Time for Andre Ward to defend his title or be stripped

[Weebler I]

$1.3 is gross of payments to his manager, training team, co-promoter sanctioning fees, etc.

He can make a decent living off commentary but if he has to train 8 weeks and take punches to the face against the best fighters in the world he should be paid more for it.

I see a problem with that, it's just when he's asking for high paydays against opponents who are not the best in the world that I have an issue.

Andre Berto made more money vs. Robert Guerrero than Ward did in any of his fights. Ward fought a tough schedule and if its his goal to headline a PPV than he's earned that right to pursue it in my book.

Berto is overpaid but no one can deny that he is an entertaining fighter who has been involved in some FOTY candidates.

I also think there's an onus on fighters to promote themselves. Look at Victor Ortiz dancing with the stars and getting acting parts, Broner with his own youtube show, Mayweather has been a self-publicist in the past too. You have to show character as well as ability to cross over.

[STREET CLEANER]

The Weebler is on fire today

[illmaticfighter]

where was this push and desire to make calzaghe defend his titles against the best outside his hometown?

besides ward will be fine a guy with his resumes will get everything he wants.

he already has the respect he going to fight a tune up soon then get a ppv fight or a high profle fight and continue to run 168.

i can't wait till he moves up and becomes the best at 175 ward's script is already written.

[-PBP-]

0

I see a problem with that, it's just when he's asking for high paydays against opponents who are not the best in the world that I have an issue.

He didn't demand anything. He made a proposal and it got rejected and was counter offered with Edwin Rodriguez which he agreed to. That's what you call negotiations. You act like he threw a tantrum and is boycotting HBO because they didn't meet his "demands".

Berto is overpaid but no one can deny that he is an entertaining fighter who has been involved in some FOTY candidates.

Then why isn't Mike Alvarado paid like Berto? Because Berto is an Al Haymon hypejob that had the HBO machine behind him. It had nothing to do with his style.

I also think there's an onus on fighters to promote themselves. Look at Victor Ortiz dancing with the stars and getting acting parts, Broner with his own youtube show, Mayweather has been a self-publicist in the past too. You have to show character as well as ability to cross over.

Mayweather always talked ****. He was at his best when he was trashing Gatti before their fight. He became a star after he beat the biggest star in the sport at the time...Oscar De La Hoya.

And that's why Ward is going after Chavez, who is one of the stars in today's era in terms of popularity.

[SBleeder]

Guess that would make Wlad the WBA Super duper champion when he smashes povetkin.

Haye's the Duper Champion. Wlad can't become the Super Duper Champion unless he fights a unification bout with the Haye-Fury winner.

[MikeRo1972]

We are rapidly approaching a year since his last fight against weight drained Chad, and it'll be one fight in two years soon.

Ward has nothing pencilled in, and is seemingly looking for a bum fight anyways.

Sorry, I know the Andre Ward fans think he should get a free pass but I do not agree, he either fights a top 10 guy soon or he should hand over the belts.

He's been injured dummy.

[-PANDA-]

Both sides agreed on Rodriguez. I read the story the other day HBO put up 3 million and Ward reportedly offered Rodriguez 800k of it with the rest of the purse going to him.

It would possibly have been Rodriguez's highest payday although Di Bella disputes that.

Full story: http://mma-boxing.si.com/2013/08/26/...ng-next-fight/

I read the other day ago rodriguez signed with haymon and hbo doesn't do business with haymon anymore

it's still on the main page on 'bad left hook'

[BostonGuy]

Why can't Ward face Oosthuzien, Degale or Groves? Has HBO turned those fights down as well?

Andre Ward is a victim of his own inactivity. I get the sense from his actions that fighting a lessor known opponent (to U.S. fans that is) is somehow beneath him.

I rather see Ward fight 2-3 times a year against lessor known guys than for him to sit endlessly on the sidelines waiting for some marquee fight to materialize.

With this mentality it's no wonder why he's largely irrelevant and has little fan base

[Dirk Diggler UK]

Why can't Ward face Oosthuzien, Degale or Groves? Has HBO turned those fights down as well?

Oosthuzien looked like dog**** in his last fight. Groves is facing Froch. And they don't want to risk an embarrassing loss to DeGale.....obviously.

[BostonGuy]

Oosthuzien looked like dog**** in his last fight. Groves is facing Froch. And they don't want to risk an embarrassing loss to DeGale.....obviously.

Oosie had a flat performance in his last fight; but so what? He's a ranked contender, has an entertaining style and has already fought several times on HBO. I don't see this as a bad 'stay busy' fight at all - in fact, it could be a very entertaining fight