BoxRec

I think Virgil picked Barrera for a reason as Ward's first opponent @ 175 lbs. Barrera isn't a known fighter and he has only 17 fights at pros against poor opposition although is older than Ward with 2 years i.e 34 y/o. Barrera's amateur background is solid with wins over Chad Dawson and Beibut Shumenov.

On the other hand Ward is the guy who moves up in weight class after a long period of inactivity. What concerns me is more about Ward's mentally and physically shape. Ward has been wasted his best years of his prime and also due of this long period of layoff he may not be so sharp and strong as he used to be. Also I think he regressed as a fighter by not staying busy and keep having fights.

Ward's physical shape will be fine, and he is no smaller than Barrera. He may be a stronger guy in the ring. It is his mental condition which may be a concern.

Barrera was not a #1 on a Cuban team, so Ward of 2011 would beat him comfortably. Let's see how it goes with the current Ward.

ikorolev wrote:Ward's physical shape will be fine, and he is no smaller than Barrera. He may be a stronger guy in the ring. It is his mental condition which may be a concern.

Barrera was not a #1 on a Cuban team, so Ward of 2011 would beat him comfortably. Let's see how it goes with the current Ward.

Imo It's not about that Barrera is some kind of 175 monster like Kovalev is, it's more about Ward's shape. He may put a sublime performance against Barrera but also he may struggle with him. It's an interesting fight that will answer some questions.

Virgil Hunter talks about Ward vs Barrera fight :

https://youtu.be/fU9qSERnLWA

I may be in the minority but I do enjoy watching Ward box, he is pretty clever in there and has every punch (and butt) in the book. I hope the Kovalev bout comes off though I'd love to see Kovalev v Stevenson or Beterbiev first.

palooka wrote:I may be in the minority but I do enjoy watching Ward box, he is pretty clever in there and has every punch (and butt) in the book. I hope the Kovalev bout comes off though I'd love to see Kovalev v Stevenson or Beterbiev first.

First, Ward has to beat Barrera. It's Ward first pro fight @ 175 lbs against a fully fledged lhw with some power.

apollo creed wrote:

palooka wrote:I may be in the minority but I do enjoy watching Ward box, he is pretty clever in there and has every punch (and butt) in the book. I hope the Kovalev bout comes off though I'd love to see Kovalev v Stevenson or Beterbiev first.

First, Ward has to beat Barrera. It's Ward first pro fight @ 175 lbs against a fully fledged lhw with some power.

Yeah, I've only seen the clips of Barerra and he looks decent, I hope it's a good bout though there's no denying Ward's skill.

palooka wrote:I may be in the minority but I do enjoy watching Ward box, he is pretty clever in there and has every punch (and butt) in the book. I hope the Kovalev bout comes off though I'd love to see Kovalev v Stevenson or Beterbiev first.

Then I am in the minority with you

I would like to see Beterbiev v SOGgy (if he gets by Barrera) and Adonis v Krusher with the winners and losers facing off, in a perfect world.

Tanzio wrote:

palooka wrote:I may be in the minority but I do enjoy watching Ward box, he is pretty clever in there and has every punch (and butt) in the book. I hope the Kovalev bout comes off though I'd love to see Kovalev v Stevenson or Beterbiev first.

Then I am in the minority with you

I would like to see Beterbiev v SOGgy (if he gets by Barrera) and Adonis v Krusher with the winners and losers facing off, in a perfect world.

that would be a good scenario.

Tanzio wrote:

palooka wrote:I may be in the minority but I do enjoy watching Ward box, he is pretty clever in there and has every punch (and butt) in the book. I hope the Kovalev bout comes off though I'd love to see Kovalev v Stevenson or Beterbiev first.

Then I am in the minority with you

I would like to see Beterbiev v SOGgy (if he gets by Barrera) and Adonis v Krusher with the winners and losers facing off, in a perfect world.

Adonis will milk his trinket as much as he can till a mega fight with Ward/Kovalev happens.

Anyway, what are your thoughts about Barrera. Can he trouble Ward ?

apollo creed wrote:Anyway, what are your thoughts about Barrera. Can he trouble Ward ?

Not if SOGgy is anything near what he was v Dawson. That is the thing that makes this fight interesting, it is a barometer on where SOGgy is skills / gifts - wise.

