I don't agree he has to beat the world's best 200 pounder to prove himself when he fights at 175. Actually he already proved himself at 168 and 175 and was number 1 PFP when he retired. I say this as someone who does not like Ward at all but facts are facts. If he comes back at his correct weight of 175 I think Bivol can beat him.
Yep everyone should move up 32lbs from where they started to prove themselves, apart from guys like Golovkin.
So now it matters more what weight a fighter started at than where they are currently? You must think usyk moving to hw to face guys 30+ pounds heavier will be the stuff of legends...or how bout pacquiao?
Ward moved down in weight to start his pro career...he was big at 168 to begin with. But yea, cw is a big jump and usyk is already a bigger guy for the weight, which is why ward won't do it. Not to mention, there's enough talent at 175 right now if ward was interested in "proving himself".
Ward was always carefully protected, who he fought, where he fought, etc. Somewhat akin to Canelo Alvarez. Both are very good fighters but not as good as they promote themselves. Ward would only take the Usyk fight if he felt strongly he could beat him, dictate the terms, and cash in on a big payday. Don't think he can get the money so it won't happen. Usyk isn't well enough known to warrant a big payday.
I'd pick Ward vs Usyk, if Ward got on the HGH train right now and the fight was in Spring 2020. Problem is, Usyk doesn't give two ****s about Ward. He's going after the big dogs, after Fury stomps Wilder he will probably retire again. So I look for Usyk to go up against a few other heavies before Joshua, but everyone is going to duck him. He should go up against Big Baby Miller, that'd be interesting.
All that said, Ward could beat him, and Porter has beaten him, but he's so small and it was so long ago, that it doesn't matter anymore.
Ward was always carefully protected, who he fought, where he fought, etc. Somewhat akin to Canelo Alvarez. Both are very good fighters but not as good as they promote themselves. Ward would only take the Usyk fight if he felt strongly he could beat him, dictate the terms, and cash in on a big payday. Don't think he can get the money so it won't happen. Usyk isn't well enough known to warrant a big payday.
The guy won the super six. And all boxing is negotiations.
Ward beat how many top 10 ranked p4p guys at the time he fought them?
USYK will be too coward to fight Wilder or Fury. Only aj since aj will pay for the chance to knock him out (will be good fight but size matters in boxing)
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