dawson to really slow down, and Ward will subtly take the fight inside and work Dawson over en route to a UD with scores like 116-112 and 117-111.
Dawson is a great fighter, and probably the most talented fighter Ward has faced. But to me, Ward is more battle-tested and seasoned against young, fresh, and primed fighters. Ward's just now starting to enter his prime, and with each passing fight in the tournament, he's looked more versatile, stronger, and more relaxed. The performance against Froch with a broken hand speaks for itself. And, since Froch destroyed Bute in 5 easy rounds, that has tremendously raised
Ward's stock for his win over Froch.
Also, as far as I'm concerned, Dawson's height and reach "advantages" really won't matter, Ward has short arms, and he's been fighting guys taller and longer then him throughout his entire professional and amateur career, including Makarenko, who was a tremendous amateur, and stood at 6'5", and Ward still beat him with relative ease.
Yes, amateurs and pros are different, but the point still remains that Ward has faced all kinds of different styles, sizes, skill levels, talent levels etc. and he has come out on top EVERY single time with relative ease since he was 12 years old, and with his amateur career and pro career combined he has a record of 140-5. So, since Ward has matured, and developed over the years he's never lost. You don't dominate world class, elite amateurs and professionals for 16 years straight without a loss without being something very special.
Can he lose? Of course, everyone can, but that doesn't mean it will happen anytime soon, Dawson is the ONLY guy right now in Ward's weight region that can at least give him a good fight IMO besides maybe Andre Dirrell, so if he gets past Dawson and beats him convincingly, there is no one else IMO, that could even give him a strong challenge, let alone come close to beating him, and I'd assume most would be inclined to agree.
This kid has literally cleaned out almost his entire weight class in under 30 professional fights, and is now fighting THE LHW champion 9 months removed from a VERY tough tournament, where he faced the very best there was to offer back to back. If that doesn't commend respect, especially in this day and age where boxers always look for the easy route out, then I don't know what DOES commend respect.
That's really all I have to say on Dre, Dawson and this fight. Also, everyone should praise not only Ward for jumping straight into such a tough fight after just coming off the tourney, but also commend Bad Chad as well for sacrificing his reputation, his status, and his credibility to make such a great fight. This fight is as raw and straight up old school as it gets. Thank you Chad Dawson, and thank you Andre Ward, you are truly respectable and great men and boxers.
Comment