Very underrated by the casual fan, Roy Jones Jr recognized Andre's greatness, by giving him a verbal compliment by saying "If He Fought Ward while They Both Were In There Prime, It Would Be A Hard Fight To Win" Now this is coming from The Great Roy Jones Jr, Everyone Knows How Magnificent He Was In His Prime!
Roy is being nice and complimentary since he's no longer fighting, and I'm sure he meant it in part, but Roy in his prime would have beaten Ward, Roy was on another level of greatness in my humble opinion.
@@antonolufayo7804 yeah. don't have to argue with ward fan. just type ward dirty fighter and the first vid that came up is his headbutt and elbows compilation. second is him getting cornered and admit that he is a dirty fighter lol.
Boxing is like Jazz, the better it is the less people appreciate it is an understatement. Perfect description of Andre Ward, Pernell Whitaker, Floyd Mayweather, and Terrance Crawford. Fighters that methodically picked their opponents appart while receiving minimal damage in the process. Boxing isn't about so-called Mexican Style where two fighters stand toe-to-toe and slug each other in the head until one quits or gets knocked out. True lovers of the sport understand that the goal is to hit without being hit.
That is the reason boxing is a dying sport, because fans do not like jazz. You could not pay me the PPV rate of $79.00 to watch a Pernell Whitaker fight.
@@faithalone5081To hit and not be hit is the round by round objective and if it is achieved you get the win. I love knockouts also however not everybody is going to go down but in the process of outclassing your opponent by hitting him and not letting him hit you, you get the knockout are you not just as satisfied?
@@frankdixon4112 knockdowns are 10-8 round even if you get outstruk fighting specifically as an outboxer and counterstriking makes it significantly harder to ko people because you depend on straight punches more when people blitz in.
He has many similarities with the likes of Crawford and Mayweather, both of whom can fight in a number of ways. I believe one of the best attributes a boxer can have is the ability to change his style based on the situation and Ward certainly had that. His comeback against Kovalev in their first fight is testament to just how well-rounded Ward was as a boxer.
Everything is situational in boxing. For example you can't always be on the outside using the jab. Ward understood that as the opposition got better, so would the use inside fighting swarmer type attributes, before switching back. That's what makes him great, is that he understood that so well. "formless"
I had the pleasure of learning from one of his long time sparring partners for about 18 months. He passed SO much game to me especially about inside fighting and the pros and cons of fighting flat footed vs on your toes and most importantly WHY to use what tool.
His versatility made him a nightmare to prepare for. Would've loved to see his adaptability in matches mentioned. This has always been Mayweather Jnr's most remarkable ability in my eyes: to be able to adjust mid-fight to his opponents tactics to get the win. Great video
Brilliant breakdown of ‘The Master’ at work. So good to finally see the finer details of his style and technique properly dissected and understood. A lesson for all of us who want to improve as boxers. Big thanks🤙
I'm big Ward fan I can see you did your homework good job... I think you covered what there is to cover on techniques and tactics so I'm gonna add some qualities that played a major role in his success.... 1/ He's humble he's confident but not delusional he knows he has what it take but he's willing to do the extra mile. 2/ His mind is made up he's ready to do what ever it takes to secure the W. 3/ He may come along as a dirty fighter but he never initiate dirty tactics he just won't let get away with it he will retaliate and he's extremely creative when it comes to dark tactics. 4/ He live a fight of an athlete he's a family man very discrete you never hear bad things on him ...for me is the best role model in this era
That Edwin Rodriguez fight is one of the most impressive technical performances that I have seen. Rodriguez’ limitations allowed for it & gave Ward the platform to put everything to use, but all his work was delivered with such fine technique.
This assessment is accurate and hits home for me, because prior to me sparring etc. I thought Ward/Mayweather and maybe even Hopkins were boring fighters, but now I know different. Way different…
I’m a fan of the sweet science so I loved watching Ward fight. He made it seem effortless at times and his ring IQ was off the charts. I agree with you in that he would of done great in any era against any boxer. He is one of my absolute favorite fighters.
The dude retired at the start of his prime years & with a weak resume of only 32 fights. He’s waaaay overrated. I guess he had to get out before he was forced to face Beterbiev 🤷♂️
Great breakdown. I loved how he would beat people up at all ranges while neutralising their attack. To me I prefer that level of control to a quick ko. Please do a video on his inside work as you suggested that would be awesome.
