OLYMPIC & 168 LB. KING DISAPPEARED
Andre Ward
San Francisco, CA– When Andre Ward won the 2004 Olympic Gold medal in Greece, it was truly the realization of a dream and the culmination of a lot of hard work sans any real financial backing. Truly going against the odds, Ward decided to compete in the Olympics at 178 and not at 165 lbs. This had to do with good friend Andre Dirrell fighting at 165.
POISED TO MOVE FLOYD OUT 3 YEARS AGO?
After dominating Carl Froch (now the hottest fighter at 168) and winning the Super Six Tourney in 2011, Ward seemed to in a position to make some superstar moves. But it didn’t happen and whether you want to blame his late promoter Dan Goossen or not, the injuries and time off because of such had a lot to do with Ward’s thwarted ascension to the the mythical ‘pound of pound’ crown said to be held by Floyd Mayweather.
ANDRE WARD KNOCKED DOWN IN COURT
Having been dropped a couple of times in court and by the California State Athletic Commission, Ward has been trying to leave Goossen-Tutor Promotions for a couple of years. The latest legal setback was this past August. Supposedly this is all about Goossen allegedly “cutting out” Antonio Leonard, a Texas based promoter who is tight with Ward’s management team headed by ex-music mogul James Prince.
TALKS REGARDING CONTRACT ONGOING
With Goossen passing away recently, talks have commenced between Ward and representatives of Goossen-Tutor. When I pressed one side of the issue he got a little flippant with this remark. “Things are being worked out and Andre will be fighting soon.” Seeing he hasn’t fought in a year and has had but two fights since Froch with one in 2012 and 2013, Team Ward need not be so touchy on the subject.
HAS ANDRE LOST THAT WILL?
There are those that think Ward is a “reluctant” warrior, while others say the real test for Andre Ward is unbeaten WBO light heavyweight (175) champion Sergey Kovalev. In my mind, the real test will be whether Ward can rebuild his career, albeit undefeated at 27-0, at the soon to be age of 31.
Pedro Fernandez