Andre Ward
Andre Ward | |
|---|---|
 Ward in 2011 | |
| Born | Andre Ward February 23, 1984 |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | S.O.G. (Son Of God)[1] |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Super-middleweight |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Reach | 71 in (180 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 28 |
| Wins | 28 |
| Wins by KO | 14 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 0 |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's boxing | ||
Representing the  United States
| ||
| Olympic Games | ||
 |
2004 Athens | Light heavyweight |
Andre Ward (born February 23, 1984) is an American professional boxer[2] and the current Lineal/WBA(Super) super-middleweight champion, and former WBC super-middleweight champion. Ward was a gold medalist at the 2004 Summer Olympics. He won his first world championship in 2009. Ward was rated as the #2 pound-for-pound boxer in the world by Yahoo! Sports,[3] Sports Illustrated,[4] ESPN[5] and The Ring.[6] He was named Ring Magazine fighter of the year in 2011.
Early life
Andre was born to Frank Ward, an American of Irish descent, and Madeline Arvie Taylor, an African American.[7] Andre Ward's paternal grandparents were Harold Ward and Florence B. Ward.[8] His father inspired him by regaling him with stories of hard fought battles and triumphant victories. Given the choice to fight or pursue other sports, the young Andre chose boxing and became a world champion.
Amateur career
Ward started boxing in 1994. From 1998 to 2004 he did not lose a single match. In 2002, he won the Under 19 National Championship and was also a two time U.S. National Champion in 2001 and 2003 at Middleweight.
Amateur highlights
- 2001 United States Amateur Middleweight Champion
- 2002 Under 19 National Championship
- 2003 United States Amateur Light Heavyweight Champion
- Won the Light Heavyweight gold medal for the United States at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece becoming the first American boxer to capture gold in 8 years.
His results were:
- 1st round – Second Place at the 1st AIBA American 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament
- 2nd round – Defeated Clemente Russo (Italy) 17–9
- Quarterfinals – Defeated Evgeny Makarenko (Russia) 23–16
- Semifinals – Defeated Utkirbek Haydarov (Uzbekistan) 17–15
- Gold Medal Match – Defeated Magomed Aripgadjiev (Belarus) 20–13
Professional career
Early years
Ward made his pro debut on December 18, 2004 by scoring a second round TKO over Chris Molina. On February 5, 2005 Ward fought in his second pro fight against Kenny Kost. Ward overcame a rocky second round, in which he was hurt by a left hook, to win by unanimous decision. Ward defeated Roy Ashworth on April 7, 2005 by disqualification.
Ward won his next three fights, all by knockout, before going up against Darnell Boone on November 19, 2005. Ward was knocked down for the first time in his career in round four. Despite the knockdown, Ward went on to win by unanimous decision.
After the fight with Boone, Ward went on to win his next six fights, including TKO victories over undefeated Andy Kolle and Francisco Diaz. On November 16, 2007 Ward beat undefeated Roger Cantrell by fifth round TKO in Saint Lucia.
On March 20, 2008, at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California, Ward defeated Rubin Williams by seventh round TKO. Ward hit Williams with jabs and straight left hands almost at will, opening a bad cut over Williams' left eye in the process. The cut would force the referee to stop the fight.
Ward faced Jerson Ravelo on June 20, 2008, in Georgetown, Cayman Islands, for the vacant regional NABO super-middleweight title. Ward dominated Ravelo for the majority of the fight en route to a TKO victory in the eighth round.
On May 16, 2009, at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, Ward defeated Edison Miranda by unanimous decision. The scores were 116–112, 119–109, 119–109 for Ward. Ward showed he had an inside game as well as an outside game. Miranda couldn't stay up with Ward's versatility around the ring.
On September 12, 2009, at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California, Ward defeated Shelby Pudwill by TKO in the 3rd round.
Super Six World Boxing Classic
Kessler vs Ward
Andre Ward defeated Mikkel Kessler on November 21, 2009 for the WBA super-middleweight championship in the Super Six World Boxing Classic. Kessler was the strong favorite going into Showtime's Super Six tournament. In a career-defining performance, undefeated hometown favorite Ward put the U.S. on the board in the Super Six and captured the WBA super-middleweight title with a dominant 11 round technical decision over Denmark's Kessler in their Group Stage 1 bout.[9] The fight was stopped in round 11 due to cuts on Kessler's face caused by what was deemed unintentional headbutts by Ward. The fight went to the scorecards and Ward was far ahead by scores of 98–92, 98–92 and 97–93 at the time of the stoppage.
In January 2010 Jermain Taylor announced his exit from Showtime's Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament. The Ring Top 10 ranked super-middleweight Allan Green was selected as his replacement and challenged Andre Ward on June 19.[10] Ward, defending the WBA super middleweight title, outclassed an opponent who spent most of the fight with his back against the ropes. Ward defeated Green by unanimous decision on June 19, 2010.[2] Though the 30-year-old gamely fought on, the knockout he needed to win never appeared remotely likely and he looked a spent man by the end as he picked up the second loss of his 31-fight pro career.