Ward was one of the toughest fighters i have ever watched. His head down, blue collar, grind it out approach to breaking down his opponent is his best attribute in my opinion.
@@JuanFlores-yj3vx The gospel means “good news”. The gospel is the proclamation of who Jesus is and what He did for His elect only. The entire Bible (Old testament and New Testament) foreshadows and proclaims who Jesus is and what He did for His elect only (John 5:39, Luke 24:44). Jesus is the Son of God (John 3:16), fully God and fully man (John 1:1 & 1:14) and second person in the Trinity (Matthew 3:16-17). The gospel is God’s testimony concerning Jesus as revealed in the Holy Scriptures by the Holy Spirit which proclaims how Jesus the Christ (John 1:41, Matthew 16:16) was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23) and born under the law to redeem His elect who were under the law and save His elect from their sins (Matthew 1:21, Galatians 4:4). God’s elect /sheep are the people past, present and future from every tribe, tongue and nation God actively chose to redeem/ justify/save based on Christ. God chose in Christ before the foundation of the world was laid according to the good pleasure of His will for His glory (Revelations 5:9, Ephesians 1:4-5). God actively created and chose a people from every tribe, tongue and nation before they were born for salvation whom God has always loved because of Christ and only Christ (Romans 8). God’s elect are vessels of mercy prepared beforehand for glory to make known the riches of His glory (Romans 9). God’s elect/sheep are God’s chosen vessels of mercy that are Jews and Gentiles because of Christ. (John 10, Romans 9:23-26, Hosea 2:23) God is Holy (Isaiah 6:3). God’s law is holy and good (Romans 7:12). The law of God demands perfection in word, thought, and deed at all times (James 2:10). The law was given through Moses (John 1:17). The law condemned all mankind and brought knowledge of sin (Romans 3:19-20). All people are under sin and none are righteous (Romans 3:9-18). Sin entered the world through Adam and death through sin and death spread to all mankind because all sinned. (Romans 5:12-13). Jesus Christ is the Passover lamb without blemish (1 Peter 1:19) for His elect by God’s sovereign grace (1 Corinthians 5:7). Just as the Israelites were released from Egypt after the death of the firstborn (Exodus 11-13) - Jesus Christ the firstborn of all creation (Colossians 1:15) justified all His elect at the cross from the wrath of God(Romans 5:9-11). Jesus willingly went to the cross (Philippians 2:8) and offered one sacrifice for all time for His elect He sanctified (Hebrews 10:11-14) as their representative and High priest. Jesus was crucified for the elect’s sin and raised for their justification (Romans 4:25). It pleased God the Father to crush His only begotten Son( Isaiah 53:10) and God the Father accepted Jesus’ perfect sacrifice on behalf of His sheep( Acts 2:23) . Jesus paid His elect’s sin debt and there is now no condemnation for those who are married to Christ (Romans 7-8). By Christ’s knowledge He justified all His elect (Isaiah 53:11) and finished His mission (John 19:30). All of God’s sheep will believe God’s testimony concerning Christ because Jesus justified them by His perfect sacrifice on the cross. Not one sheep Jesus died for will perish. Jesus is the good shepherd. Faith(believing God’s testimony concerning Jesus) is the fruit of what Jesus accomplished for His sheep. God’s sheep are righteous before God by the imputed righteousness of Christ provided at the cross as prophesied in Psalm 32 and fulfilled in John 19. All Jesus died for are regenerated at God’s appointed time to believe God’s testimony concerning Christ on who Christ is and what He did at the cross( Acts 13:48).
One of the top fighters of my time watching boxing. Floyd, pac, ward, Alvarez, Crawford. If he ever made a comeback I’d like to see 3 fights 1 for warm up 1 step up & then a huge payday/Ppv like Canelo or GGG
@@lukev483 Negative. This is when being an actual Boxing fan comes through clown. Lil g was being praised as the greatest mw ever (false), he was the best great white hope. Media was begging Floyd to fight him. And Lil g himself was continuously calling out Floyd. Lil g said he would fight ANYONE from 154-168. Ward saw the nonsense, heard the statement and called him out. 3x. Ward was going to COME DOWN in weight for the fight. 160 to 168 is a single weight division btw. Haney is at 135. 147 is TWO divisions removed from Devin. Poor try.
