Andre Ward tips scales at 175 pounds

[Evander]

Alexander Brand 173.2 Pounds.

[gilgamesh]

Holy jeez. You mean Andre Ward weighed in right on the weight limit? What a story!!!!!

[Evander]

Just marking the card that Andre Ward can make 175 that's it.

[crusader]

Brand is only getting paid 30k apparently

[lazboy]

No ones been talking bout this fight. It popped out of nowhere. The HBO analyst Harold Lederman predicts an early stoppage by Ward.

[Lackeos]

This fight warrants discussion for how sh*tty it is. In the past 3.5 years, Ward has fought 1 mediocre contender with no hope and 3 club fighters with truly no hope in the worst way. Ward is an actual 1:100 favorite in this fight. Seriously, Adonis Stevenson's last 6 opponents have all been better than everybody Ward has fought / is about to fight in the same time span. How many more years is it going to be before he wakes up and realizes he used to be a boxer?

[Enlightened-One]

The Brand fight serves a useful purpose for Ward.

It gives him an opportunity to clear more ring rust, sharpen his skills, further acclimatise into the 175lb division, physically grow into a fully-fledged 175lb-er and also enhance his fitness levels.

When Andre fights Kovalev, we don’t want any excuses from either party as to the reason why they lost their zero.

The fans have a choice, they can either choose to stop complaining and not watch the fight… or they can appreciate the reasons for Ward facing a fighter that has only lost once (a split decision to arguably the second best 168lb-er on the planet).

For sure, Ward could have faced a better opponent, one that excites us all, but I guess it doesn’t make sense, so late in the day, to risk the November date for his super-fight with Kovalev.

[jamesmcdonnell]

My concern for Ward, is that he's done little to prepare him for fighting Kovalev, this level of competition can give a fighter a false sense of security, I know Ward is a class act, and he can raise his game, but will he be able to raise if far enough.

I'm still picking Ward to win a close and tough fight at times, but this certainly isn't the right preparation.

[Enlightened-One]

My concern for Ward, is that he's done little to prepare him for fighting Kovalev, this level of competition can give a fighter a false sense of security, I know Ward is a class act, and he can raise his game, but will he be able to raise if far enough.

I'm still picking Ward to win a close and tough fight at times, but this certainly isn't the right preparation.

I kind of agree with you, but as long as Ward’s fitness levels are high, his skills/timing are razor sharp and as he’s also "grown" as physically “big” as he can possibly be, then I suppose that’s the most we can ask for.

None of the 168lb-ers can punch like Kovalev, the Golovkin fight couldn’t be made and anyone associated to Haymon or Roc Nation won’t be able to face each other (comprising most of the men competing in the 175lb weight division), so I don’t see any possibility for Andre Ward to be (significantly) better prepared.

[Rexob]

Brand is only getting paid 30k apparently

That much! I bet he is rubbing his hands.

[Rexob]

My concern for Ward, is that he's done little to prepare him for fighting Kovalev, this level of competition can give a fighter a false sense of security, I know Ward is a class act, and he can raise his game, but will he be able to raise if far enough.

I'm still picking Ward to win a close and tough fight at times, but this certainly isn't the right preparation.

Ward will step up and box Kovalev ears off.

[littlepug]

My concern for Ward, is that he's done little to prepare him for fighting Kovalev, this level of competition can give a fighter a false sense of security, I know Ward is a class act, and he can raise his game, but will he be able to raise if far enough.

I'm still picking Ward to win a close and tough fight at times, but this certainly isn't the right preparation.

Ward will step up and box Kovalev ears off.

yep his fight against chilemba practically confirmed this

[Tony1244]

How the Hell do they come up with 85-1 odds?

When Ali - Liston was 8 1/2 to 1 they talked about the long odds for decades.

I think Ali-Wepner was 15-1.

85 to 1 really? Is this guy THAT Bad?

[Stuarty]

Nothing fight! Waste of bloody time!

[emallini]

The Brand fight serves a useful purpose for Ward.

