Rafael announces particulars of Ward HBO deal....

[BattlingNelson]

I watched that fight again the other day. I don't remember the flying skull but Kessler came to fight that night. Ward just had a brilliant gameplan.

I wouldn't be surprised if Ward gets rocked by one of these no-hopers. I thought he looked mediocre against Paul Smith. Obviously rust is at play (and age) but still.

I refuse to Watch the fight again.

Check out that round though. I remember how Kessler stiffened him up with a right and Ward retaliated with a butt (that barely missed).

As for the rest well there is always a chance. Some star-fighters do have a tendency to fight at the level of their opposition. I would never consider Ward in that category though. He seems way too professional and so does his team. Ward should krush these NeXT 2 Cans and then we can get the Kovalev fight. Thing is that I frankly don't see how these no-hopers in any way prepares him for the krusher. This might be a good decision business-wise, but career-wise I think it's foolish. My 2 c.

[IMDAZED]

I refuse to Watch the fight again.

Check out that round though. I remember how Kessler stiffened him up with a right and Ward retaliated with a butt (that barely missed).

As for the rest well there is always a chance. Some star-fighters do have a tendency to fight at the level of their opposition. I would never consider Ward in that category though. He seems way too professional and so does his team. Ward should krush these NeXT 2 Cans and then we can get the Kovalev fight. Thing is that I frankly don't see how these no-hopers in any way prepares him for the krusher. This might be a good decision business-wise, but career-wise I think it's foolish. My 2 c.

But is he still hungry? And how much has he lost during this time off? I'm not convinced but we'll see.

[The Big Dunn]

I'd like to see both of those fights, and Ward/Kov as well. I just am not of the belief that Wards "sometime next year" offer was in GGG's best interests. GGG has unifications on tap, and if I'm GGG, then even the possibility of getting the Cotto-Canelo winner is reason enough to pass on Wards so-called "offer"......

Respectfully, this is hard to believe. You (and other GGG fans) already believe he is the best MW without unifying. SO why is unifying so important now, especially when you feel belts are not important.

Everyone acknowledged Canelo/Cotto were not likely not to fight GGG before the PPV fight. Now that is didn't do so well, all of us are more convinced GGG isn't going to get the fight he wants.

Knowing this, I think its better for his career and fans to see him fight Ward rather than another MW that is a huge underdog.

[-PBP-]

All I care about is where and when so I can book my travel for Ward/Kovalev

[OnePunch]

Respectfully, this is hard to believe. You (and other GGG fans) already believe he is the best MW without unifying. SO why is unifying so important now, especially when you feel belts are not important.

Everyone acknowledged Canelo/Cotto were not likely not to fight GGG before the PPV fight. Now that is didn't do so well, all of us are more convinced GGG isn't going to get the fight he wants.

Knowing this, I think its better for his career and fans to see him fight Ward rather than another MW that is a huge underdog.

I also believe he will not get that fight, as the Cotto-Canelo winner will likely vacate, rather then get their face pushed in. Thats just my opinion though. If I'm GGG, or managing his interests, I have to wait and see what happens, and how it plays out. I would not give up my position based on a "maybe" fight next year. Anything can happen between now and then. And its not like the Ward fight at this point would have been some mega-payday or anything. That fight will still be there down the road. And if it isnt, then so be it.

And worst case scenario if Cotto-Canelo winner vacates, then GGG becomes full champ, tries to get the Lee-Saunders winner to unify and become undisputed, and I guess do the mando with Johnson (which is not thrilling). GGG wil make good money on HBO in full arenas, and maybe in 6-12 months Canelo grows a pair.

If not, then GGG could look up to 168 at Dirrell, Degale, etc, and ultimately Ward....

[Eff Pandas]

Well Fat Dan said it so its true now. Kovalev vs Ward coming up & with that news that means GGG vs Ward is more DOA than some people think....biggest problem is Kovalev vs Ward isn't coming up til damn near 2017 from the sounds of it. And at best that means Ward vs Pascal or maybe that Cuban cat will get a shot in the middle of this deal.

[The Big Dunn]

I also believe he will not get that fight, as the Cotto-Canelo winner will likely vacate, rather then get their face pushed in. Thats just my opinion though. If I'm GGG, or managing his interests, I have to wait and see what happens, and how it plays out. I would not give up my position based on a "maybe" fight next year. Anything can happen between now and then. And its not like the Ward fight at this point would have been some mega-payday or anything. That fight will still be there down the road. And if it isnt, then so be it.

And worst case scenario if Cotto-Canelo winner vacates, then GGG becomes full champ, tries to get the Lee-Saunders winner to unify and become undisputed, and I guess do the mando with Johnson (which is not thrilling). GGG wil make good money on HBO in full arenas, and maybe in 6-12 months Canelo grows a pair.

If not, then GGG could look up to 168 at Dirrell, Degale, etc, and ultimately Ward....

Come on One Punch, its the 3rd most lucrative fight out there for GGG. The most lucrative would be Manny and then Canelo/cotto winner-fights we all know he isn't getting.

Ward will make him more than Lee, heiland, Johnson, even Lara.

You have a potential matchup between 2 of the best in the world. HBO is blocking it. GGG fans are cool with him fighting huge underdogs and encourage him to keep staying active.

[BrometheusBob.]

I mean Clarkson would be a fairly easy fight but not a bad enough mismatch to get blocked by the NSAC.

[FBLM]

verbal agreement I dont like get it on paper!

[OnePunch]

Come on One Punch, its the 3rd most lucrative fight out there for GGG. The most lucrative would be Manny and then Canelo/cotto winner-fights we all know he isn't getting.

Ward will make him more than Lee, heiland, Johnson, even Lara.

You have a potential matchup between 2 of the best in the world. HBO is blocking it. GGG fans are cool with him fighting huge underdogs and encourage him to keep staying active.

Manny??? who said anything about Manny? Now you're being silly.

But to your other points, I'm not convinced that Ward "brings him more money" than those other bouts. Sure, the overall revenue would certainly be greater, but does that actually mean more money in GGG's pocket considering Ward would get 50-50?

Anyways, that part really doesnt matter that much. I just think it would be extremely foolish to walk away from the mando position at MW, for a "potential" fight next year against Ward.

We keep going over this. I get it. YOU would walk away from the mando position for a "possible" fight next year. I woudnt. I'd let the cotto-canelo thing play out first.

Its that simple. Why are we still debating this point?