@@ritzkola2302 Ward is the great black hope. He didn’t do shit his entire career. How many hall of famers did he beat? Maybe 1 if he is lucky. Ward retired early like a bitch. How many weight divisions did he conquer- 2 how was he considered P4p # 1 when he was a two division world champ and never undisputed? Pacquiao was a 8 division world champ but for a while Ward was ranked higher on P4p list. Ward had two or three fights at light heavy and never defended his belts accept to Kovalev in a rematch. Kovalev beat him in the first fight and fouls him for the win in the second. That is not greatness but bitchness.
8:35 people often called his inside fighting dirty but they’d be objectively wrong. He always was within the commands of the referee. You can actually see him glancing at the ref more than most boxers would. It’s bc he’s a genuine master at not just understanding the fighter but the ref. Every ref has their own tolerances on what constitutes a tie up. He finds the limit of that and goes right up against it. It’s one of the more misunderstood parts of his game bc it’s so frustrating to see how someone can deceptively inflict so much damage with zero space. Then, once he’s got it he would do this thing where he’d let the opponent think his arm is tied up then get their attention with a tap or small touch to the part of the body he wanted them to focus on . Then with the hidden arm he’d kept immobile to feign blocked, he’d land his big shot. Usually his free hand or the one he’s not striking with is visible to the ref . He’s not looking at the ref to try to cheat, he’s doing it to make sure the ref sees he’s not actually tied up he’s just inside brawling. It’s why most fighters who lost to him called him dirty until they played it back. He was a smaller LH fighter who dominated on the inside bc of how clever he was at this tactic.
Ward was like water. He was who ever he had to be to win the fight. Whether it was boxing from the outside or being a bully , he could wear any hat. He is more like Muhamad Ali than any fighter I’ve seen…in terms of knowing all the tricks Ward is smart too that’s why he retired when he did…i was always a supporter of boxers retiring around 30 fights.
@@lukev483 He was great in his era, remember none of the top named fighters didn’t want to fight him. A lot of boxers avoided him after the tournament.
@@GURILLAPUD His best win is a low blow to Kovalev and the first fight he was robbed in. Even Roy Jones JR who is really good friends with Ward said Kovalev won the first fight. Busted up Kessler really good with his head. Ward is a dirty fighter. One of the dirtiest fighters I have seen next to Salido and Evander Holyfield.
@@GURILLAPUD A record is just a record like you say, it doesn’t mean much. Ward doesn’t need any more credit than he gets for retiring early not defending his light heavyweight belts and beating a punch of descent fighters. He never beat one great fighter. I am not even sure Kovalev is going to the Hall of Fame. He is way over credited for his career or lack there of. Usyk already surpassed his career with less fights. Both two weight world champs, but Usyk undisputed in one and the Joshua win is a better win than Kovalev. The size difference, the way he won and everything else shows me that Usyk is better than Ward. Not to mention he went to their backyards to beat them while Andre refused to leave Oakland for his fights except maybe the Kovalev one may have been in Vegas. You also didn’t see the constant fouling from Usyk.
Class video, cheers mate. Ward defo one of my favourites in my generation. Could do it all. Even as a ‘pick him’ fighter, his combos were on point when he threw them. I love boxers that can do it all and he really could going in every direction. Infighting Duran style seems to becoming a lost art so great to see a great implement it at the e highest level more recently. He’d have given Canelo fits and would’ve pulled off the win in my book. Quality video thanks a lot
Dude this is like the third breakdown that just had me going "Oh yeeeeah....", "Yeah, that's true!", "Oh, man I never noticed that!" Great breakdowns - subbed.
Just beautiful. Some fans just don’t understand what they are seeing sometimes. I be about to cry because I can see what is going on, I can never do it but I see it
The jab is so amazing that I don’t understand why younger boxers don’t use it as they should. It’s incredible all the different ways Andrew W. Would suit but I’m just a fan of boxing, I don’t know much but I love to watch how greats use their jabs
Ward is a master at taking away his opponents strengths & exposing their weaknesses Great fighter with alot of grit, smart & composed under pressure to make adjustments Some people say he's a dirty fighter but I call it veteran tactics
I definitely Like and Appreciate Andre Ward's style. 100% a tactician and pugilist in the Ring, and one of the Best Boxers of the the last 20 years. Skill level is right on par with Floyd Mayweather's. Absolutely will be in the Boxing Hall Of Fame one day.
hey mate just discovered your channel and wanted to say keep up the good work, honestly don’t know how you don’t have a million subs but you’ll get there keep it up. also, up the scots 🏴🏴🏴
Left handed, orthodox majority boxer was genius and kept it a secret 🤫 and only switched stances in certain situations not to be flashy but slick and effectively landing with Precision 🥊
I just didn't like the fact that, the boxing ESTABLISHMENT used Ward's boxing acument AGAINST him. They labeled him as a BORING fighter, so the only way he could get the BIGGEST paydays of his career, was by taking on the greatest threats, like Kovulev.
