What makes you the A Side?

[Ivansmamma]

Ward has been trying to make that fight happen for over a year. GGG wants no part of Ward. Even Kovalev is apprehensive about fighting Ward, although more willing than GGG.

Ward is the A side. After 1 or 2 more tune up fights, he'll draw just as big and his resume is much better. GGG knows when he steps in with Ward he's going to get schooled.

If Ward is the one trying to make the fight happen, chasing Golovkin while Golovkin ain't that interested then it's hard for Ward to be the A-side, how do you make A-side demands if the other guy dosent want to fight you? I can't happen...

Same thing with Ward wanting to fight Froch again.. If you want the other guy more then he wants you then the other guy automatically has the upper hand in business negotiations and is the A-side business wise...

[CANELOLUJAH]

whos the draw is the A side.

simple.

[soul_survivor]

Me? Well I'm handsome, I'm articulate and I'm almost a world champion.

[StiffBlab]

If Ward is the one trying to make the fight happen, chasing Golovkin while Golovkin ain't that interested then it's hard for Ward to be the A-side, how do you make A-side demands if the other guy dosent want to fight you? I can't happen...

Same thing with Ward wanting to fight Froch again.. If you want the other guy more then he wants you then the other guy automatically has the upper hand in business negotiations and is the A-side business wise...

Mayweather picks his opponents, and he's obviously always the A side.

[brettWall]

When Canelo and Oscar walked away from the first Cotto negotiations, it effectively destroyed whatever A-side crap Cotto had. Oscar/Canelo could do it again in a heartbeat if Cotto persists on repeating his A-side crap. He'll end up looking for another non-lucrative fight or be forced to negotiate with Golovkin's people.

So Cotto/Alvarez should be a 50/50 deal.

[Mukuro]

It comes down to who has more career momentum and who needs who. Financials go hand in hand, but I wouldn't boil it down to just that.

In the case of Ward and Golovkin, I would argue Golovkin is the A side because there is a big buzz going on around him right now. He still hasn't had a defining win as a pro, but he is active, looking great, and drawing crowds. Ward obviously has greater accomplishments as a pro, but he is several years of inactivity removed from it. He has no momentum and doesn't draw water right now.

Ward NEEDS one of two things: a short string of fights against B level opponents in public view where he looks impressive (Smith was a fine start), OR a big fight to instantly put him back in the picture. I think he wants the latter. The problem is that outside of Kovalev (who I don't think Ward is in a hurry to fight), no big name fighters seem very interested. GGG showed interest at 164, but idk if Ward is down for that. For all the skill and past accomplishments of Ward, he just isn't in a good position career-wise right now. GGG would be the best fight for him. GGG has a name and momentum, and Ward has a good style and size advantage to try and take that from him.

GGG may not be fighting world-beaters, but he is staying active, looking like a killer and putting his work in. I think if he does not have a big name fight within the next year his hype will die down fast, but he has more options than Ward.

In short, GGG has more momentum, draws more money, has more options, and needs Ward less than Ward needs him.

[BrometheusBob.]

Just keen to see people's opinions on this?

Seeing as GGG has acclaimed himself the A side vs Ward? . . . But has he even earned the right to do so yet?
He has higher viewing numbers I think (correct me if I'm wrong) but has accomplished less. So who is the A side and what makes them that?. . . I know there's some obvious answers to this, but let's just have a discussion for the sake of it.

Generally, I'd say the bigger pull is the A-side. That will often, but definitely not always, refer to the fighter with the better resume. In this case, Ward is clearly the better resume as it has better names on it. GGG's resume isn't doodoo, he walked through reasonably solid contenders in Geale and Murray but obviously no Froch or Kesslers on his record. I don't know enough about the numbers, but it seems GGG might be the A-side based on having sold out the Stubhub and on his HBO viewership.

Still, I think the 164lb request was a pretty btich move. Looking forward to what Ward has to say about it. If Ward feels he can make the weight, great. But if he doesn't, hopefully GGG camp will be amenable about the weight.

[aldo5408]

Making more than one mill a fight

[StiffBlab]

It comes down to who has more career momentum and who needs who. Financials go hand in hand, but I wouldn't boil it down to just that.

In the case of Ward and Golovkin, I would argue Golovkin is the A side because there is a big buzz going on around him right now. He still hasn't had a defining win as a pro, but he is active, looking great, and drawing crowds. Ward obviously has greater accomplishments as a pro, but he is several years of inactivity removed from it. He has no momentum and doesn't draw water right now.

Ward NEEDS one of two things: a short string of fights against B level opponents in public view where he looks impressive (Smith was a fine start), OR a big fight to instantly put him back in the picture. I think he wants the latter. The problem is that outside of Kovalev (who I don't think Ward is in a hurry to fight), no big name fighters seem very interested. GGG showed interest at 164, but idk if Ward is down for that. For all the skill and past accomplishments of Ward, he just isn't in a good position career-wise right now. GGG would be the best fight for him. GGG has a name and momentum, and Ward has a good style and size advantage to try and take that from him.

GGG may not be fighting world-beaters, but he is staying active, looking like a killer and putting his work in. I think if he does not have a big name fight within the next year his hype will die down fast, but he has more options than Ward.

In short, GGG has more momentum, draws more money, has more options, and needs Ward less than Ward needs him.

Ward has Nike, HBO, Roc Nation, Jay Z and a US gold medal backing him. He could fight 2 taxi cab drivers in his next 2 fights and he will still be ranked top 5 P4P again.

Ward doesn't need GGG at all.

[ELPacman]

Being in the opposite corner of Floyd Jr.???