Ward was exempt from the final preliminary fight in the Super Six because he had already secured a number one position in the elimination rounds and his designated opponent (Andre Dirrell) had dropped out of the tournament. Instead, Ward successfully defended his WBA super middleweight title, unanimously outpointing another Top 10 ranked super middleweight, Sakio Bika, in front of a sparse crowd at Oracle Arena on Saturday night. Fighting in front of his hometown crowd as part of a dual-site co-main event, Ward didn't land many big shots but repeatedly hit Bika with a stinging left jab that the challenger was unable to counter. Ward won all 12 rounds on one judges scorecard and was ahead 118–110 on the other two.[11]
Ward vs Abraham
Ward's next title defense came against Top 10 ranked super middleweight Arthur Abraham on May 14, 2011 in Carson, California. Ward started out slow with Abraham, trying to find a way to penetrate his tight defense. After a competitive first few rounds, Ward seized control of the fight, using his ring savvy and instincts to control Abraham. Although Abraham was somewhat passive at times, he gave an earnest effort and frequently threw combinations that were mostly blocked by Ward. Abraham hurt Ward a couple of times in the final round, but it wasn't enough to finish Ward, who had dominated the fight and won a lopsided unanimous decision.
Ward vs Froch
Andre Ward won the Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament in a bout against WBC super-middleweight champion Carl Froch. Ward and Froch were rated #1 and #2 respectively by Ring magazine, and the vacant The Ring super-middleweight title was on the line, as well as Froch and Ward's super-middleweight titles.[12] Over the first seven rounds, Ward outboxed Froch, successfully using his jab to neutralize Froch and beating Froch to the punch from a distance and at close range. In the later rounds, Ward seemed to take his foot off the gas, leaving Froch to win a couple rounds near the end of the fight, though they were close and fairly competitive rounds. The judges scorecards were 115–113, 115–113 and 118–110, all in favour of Ward. Ward won the vacant The Ring super-middleweight title and is also regarded as becoming Lineal champion with his Super Six World Boxing Classic win against Froch, despite some independent sources rating undefeated IBF title holder Lucian Bute #1 or 2.[13]
The World Boxing Council Board of Governors voted to make Ward "Champion in Recess" due to a broken hand Ward had sustained during the Super Six tournament.[14]
Ward vs Dawson
Ward's next fight was set for September 8, 2012 against Lineal/The Ring light-heavyweight champion Chad Dawson. The fight was at 168 lbs for Ward's super-middleweight titles. It ended in round ten with a technical knockout victory for Ward when Dawson asked the referee for the fight to be ended with the words: "It's over. I'm finished. I'm done."
In the first two rounds, Ward and Dawson felt each other out, with neither fighter having much success, though Dawson was able to land a few counter right hooks as Ward lunged inside. In the third round, Ward dropped Dawson with a left hook and dominated the round. Again in the fourth round, Ward was able to drop Dawson, in another dominating round. From fifth round until the end of the fight, Ward was able to neutralize Dawson's jab and work rate, seemingly out boxing and frustrating Dawson throughout. Then, in the tenth round, Ward dropped Dawson to a knee after a solid combination, which prompted referee Steve Smoger to stop the fight after Dawson could not continue.
Ward was scheduled to defend his super middleweight titles against former Lineal/WBC/WBO/The Ring middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik on January 26, 2013 at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, California. However, an injury sustained by Ward originally postponed the bout for 4 more weeks and the fight was expected to take place on February 23, 2013. The injury was more severe than originally thought and led to the cancellation of the fight as well as the subsequent retirement of Pavlik.[15]
On March 23, 2013 the WBC stripped Ward of the WBC super-middleweight title belt for being inactive for a long period of time, and for failing to face a mandatory challenger. They granted him champion emeritus status. Ward claimed a shoulder injury that required surgery was the reason for his inactivity, but the WBC claimed that Ward had not provided any medical evidence or even given them a rough availability date.[16]
On May 20, Ward relinquished the champion emeritus title, stating that he did not believe the WBC had the right to strip him of the world title because he was willing and able to defend it within the period specified by the WBC's rules. Ward was praised for standing up to the WBC.[17]
Ward vs Rodriguez
Ward spent most of 2013 recovering from injuries, and feuding with promoter Dan Goossen, over the inclusion of a co-manager in Ward's promotional contract. The case has been to court or arbitration on 3 separate occasions. Each time, Goossen was deemed in the right. Ward defended his WBA and Ring titles against unbeaten Edwin Rodriguez in Ontario, California in November 2013 with a wide unanimous decision. The fight started with rough tactics, until Jack Reiss made an unprecedented move... penalizing both fighters two points each, and warning them that he would end the fight if it did not clean up. Ward went on to dominate the rest of the fight.
