POLL: Was "Irish" Mickey Ward a bum?

[Combat Talk Radio]

This is not a troll thread, I seriously want to know what people think. And I spelled his name wrong.

He lost the trilogy with Gatti. Second fight he almost ran into the turnbuckle like Hatton would later do against Floyd. Must be something with Irish in that weight range, since Steve Collins was immune.

The only other win I consider up there is Burton - and arguably, Ward got a major gift as far as the scorecards. Burton was pasting his face at will for half the fight.

He lost basically to prospects. Guys on the upswing that hadn't really broken out. Nobody was really "above" his level per se, except MAYBE Antonio Diaz.

Fought WELL past his prime date and racked up more losses than he should have but even when he was prime, I didn't see anything special.


Yes, a warrior. But what exactly makes him not a bum?

[chitownboxing]

This is not a troll thread, I seriously want to know what people think. And I spelled his name wrong.

He lost the trilogy with Gatti. Second fight he almost ran into the turnbuckle like Hatton would later do against Floyd. Must be something with Irish in that weight range, since Steve Collins was immune.

The only other win I consider up there is Burton - and arguably, Ward got a major gift as far as the scorecards. Burton was pasting his face at will for half the fight.

He lost basically to prospects. Guys on the upswing that hadn't really broken out. Nobody was really "above" his level per se, except MAYBE Antonio Diaz.

Fought WELL past his prime date and racked up more losses than he should have but even when he was prime, I didn't see anything special.


Yes, a warrior. But what exactly makes him not a bum?

His career earnings are exactly what would make him not a bum.

[Combat Talk Radio]

His career earnings are exactly what would make him not a bum.

So by your logic (career earnings measuring stick), Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Carlos Cuadras are both bums, since Ward made more than both of them put together. Right?

[chaosisme]

I guess it really depends on whether or not you consider journeymen to be bums. I do.

[HeadShots]

depends. If he fought GGG, he would be a bum. If he fought Floyd, he'd be a first ballot HOFer

[4truth]

He was a very very good fighter. Was he elite? No

[REdrUm0351]

The term "bum" tends to get thrown around too much. His career wasn't anything special and he certainly wasn't a elite or world class fighter. I guess it depends what you would consider a bum. I try not to call anyone who steps in the ring a bum especially when I haven't fought in a professional fight. I don't think it's right. He's most likely a glorified journeymen who inspired people with his grit. He definitely had the heart of a warrior though.

[Larry the boss]

Why would he be a bum?

[Spiegelo]

Well this is a bum ass thread. He certainly wasn't elite or hall of fame worthy, but words like "bum" and "coward" are typically thrown around by sad little boys who couldn't possibly achieve 1/100 of the accomplishments of the men they are attempting to describe.

I'd describe him as a journeyman or contender.

[_Rexy_]

The second fight Ward had a ruptured ear drum. And no he’s not a bum. Jesus that term is thrown around way too much.