When did it matter if a fighter fights at home if they are not getting gift decisions

[therealpugilist]

Andre Ward is lined up to face a decent light heavyweight in Sullivan Barrera

I believe he is in the top ten, I'd have to look it up but its a step in the right direction


I'm glad he is fighting soon because he has the potential to be a hall of famer, even an all time great from 168-175 with the right opponents and consistency winning


I for one was getting a little frustrated with his inactivity and wasn't too enthused about him fight Paul Smith last year but AYe gotta start somewhere


This is my rub: For the past few months people have complained about him fighting a scrub in his next fight and his inactivity, now we know he isn't fighting Murdock or those other guys and it will be in 2 months.....now they are complaining about him fighting at home.....for what? Why does that even matter when Ward hasn't been given a gift or awarded a win in a robbery when we have fighters all over the world high ******* major titles, only fighting at home, and their opponents not getting benefit of doubt by judges.

[Larry the boss]

When posters needed an excuse to discredit a fighter who outclasses all of his opponents..

[DreamerUSA]

A few factors play into it for me. This is'nt directed at Ward, just my thoughts on guys fighting elsewhere.

1. This is "world championship boxing", not whatever region you are from boxing.

2. Its about dollars as well. If you can make more money fighting a guy in his hometown, than that is what you should do. Not wanting to fight a guy from fear of being robbed is a ***** excuse. Robberies happen everywhere. Nothing new to boxing.

3. I like seeing a guy outside his comfort zone. Having to get the job done in a hostile enviroment is a skill in of itself. Shows me what a guy is made of. Its part of the reason I'm such a huge Mike McCallum fan. That dude was a straight road warrior.

[ИATAS]

I don't think the criticism is Ward fighting tune ups in Oakland. The criticism comes from the Super Six, fighting all of his fight in the US whereas everyone else had to travel to different countries. Whether it's fair or not I don't really care personally.

[Deevel916]

I don't think the criticism is Ward fighting tune ups in Oakland. The criticism comes from the Super Six, fighting all of his fight in the US whereas everyone else had to travel to different countries. Whether it's fair or not I don't really care personally.

This, plus it limits his exposure. Ward and his diehard fans wonders why he's not praised in the manner that he/they feel is warranted, yet he does nothing to try and gain more exposure. I guess they feel that by him fighting in Oakland guarantees ticket sales rather than him fighting elsewhere where nobody really cares to pay to watch him.

[daggum]

I don't think the criticism is Ward fighting tune ups in Oakland. The criticism comes from the Super Six, fighting all of his fight in the US whereas everyone else had to travel to different countries. Whether it's fair or not I don't really care personally.

yes this is right. froch had to fight in 4 countries, ward only in his own with most of the fights in his very hometown.

There is nothing wrong with fighting in your hometown if everything is on the up and up but ward is probably the worst example to use since he is known for clinching nonstop and headbutting without being punished. he also refuses to fight anywhere else because he's needs that security blanket of being able to clinch if the fight isn't going his way.

[therealpugilist]

yes this is right. froch had to fight in 4 countries, ward only in his own with most of the fights in his very hometown.

There is nothing wrong with fighting in your hometown if everything is on the up and up but ward is probably the worst example to use since he is known for clinching nonstop and headbutting without being punished. he also refuses to fight anywhere else because he's needs that security blanket of being able to clinch if the fight isn't going his way.

Like many of you address, he knows he isn't beloved like How GGG and Manny is/was....add in the fact he hasn't been very active the past few years and he has signed to a new promo team, they have to basically build his fan base again


Why does he need a security blanket when he hasn't had any close fights his entire pro career...all clear wins....I think you're reaching a little bro

[therealpugilist]

I don't think the criticism is Ward fighting tune ups in Oakland. The criticism comes from the Super Six, fighting all of his fight in the US whereas everyone else had to travel to different countries. Whether it's fair or not I don't really care personally.

how long are they gonna ride that horse....that was years ago and he was an up and coming contender....none the fights were close so it kind of kills the home town advantage

[therealpugilist]

When posters needed an excuse to discredit a fighter who outclasses all of his opponents..

Now that you mention it, they did the same thing with Mayweather fighting in Vegas.....Being home didNT help him with being nearly robbed versus Canelo...thanks CJ

[j0zef]

While none of Ward's fights were that close and a different locale wouldn't have made a difference, the objection is that it COULD have made a difference because of home cooking.

Look at Klitchko-Fury. Fury's on the record saying that when he got docked the point for rabbit punches, he thought he lost the fight because the German judges would never forgive him for that.

Judges are also susceptible to audience's response. The home crowd will downplay the visitor's hits and overreact when the home town fighter lands one. Judges are not supposed to, but everyone is human. It does make a difference.