Ward spent all of 2014 inactive, still feuding with Goossen. Dan Goossen died of complications from liver cancer in September 2014, leaving the future of Andre Ward's boxing career even further in doubt.
On February 19, 2015 the The Ring reportedly stripped Ward of his Ring Champion belt due to him not having defended his title against a top #5 contender in the last two years.
Professional boxing record
Titles in boxing
Major World Titles:
- WBA (Super) super middleweight champion (168 lbs)
- WBC super middleweight champion (168 lbs)
The Ring/Lineal Championship Titles:
- The Ring super middleweight champion (168 lbs)
Regional/International Titles:
- WBO NABO super middleweight champion (168 lbs)
- NABF super middleweight champion (168 lbs)
Special Titles:
- WBC Recess super middleweight champion (168 lbs)
- WBC super middleweight champion emeritus (168 lbs)
Filmography
- Creed (2015)
References
- ^ Powell, Jeff. "http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing/article-2074729/Andre-Ward-preaching-right-way-ahead-Carl-Froch-fight.html". Daily Mail. London. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
{{cite news}}: External link in|title= - ^ a b c Andre Ward's Professional Boxing Record. BoxRec.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-08.
- ^ Iole, Kevin (September 21, 2012). "Boxing rankings: Andre Ward moves into No. 2 - Yahoo Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
- ^ "Pound-For-Pound Top 15". CNN. May 9, 2011.
- ^ "ESPN's pound-for-pound rankings - ESPN". Retrieved February 27, 2013.
- ^ "Ratings by Ring Magazine". Ringtv.craveonline.com. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
- ^ "Andre Ward Remembers the Father Who Inspired His Boxing Career". HBO. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ "Frank William "Duke" Ward". Find a Grave. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Gonzalez, Edgar (November 29, 2009). "Ward defeats Kessler". MyBoxingFans. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
- ^ Tulsa's Allan Green Tulsa World accessed February 17, 2010
- ^ Rafael, Dan (November 28, 2010). "Andre Ward defeats Sakio Bika". ESPN. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
- ^ "Froch advances to No 2 super-middleweight". ringtv.craveonline.com. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
- ^ http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/supermid.htm
- ^ "Dirrell-Sjekloca For WBC Title, Ward is Champion in Recess - Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
- ^ "Andre Ward-Kelly Pavlik fight to be canceled, Ward to have shoulder surgery - ESPN". Espn.go.com. December 27, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
- ^ .com, Fightingnews. "WBC Statement on Andre Ward".
- ^ Iole, Kevin (May 21, 2013). "Andre Ward tells the WBC to get lost, and hopefully he is the first of many". Yahoo!. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
External links
- Andre Ward's Official Website
- Andre Ward's U.S. Olympic Team bio
- Boxing record for Andre Ward from BoxRec (registration required)
- Andre Ward's Official fan site
- A Fighter's Heart Andre Ward covered in this book by writer Sam Sheridan
- Recap of Ward's gold-medal winning bout in '04 by Sports Network
- A Fighter's Heart Andre Ward covered in this book by writer Sam Sheridan
- Scandal-plagued Victor Conte is back by LA Times
Titles in boxing
Major World Titles:
- WBA (Super) super middleweight champion (168 lbs)
- WBC super middleweight champion (168 lbs)
The Ring/Lineal Championship Titles:
- The Ring super middleweight champion (168 lbs)
Regional/International Titles:
- WBO NABO super middleweight champion (168 lbs)
- NABF super middleweight champion (168 lbs)
Special Titles:
- WBC Recess super middleweight champion (168 lbs)
- WBC super middleweight champion emeritus (168 lbs)
Filmography
- Creed (2015)
References
External links
- Andre Ward's Official Website
- Andre Ward's U.S. Olympic Team bio
- Boxing record for Andre Ward from BoxRec (registration required)
- Andre Ward's Official fan site
- A Fighter's Heart Andre Ward covered in this book by writer Sam Sheridan
- Recap of Ward's gold-medal winning bout in '04 by Sports Network
- A Fighter's Heart Andre Ward covered in this book by writer Sam Sheridan
- Scandal-plagued Victor Conte is back by LA Times
1920–1936: 160–175 lb (72.6–79.4 kg) · 1948: 73–80 kg · 1952–2012: 75–81 kg · 2016–2020: 76–81 kg | |
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- 1984 births
- Living people
- American people of Irish descent
- American people of African descent
- Light-heavyweight boxers
- Boxers from California
- Sportspeople from Oakland, California
- Sportspeople from Hayward, California
- People from San Francisco, California
- Winners of the United States Championship for amateur boxers
- Boxers at the 2004 Summer Olympics
- Olympic boxers of the United States
- Olympic gold medalists for the United States
- Olympic medalists in boxing
- Medalists at the 2004 Summer Olympics