Barrera is a legit test, but he is not fleet of foot and he does not have great hand speed. He could overachieve and make this fight very competitive if SOGgy has eroded at all. Barrera seems to have a decent chin, which signals that he will reach the final bell. He also has some pop, that seems to be more of an accumulative nature. If he can win as many as four rounds, it will bode well for his future and signal trouble for SOGgy v Krusher / Adonis / Beterbiev.

Tanzio wrote:

apollo creed wrote:Anyway, what are your thoughts about Barrera. Can he trouble Ward ?

Not if SOGgy is anything near what he was v Dawson. That is the thing that makes this fight interesting, it is a barometer on where SOGgy is skills / gifts - wise.

Barrera is a legit test, but he is not fleet of foot and he does not have great hand speed. He could overachieve and make this fight very competitive if SOGgy has eroded at all. Barrera seems to have a decent chin, which signals that he will reach the final bell. He also has some pop, that seems to be more of an accumulative nature. If he can win as many as four rounds, it will bode well for his future and signal trouble for SOGgy v Krusher / Adonis / Beterbiev.

Indeed, the big question is how much Ward eroded as a fighter.

Inactivity can hurt most fighters. Guys like Floyd and Andre are not most fighters, I highly doubt Dre will be anything but ready. Questioning his commitment or temperament for fighting is natural lately, but he will answer all that noise in the ring. Like he always does, and will continue to do for a long time.

SFW wrote:Inactivity can hurt most fighters. Guys like Floyd and Andre are not most fighters, I highly doubt Dre will be anything but ready. Questioning his commitment or temperament for fighting is natural lately, but he will answer all that noise in the ring. Like he always does, and will continue to do for a long time.

I'm just happy that he is stepping in with a decent opponent, unless, of course, he sustains an injury in the next six days.

Tanzio wrote:

SFW wrote:Inactivity can hurt most fighters. Guys like Floyd and Andre are not most fighters, I highly doubt Dre will be anything but ready. Questioning his commitment or temperament for fighting is natural lately, but he will answer all that noise in the ring. Like he always does, and will continue to do for a long time.

I'm just happy that he is stepping in with a decent opponent, unless, of course, he sustains an injury in the next six days.

Knowing Ward's history of injuries, I'd not be surprised if it happens.

Hope he's 100% ready for the action.

Ward will beat Barrera, then go on to beat Kovalev also. He is a very intelligent and highly skilled boxer, and I really doubt if the inactivity will hurt him much. Its not like he has been a couch potato eating chips for the last year or so. I think Ward is one of the best boxing commentators as well. A guy people love to hate, but one of the best.

Badhusker wrote:Ward will beat Barrera, then go on to beat Kovalev also. He is a very intelligent and highly skilled boxer, and I really doubt if the inactivity will hurt him much. Its not like he has been a couch potato eating chips for the last year or so. I think Ward is one of the best boxing commentators as well. A guy people love to hate, but one of the best.

Hate and legit criticism should not be conflated.

Ward is gonna fight with his mixed up style of head butting, holding and shoulder bumping and usual BS as long as he can get away with it especially when Berrera is on the inside.

Styles make fights. Barrera has a very underrated inside game. Ward was strong on the inside as a Super Middleweight, but look for Barrera to take away that inside game plan early and exploit Ward.

Also, go back and watch some of Barrera's old fights. It's hard to find even one round that he lost decisively to any fighter that he has faced.

I hope Barrera is tough as nails, and tests Ward. Personally I don't think it will be close, but Ward needs a good test if he plans to fight Kovalev. Ward fought 178? in the amateurs, so I think too much is made about the weight jump. He may end up being the bigger guy.

TooEasy12 wrote:Styles make fights. Barrera has a very underrated inside game. Ward was strong on the inside as a Super Middleweight, but look for Barrera to take away that inside game plan early and exploit Ward.

Also, go back and watch some of Barrera's old fights. It's hard to find even one round that he lost decisively to any fighter that he has faced.

Barrera is strong as they come. He's a big LHW.

Barrera looks pretty good from what I've seen of him and i'm in the minority of thinking Ward looked pretty stale against Smith.

I think Barrera will take it to Ward and make it close. I'm sure Ward will win, but Barrera will make it competitive.

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Barrera is a good fighter. Perhaps very good. He will beat a whole lot people at 175 and likely settle in as a backend top 5 guy in the division right there with Fonfara. To beat Ward tho, you can't just be good or very good. You have to be great. It's Ward's mind which makes him so good. On top of the physical skills - he is so damn smart in there. Basically a bigger Floyd.