Andre Ward: The Boxing World is Waiting to See if His Layoff Really Affects His Performance Saturday Night

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By “The Aficionado” Alan J. Kindred

When Andre Ward, 27-0, 14 KO’s, returns this Saturday night against Paul Smith, 35-5, 20 KO’s, will he still be the same elite pound for pound fighter he used to be? Having just one fight in nearly three years has many boxing people wondering how he will be after such a hiatus. Will he be hampered by the layoff with a lot of ring rust? Or will he return just where he left off improved with age like a fine wine? While this inactivity is nowhere along the lines of Ali or Louis’ hiatus (For not joining the military and joining the military respectively), it has definitely given a hyphen that will separate Ward’s career into distinct and separate parts. Let is now take a look at where Andre Ward has been and where he might be going in his career.

Legend has it Andre Ward has not lost a fight since he was twelve years old, and at thirty-one years of age now, it going on twenty years since he has tasted defeat as a boy. He has never yet tasted defeat as a man. Ward also has the distinction of being the last male from the United States to bring a gold medal home, in the 2004 Olympics. Ward began his career shortly after those Olympic Games and got to work compiling a 20-0, 13 KO’s record over the next five years. Then in 2009 he was invited to participate in a ground breaking boxing tournament held at Super Middleweight, called “The Super Six” that included high profile fighters along with Ward such as, Mikkel Kessler, Carl Froch, Jermain Taylor, Andre Dirrell, and Arthur Abraham. Later Allan Green and Glen Johnson would join the fray.

Heading into that tournament Andre Ward was far from being the favorite, and some boxing people even viewed him as the weakest link. After, all he had the least experience at the elite level. He had beat some decent fringe contenders in Darnell Boone, Rubin Williams, and Edison Miranda, but nothing close to the level of competition he would be facing in the tournament. In the first round of the tournament, Ward was match with one of the favorites, Mikkel Kessler. Ward surprised everyone with the ease he dominated Kessler. Roughing him up on the inside and breaking Kessler’s rhythm throughout the fight. This win announced Ward’s presence on the world stage and let everyone know that he was for real. After this win Ward went from the perceived weakest link to perhaps the favorite himself in one fight. Ward would defeat Allan Green and Arthur Abraham leading to the finals of the tournament (as well as mixing in a defense of his world title against Sakio Bika) against Carl Froch. Against Froch, Andre Ward was magnificent, showcasing a master class of boxing skill and IQ winning a wide unanimous decision to win the Super Six boxing tournament. Ward would then follow that win up with an even more scintillating performance. Chad Dawson who was the Light Heavyweight world champion decided to move down to Super Middleweight and challenge Ward for his world championship. The result was perhaps Dawson’s greatest performance to date after dropping Dawson three different times, and finally stopping and making him quit in the 10th round. Chad Dawson would never be the same after that ruination. That was nearly three years ago. After this seemingly pinnacle moment of Ward’s career is when the inactivity started, due mostly to promotional and managerial disputes. During this time Ward would fight just once defending his title against an over the weight limit, but undefeated Edwin Rodriguez. That fight was about nineteen months ago itself. Finally, Ward resolved some of his boxing business problems by ending his association with Goosen-Tutor promotions and aligning himself with the new, but very strongly financially backed, Roc Nation Sports, headed by rapper-businessman Jay-Z. That has led to Ward’s return to the ring against Paul Smith this Saturday night.

Ward’s bout against Paul Smith will be at a catch weight of 172 pounds, in between the Light Heavyweight and Super Middleweight divisions. After such a lengthy hiatus, Ward wants to see how his body feels before deciding in which division he will participate. Also the opponent Smith, while world rated and competent, is seen as more of a fringe contender. This is an understandable choice however as Ward is entitled to not face an elite in his first bout back. Smith has won the British championship at both Middleweight and Super Middleweight. He has however, tended to be on the losing end whenever he stepped up to the world level. He was stopped by both James DeGale and George Groves, although lost spirited affairs against an aging Arthur Abraham. His biggest wins have been of the domestic type. A win over Ward would be far and away the biggest of his career. The odds are very much in Ward’s favor in this contest despite his long layoff. He is expected to win and look good doing it. A lot of what Ward’s future depends on will be based on how he feels and performs on Saturday night. The decision as to which weight class he will compete in, is a very important one. This will determine which group of opponents Ward may turn his focus too.

If Ward decides he will return to Super Middleweight, the already heated debates about a match up with Middleweight destroyer Gennady Golovkin, 33-0, 30 KO’s, will get much hotter. Golovkin could move up to Super Middleweight, or they could even meet at a catch weight. One good thing about a lengthy lay off, is that it allows a cleaned out division to replenish itself of stars. After winning the Super Six, Ward had all but cleaned the division out. Now upon his return, there are many new contenders and potential superstars for Ward to fight. Among them include James DeGale, George Groves, and Gilberto Ramirez. Also after the given time, even a rematch with Carl Froch is intriguing. However it is also entirely possible Ward has outgrown the Super Middleweight division, and must move up.

If Ward moves up to Light Heavyweight to stay, it could be as equally appealing if not more so. The 175 pound division provides some interesting challenges for Ward as well. Champion Adonis Stevenson is there, the Krusher Sergey Kovalev is willing, Jean Pascal accepts all challenges, and rising star Artur Beterbiev, all would provide compelling match ups for Ward.

While some may argue Ward is already a potential Hall of Famer, he has the possibility of rising to a higher status if his return to activity is successful and planned right. If he were able to return to Super Middleweight for a few fights and then move up to Light Heavyweight he could collect an even more impressive resume. Could you imagine if he stayed at Super Middleweight and beat DeGale, Golovkin, and Froch in a rematch? Then moved up to Light Heavyweight and beat Stevenson, Pascal, Kovalev, and Beterbiev. He would then have one of the most impressive resumes in the history of the sport, if he happened to do all of that with his undefeated record still intact. It is also entirely possible he could receive his first loss as a man, running a gauntlet like that. This Saturday night is the first step in Andre Ward’s journey back towards greatness. Will Andre Ward be less great, as great, or even greater when he returns Saturday night? We shall see.

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