The fight was announced in June, with a rematch clause, and both fighters retained their undefeated records through interim bouts. He put my medal on. Then, in the tenth round, Ward dropped Dawson to a knee after a solid combination, which prompted referee Steve Smoger to stop the fight after Dawson could not continue. Seriously, guys like Mayweather, McGregor, and others behave like kids sometimes. For the loss, Dawson earned $600,000, whilst Ward had a total $1,367,500 purse. All three judges had the fight 120108 for Ward. [96], In front of 10,592, the fight ended with controversy in the 8th round with a victory for Ward. Thats a dangerous place to be. Arthur is strong, and he's a hard hitter, [but] we showed that we can win in a way other than our original game plan [] "I wish the ref had let me fight on the inside, because that's what I had planned for. CompuBox stats showed that Ward landed 80 of 238 punches (34%) whilst Kovalev landed more punches with 95 of his 407 thrown (23%). When Frank Ward took his nine-year-old son, Andre, to a boxing gym, he couldn't possibly have known that the youngster would blossom into one of the top amateur and professional fighters in the sport. We wanted to fight on the inside and on the outside, and we pulled it off tonight. [23] Fighting in front of his hometown crowd as part of a dual-site co-main event, Ward didn't land many big shots but repeatedly hit Bika with a stinging left jab that the challenger was unable to counter. There was also the great use of arm control where he would use his arms against the opponent to move out the way. Yet one face stood out. A devout Christian, he regularly visits places in his area such as schools, prisons, and youth facilities. I did some things well, but I felt I could have improved in other areas. 2023 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Andre Ward is knocked down in the fourth round by Darnell Boone during their middleweight fight on November 19, 2005 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. but this itself definitely gave Ward an advantage by giving him a much more powerful lead hand earning much respect from opponents. But is still an amazing lesson. "It was a classic hometown decision. Andre Ward H.O.F. Im on a mission. Andre Ward USA Lt. Heavyweight Champ Sweatshirt $ 80 USD. I wanted to be like that. 1030 Grant Street Southeast. This time leave the excuses at home." The same year Wards father died, he met his boxing hero, Roy Jones Jr., for the first time. Of course not. [citation needed]. Hed follow alongside me in his truck. This project would cement Atlanta as the new Hollywood, making the cost of living in our city outrageous. The venue was set up to hold 10,748. As Ward finished his workout, he offered to drive me around Oakland to the many homes where he lived growing up. But as most know, footwork isnt everything in boxing and it was in fact his lead hand that he would use alongside this footwork that really made him difficult to hit. Brand, who looked as though he came to survive 12 rounds, didn't initiate any action, which ultimately led him to lose all the rounds on the three scorecards. We told you this is what we wanted to do. Abraham, a former middleweight titleholder, had moved up in weight to join the Super Six tournament. Prevent defense in football is when the defense lines up their linebackers and defensive backs near the goal line to prevent a long pass. He shows up in a white Porsche a little after tipoff with his wife, Tiffany. [50][51] Dan Goossen died of complications from liver cancer in September 2014, leaving the future of Andre Ward's boxing career even further in doubt. He went down. Yet his role in boxing was never descended from Muhammad Alis brash hero, Mike Tysons villain, or Floyd Mayweather Jr.s Money-obsessed anti-hero. Lopez climbed onto the apron with some headgear for his son and stood on a rope for Ward to climb inside. For the fight, Ward earned $1.85 million and Barrera earned a $450,000 purse. Hes that good.. Ward to this day, is still the last man to win a gold medal at the Olympics. He dreads receiving another call like the one he received about his dad. I thought he was taking sleeping pills. I was better, and he was better this fight. Ward looked slow in the victory, not looking like the same fighter he was in 2011. I just came to visit, Dave! Ward shrugged. There was blood everywhere, on the walls and the floor. [Update: Ward easily beat Brand in a unanimous decision.]. Andre Vasquez easily retained his seat as 40th Ward alderman. In the first two rounds, Ward and Dawson felt each other out, with neither fighter having much success, though Dawson was able to land a few counter right hooks as Ward lunged inside. This isnt my life. Which doesnt mean I dont take it seriously. Truth be told, he doesnt have to. Ward described himself as a pick him type fighter in other words, he likes to pick you off and break you down with strong, accurate, and effective shots with a lower volume of punches. Everyone said he did everything wrong, but he got away with it, he said. We are a top boxing blog that brings you personal coverage on equipment reviews, training tips, fighter analysis, nutrition, news and motivation.I created Boxing Life simply because of a passion for the sweet sciencethe sport of boxing. I always wanted to protect their names and protect who they were. I whispered in his ear, Im going to finish what we started. Miranda said of Ward in the post fight, "I thought it was going to be easier, but it was tougher than I was expected. However, Wards footwork was exceptional at controlling his opponent. Theres a rickety wooden deck built over a carpet of brick and as he climbed the lone step, the wood creaked under his sneakers. Ward is not a brawler, despite all those knockouts. "[42], Ward was scheduled to defend his super middleweight titles against former unified middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik on January 26, 2013, at the Galen Center in Los Angeles. This type of defense is typically used before halftime or the last play of the game. Frank Ward, the son of an alcoholic, never touched a drop. Ward knew better than anyone what greatness required. In boxings family of messy, dark characters, Ward is a virtual unknown, despite his success. Get in here!, See? Ward said and laughed. I aint done with you yet!, Ward stepped out of the ring shaking his head and sat down on the stairs leading up to the ring. (404) 390-4075. Yet others will actually be happy to see a well known individual acting over the age of seventeen. Wards identity to those outside his private circle has been just as elusive as where he trains. Ward told me he grew up always thinking of his hulking father as Superman. The event produced a live gate of $3.3 million from 10,066 tickets sold, including complimentary tickets, the full attendance was announced as 13,310. Why didnt you move in with any of your relatives? I ask. He has been quoted saying he was influenced by the top trio of Roy Jones Jr, Bernard Hopkins, and Floyd Mayweather which I can definitely see in how he fought. Ducktail on the back. [47] The fight started with rough tactics until Jack Reiss made an unprecedented move, penalizing both fighters two points each and warning them that he would end the fight if it did not clean up. What a loser. As I mentioned earlier he would keep his head usually off centre line to his right, but would also sometimes change the level he would throw the punch. Boxing is like Jazz, the better it is, the less people appreciate it.. Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev have never headlined a pay-per-view fight, so it seems to make sense that the folks co-directing the promotion for their Nov. 19 light-heavyweight title bout on HBO . Where you going? As Wards parents descended into addiction, domestic violence, financial ruin, bouts of homelessness, and repeated stints in rehab, Hunter would become not only Wards trainer, but soon his godfather and temporary guardian. He's not exciting, after all. They did that to Roy Jones his whole career. EP 52: Heather Hardy and Ronica Jeffrey on Women Boxing, Tyson Fury On Brother Tommy: "If He Loses To Jake Paul Then Hes Finished With The Boxing", Boxing Insider Fight Night: 8 Rds. Your email address will not be published. The fight took place on May 14, 2011, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. I hope you enjoy visiting and can find something that will suit your boxing lifestyle. And has been reported that he hasnt lost a fight since being 12 years old. I reply that I believe hes the best boxer in the world. Its in a cul-de-sac on a quiet, narrow street. That same year, Ward was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring and the Boxing Writers' Association of America. Weve spent enough time on the past, Ward said. He eventually got his chance two years later, losing a unanimous decision. Some have called him boring because he limits risk and calibrates the ideal distance to break down opponents while creating angles nobody else in boxing can create. Im not really sure what your agenda is, he said. Abraham hurt Ward a couple of times in the final round, but it wasn't enough to finish Ward, who had dominated the fight and won a lopsided unanimous decision. Ward still has a copy of the sign-up sheet. Ward made his pro debut on December 18, 2004, by scoring a second round TKO over Chris Molina. Ward lives in Danville, California. He attended Hayward High School. That doesnt mean these individuals dont like flash. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. "I could never leave Oakland." His father remained a functional addict for years, but as his illness worsened the family home was lost. I've got to go look at the tape. Every time I spar or take big shots in my fights, I may not show it, but Ive taken some punishment. One day later, Frank Ward signed both his sons into the gym. In that two- or three-year span I could have lost it all. He would stay at the stance for too long. Kovalev said the fight could have continued, "I don't know. His mother would return from the streets looking for money. I think that Calzaghe felt that he had already beaten all the top boxers of his generation and was ready to retire - Ward is a lot younger than Calzaghe, so Joe may have thought that War. Ward recalled that the first violent confrontations between his parents began around the time he moved here. [63] Barrera was risking his IBF mandatory position in this fight. Andre Ward was created with an Irish American father along with an African-American mother. Boxing News", "Duva and Roc Nation start talks for rematch of Ward-Kovalev June 17 The Ring", "Sergey Kovalev indicates he signed deal memo for Ward rematch The Ring", "Andre Ward set to defend title vs. Sergey Kovalev in June ESPN", "Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev rematch set", "Ward agrees to give Kovalev rematch in June", "Andre Ward, Sergey Kovalev agree to rematch June 17 in Vegas", "Ward vs. Kovalev II: No Rematch Clause For Third Fight Boxing News", "Andre Ward, Sergey Kovalev purses revealed", "Andre Ward finishes Sergey Kovalev in eighth round, retains titles", "Andre Ward Stops Sergey Kovalev in Eight To Retain Belts Boxing News", "Ward vs Kovalev II: Andre Ward produces stunning stoppage win over Sergey Kovalev in rematch", "Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev 2 Disappoints Greatly On PPV Buys", "Ward-Kovalev Rematch Replay Peaked at 947K Viewers on HBO Boxing News", "Ward-Kovalev rematch underperforms at gate", "Ward-Kovalev Rematch: Paid Attendance Was Only 6,366 Boxing News", "Andre Ward says contract with HBO is up", "Ward 'leaving' boxing, says 'desire not there', "Andre Ward: American two-weight world champion retires from boxing", "Andre Ward stuns boxing world by announcing his retirement", "BOXINGTALK: ANDRE WARD ABRUPTLY RETIRES", "VIRGIL HUNTER MENTOR OL' G BOB EXPLAINS WHY ANDRE WARD IS THE MOST COMPLETE FIGHTER TODAY", "ANDRE WARD SAYS HE'S A COMBINATION OF ROY JONES, BERNARD HOPKINS, & FLOYD MAYWEATHER; EXPLAINS WHY", "Kovalev vs Ward: 5 keys to victory for Andre Ward", "The star of 'Creed' wants a sequel here's why it will probably happen", "Ward-Kovalev does just over 160,000 PPV buys, source says", "Andre Ward-Sergey Kovalev rematch flops on PPV", "Ward-Kovalev II predictably flops on PPV", Article about Andre Ward's involvement with Victor Conte, Olympic boxing champions men's light heavyweight, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Andre_Ward&oldid=1141337195, Winners of the United States Championship for amateur boxers, Olympic gold medalists for the United States in boxing, International Boxing Federation champions, World super-middleweight boxing champions, 21st-century African-American sportspeople, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2022, Pages with login required references or sources, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 2001 United States Amateur Middleweight Champion, 2003 United States Amateur Light Heavyweight Champion, Won the Light Heavyweight gold medal for the United States at the 2004, This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 15:17.