The United States, until recently has had a proud pugilistic history. Our champions, like Joe Louis, Ray Robinson, Rocky Marciano, Mohammed Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Mike Tyson, were and are more than fighters they are world figures. Our amateur programs are among the world's best. Thus, the Olympic stage, has traditionally been a clarion call to the the sports world of the next big thing. To win a gold medal is not only the very apex of a boxer's amateur career, it is often the best start to a professional career. So, naturally expectations are high, especially if you have that "It" factor that made the likes of Ali, Leonard, and De La Hoya so appealing and profitable.
Andre "S.O.G" Ward entered the ranks upon that well paved yellow brick road; great talent, stellar amateur record (110-5), and of course, a gold medal. Yet, with great accomplishments come great expectations, naturally. The critics started early and were relentless. Haters, from boxing insiders to the internet message board all declared Ward soft. Many believed his handlers were being too careful, by not pushing him faster. After all, he was the only boxer to win gold during the 2004 games in Athens, Greece. He was to be the next "Golden Boy." As one can imagine it requires a great deal of self assurance to stay the course or stick to one's vision, in spite of the naysayers; and from the looks of it, from where Ward stands now, as the run away star of the Super Six Super Middleweight Tournament, that vision has paid off. There is something very methodical and well paced about Ward's career for which we can now appreciate. The evidence is clearly in how he has managed to completely dominate everyone that has stood in front of him during this very exciting tournament. He has proven himself a complete fighter. Whether it was boxing the shorts off of the highly touted Mikhail Kessler, who was favored to win the tournament. In that fight Ward displayed spectacular ring generalship, movement, and combination punching. Whether it was his complete demolition of the heavy handed Allen Green, against whom, Ward showed intelligent aggression, by, smothering and pounding his supposedly stronger and more dangerous foe. Green was out of that fight by the third round when he realized Ward was far more than he could handle. Perhaps Mr. Green listened to one too many "experts?" Ward also showed that he could keep his cool in the midst of the ugliest matchup, when he faced off against the unorthodox and rugged Sakio Bika. This Saturday night Andre Ward will take on the hard hitting, yet, robotic Arthur Abraham. In my opinion this bout should be a culmination of his previous fights, in which the audience will see the various gifts of Andre Ward. I cannot imagine this fight being remotely competitive. Dangerous, absolutely. Abraham packs a hellacious whallop. But as Karl Froch and Andre Dirrell clearly displayed in their respective victories over him, all he has is a puncher's chance. However, it is a big chance and I can't see Ward taking him lightly despite his obvious advantages. Besides Abraham is desperate. He lost his last two fights, badly. That being said, unless Ward gets caught with something unexpected, he is not losing this fight. In fact, I predict a fashionable and runaway shut out, where we will witness Ward's full arsenal.A patient and meticulous regard for one's craft often produces such success. No fighter is perfect, but, Ward is among the few fighters today whose flaws are minimal at best. He has clearly positioned himself to be recognized with that class of fighters who are master craftsmen. A victory on Saturday night will move Ward into the finals, where a victory there will more than vindicate he and his handlers rock steady approach to his career; and perhaps serve as a model for up and coming fighters. A win might even cool the anxious networks, commentators, and scribes causing them to appreciate the science of the Sweet Science.
Copyright 2011
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