WARD, STILL THE BEST AMATEUR SINCE 1976?
Oakland, CA-In a city of perpetual urban renewal, one that is starved for both athletes, and role models, 2004 Olympic Gold Medallist Andre Ward, is the man! After coming out of nowhere, and capturing Olympic Gold, the now 21-year old husband, and father of two, he has people talking about him once again. Only thing is, this time, the pundits that glorified Ward in Athens, are now talking behind his back.
WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS OF ANDRE WARD?, After being violently shook by a Kenny Koss left hook, in what was his third outing, people were whispering Andre, couldnt take a punch. In his last outing, Darnell Boone, put him on the canvas with a left hook. And while I can recall Muhammad Ali, his being knocked down by Sonny Banks, hurt by Doug Jones, and dropped by Henry Cooper, I dont recall the young Cassius Clay, having so many detractors.
SOME GUYS CANNOT MAKE THE TRANSITION
The transition from fighting amateur, an athletic event I liken to jousting with gloves on, to that of the paid ranks, is not an easy road for some to cross. The late Robert Wangila, a 1988 Olympic champion, he never made the crossover. I recall, promoter Bob Arum saying that, the Africans sent me his (Wangilas) brother. Of all of the Olympic champions that come to mind, that didnt make it, Wanguila stands out for me.
WARD HAS PEOPLE TALKING, JUST NOT GOOD!
While appearing with morning host Gary Radnich on KNBR, some months ago, Gary, whose father was a pretty good heavyweight of the 1950s, he threw water on the fire I was trying to start under Ward. Having watched him in the gym, and microscopically as both an amateur, and professional, I let Gary go. Hes just not performing with that Gold Medal look. Hes not a Ray Leonard type. I dont see what you do, Pedro, said the KRON TV Sports Director.
DETRACTORS TRYING TO BLAME TRAINER!
I was of the opinion, that Ward, is one of the most gifted fighters Ive watched came out of the Olympics since 1976. When Id watch him spar, circa 2002, it was clearly evident that he was head and shoulders above the best professional in the gym. Professional trainers, managers, and even some wise guys, they talk of Wards shortcomings, and point the finger at trainer Virgil Hunter. They say that Virgils doesnt have the knowledge of say, an Emanuel Steward. To compare a guy in his 30s to the Kronk Gym Goldfather, Steward, a former National AAU champ, and a man with 44 years of boxing experience, just isnt fair.
WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS OF ANDRE WARD II?
Having scrutinized the Koss fight, and the November 19th, match with Darnell Boone, where Ward was knocked down in round four, Ive got a couple of things that the Ward camp needs to address. Left hooks, Muhammad Ali, every time was knocked down, it was by a whistling left hook, that he didnt see, until impact. In the gym, Ward, he needs to go back to the basics, and that is holding that right hand in a guarding posit. In other words, he should train for a week with his right hand glued to the right side of his face. Andre also needs to spar with guys, that not only have a hook, but against guys that can throw it with both torque and power. This might involve a month or two of training, but at 21, manager James Prince, and promoter Dan Goossen, they both need to put the fights on the backburner, and bring in, or take Andre somewhere where he can be tested, roughed up, and schooled to an extent.
WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS OF ANDRE WARD III?
Besides the fundamentals, Andre Ward, he has to go back to fighting like Andre Ward. Look, all props to Roy Jones, back in the day, but Roy and Andre are as different as you and me! All that imitating of Jones, well it might make Wards co-promoter Roy feel good, but it is a recipe for disaster for the kid from Oakland. As gifted as Andre is, he needs to go back to being himself. Because at the end of the day, if Andre Ward doesnt fight his way, hell never reach the upper echelons of the middleweight, or super middleweight division.
Pedro Fernandez
Note: Mr. Fernandez is an award-winning writer, talk show host, and four time Golden Gloves champion. Comments pertaining to this article can be left below.