It gives him an opportunity to clear more ring rust, sharpen his skills, further acclimatise into the 175lb division, physically grow into a fully-fledged 175lb-er and also enhance his fitness levels.

When Andre fights Kovalev, we don’t want any excuses from either party as to the reason why they lost their zero.

The fans have a choice, they can either choose to stop complaining and not watch the fight… or they can appreciate the reasons for Ward facing a fighter that has only lost once (a split decision to arguably the second best 168lb-er on the planet).

For sure, Ward could have faced a better opponent, one that excites us all, but I guess it doesn’t make sense, so late in the day, to risk the November date for his super-fight with Kovalev.

Somebody gets it

[brilo33]

ward is so good it is worth watching him spar

[gilgamesh]

My concern for Ward, is that he's done little to prepare him for fighting Kovalev, this level of competition can give a fighter a false sense of security, I know Ward is a class act, and he can raise his game, but will he be able to raise if far enough.

I'm still picking Ward to win a close and tough fight at times, but this certainly isn't the right preparation.

Ward will step up and box Kovalev ears off.

yep his fight against chilemba practically confirmed this

Chilemba is a respectable contender in his own right, and I mean Kovalev only lost like what 2 rounds to him? I guarantee you fighting a guy like Chilemba does a lot more to prepare you for a Superfight than fighting Alexander Brand does.

[brilo33]

Ward will step up and box Kovalev ears off.

yep his fight against chilemba practically confirmed this

Chilemba is a respectable contender in his own right, and I mean Kovalev only lost like what 2 rounds to him? I guarantee you fighting a guy like Chilemba does a lot more to prepare you for a Superfight than fighting Alexander Brand does.

Chilemba makes fighters look bad, i thought he beat bellew first time round, he is a live fighter

[littlepug]

Ward will step up and box Kovalev ears off.

yep his fight against chilemba practically confirmed this

Chilemba is a respectable contender in his own right, and I mean Kovalev only lost like what 2 rounds to him? I guarantee you fighting a guy like Chilemba does a lot more to prepare you for a Superfight than fighting Alexander Brand does.

Fair point just thought chilembas footwork and jab caused him problems and that's a strong part of wards game but maybe chilembas extra length (no jokes please !) helped him out there

[crusader]

My concern for Ward, is that he's done little to prepare him for fighting Kovalev, this level of competition can give a fighter a false sense of security, I know Ward is a class act, and he can raise his game, but will he be able to raise if far enough.

I'm still picking Ward to win a close and tough fight at times, but this certainly isn't the right preparation.

Ward will step up and box Kovalev ears off.

yep his fight against chilemba practically confirmed this

Confirms? Not at all, although I think Ward will probably win.

[Like a Boss]

The Brand fight serves a useful purpose for Ward.

It gives him an opportunity to clear more ring rust, sharpen his skills, further acclimatise into the 175lb division, physically grow into a fully-fledged 175lb-er and also enhance his fitness levels.

When Andre fights Kovalev, we don’t want any excuses from either party as to the reason why they lost their zero.

The fans have a choice, they can either choose to stop complaining and not watch the fight… or they can appreciate the reasons for Ward facing a fighter that has only lost once (a split decision to arguably the second best 168lb-er on the planet).

For sure, Ward could have faced a better opponent, one that excites us all, but I guess it doesn’t make sense, so late in the day, to risk the November date for his super-fight with Kovalev.

[Tony1244]

ward is so good it is worth watching him spar

"Sugar Ray Robinson box so good it make your dick hard." Richard Pryor

[Freedom2013]

Looks like virtually no one showed up for the outdoor press conference in Oakland.

Apparently they are now giving away tickets for tonight' s fight!

[Rexob]

Ward will step up and box Kovalev ears off.

yep his fight against chilemba practically confirmed this

Confirms? Not at all, although I think Ward will probably win.

That confirms it then.

[Oiky]

No ones been talking bout this fight. It popped out of nowhere. The HBO analyst Harold Lederman predicts an early stoppage by Ward.

was always going to be a boring, drawn out 12 rounder

war kovalev