Comments Thread For: Andre Ward's Perspective on Role Race Plays in How He is Covered

[Dean_Razorback]

first he says this

“I’ve got two eyes, two ears and I’ve watched the history of the sport. But where I have to stop myself is I can’t judge another man or woman’s intentions. And that’s where it’s tricky. I can’t say, ‘You’re this,’ or ‘You don’t like black fighters.’ I could be dead wrong"

then this

“And like I told you guys before the fight, they said, ‘Why do you have to win? What do you have to do?’ I said, ‘I have to win. Why? Because I won’t have a soft cushion to fall on. I won’t get the benefit of the doubt. And I’m not complaining, but I’m being honest with you.’ I said, ‘But if he does [lose], they’ll justify it and he’ll get the benefit of the doubt.’ And you see that. Have your opinion about the decision, but it’s extra stuff that comes on top of that. That’s why he wasn’t able to dig deep, because he knows he has a soft cushion to fall on. When you know you’re gonna hit that hard concrete, you do everything you can to stay up.”

i found this interesting. funny how he doesn't say why they are gonna justify kovalev for losing but not him

[Dreamking]

It has nothing to do with how you act right Ward?

[Dreamking]

many of them are members of this site

they identify with european fighters more so they root for them, even though they are not their countrymen

i think its inferiority complex.....they may not be racist but they dont want to see a white man lose to a black man....it does something to their psyche

Dont quit your day job, you make a **** psychiatrist :bukkake:

[GhostofDempsey]

The racial hatred in boxing runs deep on all sides, not just black and white. Yes, there are white Americans who will root for Russian Kovalev because he is white, just like there are blacks who get behind black fighters any time they are fighting an opponent who is not black. Nothing wrong with a little ethnic pride in sports, so long as it doesn't cloud your judgment to the point you discredit any fighter who isn't of the same race.

I observe a lot of blatant racism on this board from blacks who slam any white or Asian fighter, to whites who make harsh comments about blacks or Mexicans, and all that other nonsense in between. I see fans who make excuses for boxers of their own race, where they wouldn't make the same excuses for fighters of another race. So much hypocrisy and hatred that is rooted in skin color.

I respect Ward's take on the race issue in boxing. While I am not a fan of his boxing style, I respect him as a man and he has experienced racism from both whites and blacks. He didn't make an uneducated, emotionally charged statement like most fighters and fans, and he has certainly earned a right to voice his observations.

[Gary Coleman]

He's right......

Of course he's right.

Imagine a white American, Olympic gold medalist who's undefeated, P4P #1 and light heavy champ...

Yeah, exactly!

[Bronx2245]

The racial hatred in boxing runs deep on all sides, not just black and white. Yes, there are white Americans who will root for Russian Kovalev because he is white, just like there are blacks who get behind black fighters any time they are fighting an opponent who is not black. Nothing wrong with a little ethnic pride in sports, so long as it doesn't cloud your judgment to the point you discredit any fighter who isn't of the same race.

I observe a lot of blatant racism on this board from blacks who slam any white or Asian fighter, to whites who make harsh comments about blacks or Mexicans, and all that other nonsense in between. I see fans who make excuses for boxers of their own race, where they wouldn't make the same excuses for fighters of another race. So much hypocrisy and hatred that is rooted in skin color.

I respect Ward's take on the race issue in boxing. While I am not a fan of his boxing style, I respect him as a man and he has experienced racism from both whites and blacks. He didn't make an uneducated, emotionally charged statement like most fighters and fans, and he has certainly earned a right to voice his observations.

"He didn't make an uneducated, emotionally charged statement like most fighters and fans, and he has certainly earned a right to voice his observations."

This is why I have an issue with "how he is covered." Ward is not another Ali or Mayweather, but somehow he's presented as if he is. I really didn't notice it until GGG came along. As soon as that beef started, suddenly Ward was a villain. Only in America, would a U.S. Olympian become the bad guy, and the Kazakh would become the hero!

[therealpugilist]

certain posters deflect, deny, but its not that hard to spot

[therealpugilist]

"He didn't make an uneducated, emotionally charged statement like most fighters and fans, and he has certainly earned a right to voice his observations."

This is why I have an issue with "how he is covered." Ward is not another Ali or Mayweather, but somehow he's presented as if he is. I really didn't notice it until GGG came along. As soon as that beef started, suddenly Ward was a villain. Only in America, would a U.S. Olympian become the bad guy, and the Kazakh would become the hero!

our last gold medalist......has lost since he was 13......isnt a braggart like most people with his kind of talent and accomplishments....yet he is labeled a diva, coward, etc.....

they use his personality as a decoy...in interviews, you are asked questions and you answer them

he says things about guys like GGG, Canelo, more beloved fighters and their fans cant take the heat

Ward has class but they are looking for reasons not to like the man.

[therealpugilist]

Of course he's right.

Imagine a white American, Olympic gold medalist who's undefeated, P4P #1 and light heavy champ...

Yeah, exactly!

he would be covered as the best thing since sliced bread, and presented as the greatest fighter in the world and a future hall of famer

[Ake-Dawg]

first he says this

then this

i found this interesting. funny how he doesn't say why they are gonna justify kovalev for losing but not him

That's the beauty of it. That's why it's a thoughtful statement. The why doesn't matter and is argumentative. He is telling everyone that opinions and perceptions aren't facts...however the reality of having to deal with others opinions and perceptions is.