You can’t be American. Because here we get to the point. Racism and boxing go hand in hand. American media wanted to build up white hopes and thus Ward, like so many Black fighters in the history of this country till today- suffered for it. Hell Floyd could’ve made $2B CASH if he was white. The hate, animosity, negative imaging is always put on Black fighters here. They’ll always be an excuse. With Floyd it’s “he only fights for money we don’t care about his skill. He didn’t even get knockouts.” With Wilder it’s “he gets knockouts but has no skill. We don’t care about him Boxing because of his daughters health.” With AB “he’s wild and immature.” With Ward “he’s boring. He’s a cheater and scared to challenge himself.” THERE IS ALWAYS a negative spin for great Black fighters in this country. Always.
Solid fighter! Only ever studied a couple of his fights but it shows he can utilise good punch variety, fight in both stances, can utilise forearm and arm control to prevent counters, has good footwork to create distance because you can either be to close or too far to get hit.
@@BoxingLife enjoying very much so! I understand your channel states you’re out of the UK but I was wondering around which region? My grandparents are from Galway and Aran Island’s so your narration I instantly enjoy very much!
I once considered Ward a dirty fighter. I called him the best MMA fighter in boxing. Then I learned how much grappling is a part of the sport and learned to appreciate his mastery.
Its not part of the sport. its allowed for the home fighter, the rules are only enforced against the away fighter. Ward got away with it his entire career. not just klitschko esque constant clinching, lets not forget about all the headbutts, the lowblows, the elbows....
if you haven't made that video about the use of the elbow on the inside you definitely should... I think the inside bag is a very underrated part of boxing..
Andre Ward is one of my favourite fighters. Theres this guy at my gym pressure fighter reminds me of Baby Bull Diaz. Just a non stop machine puncher. Everytime we would spar he would get the better of me. I didn't know what I was doing wrong so I watched the Ward vs Abraham fight used my jab more went to the body. Bent at the waist using evasive head movement. Long story short I went back to the gym and kicked his ass he doesn't want to fight me anymore after that 🤣
Great video 👍🏾 You should do some video of fighters from the Black & White era e.g. Sugar Ray Robinson Harold Johnson George Benton Archie Moore Joey Giardello Jersey Joe Walcott Joe Louis Sonny Liston Floyd Patterson Gene Tunney Ezzard Charles Willie Pep etc.
Andre's right shoulder was injured throughout much of his professional career I believe. Another reason why his jab, left hooks, and distance management became so good-- He wasn't quite fighting with his right hand tied, but he had to be mindful of how much he used the right, saving it for when it would count the most. Then he got surgery to fix his shoulder and reached a whole new level of performance. He's boxer's boxer, a legend. And while I'd sure love to see him fight again I'm glad he retired. That act too set an example for younger fighters-- Don't fight until your brain is mush. Get out while you're still healthy and enjoy your life with your mind and body intact.
Ward could of become undisputed 175 and at 190. I studied so many of ward fights...every situation I have been in sparring I just go watch ward fights.
🥊 @10:19 a thing of beauty. Experience built-in instinct to roll under the right hand then (while keeping his eyes up) adjust and roll under the following left hand with superb foot spacing and balance to them come back up and reset. 🥊
I've been practising his stabbing jab to the body and will be doing his simple jab advice for the next few weeks and see how I go. If it goes well I'll not only have it as muscle memory by then but I can try some of his other things
In the Last year of my amateur boxing i found really useful listening is figth and because of that i surprised à few guy by feinting or jabbing to the body and go to the head after! I really love is style.
First off I consider him an all time great fighter. But having said that, he m was beaten by Kovalev in their first fight. Just count the number of punches he ate each round vs how many he dished out and you’ll see he didn’t win as many rounds as Kovalev and he also got knocked down. It’s insane people don’t talk about it often, but Floyd called it out right then and he still maintains it.
