Andre Ward may not be the fastest or the strongest fighter today. He may not be mobbed by thousands, even hundreds of boxing fans if he were to enter into an arena. In the ring, he just gets things done and has been doing so against some of the best fighters in the super middleweight division. Even against fighters numerous boxing experts and writers (including myself) predicted he would lose to. Ward gets things done. Nothing flashy. No highlight-reel endings. Just outthink and outbox his opponents.
Now that he has 25 almost one-sided victories in his pocket throughout his professional career, world title belts, and a shiny Super Six: World Boxing Classic trophy to boot, one would think that Andre Ward expected to be where he currently sits: At or near the top of the 168-pound division.
However, Ward remains humble in a sport that at times, does not reward fighters who are humble or patient for that matter.
?I was not even picked to win this tournament. Then again, I wouldn?t have picked me,? says Ward.
Ward is familiar with that. He has heard it often throughout his professional career. One thing was winning Golden Gloves tournaments. One thing was winning an Olympic Gold Medal.
Very few people expected Ward to win world titles, let alone become a dominant fighter since turning pro seven years ago. It is almost as though he takes great pleasure in proving people wrong if one were to pick against him.
However, he never took anything written about him personal, unlike some athletes who may lose focus when they try to prove some people wrong when something is written about them.
?It was definitely motivating when I wasn?t picked to do this or win a tournament,? Ward told Fightnews.com on Wednesday. ?I needed that. (Arthur) Abraham, (Carl) Forch, and (Mikkel) Kessler were the favorites. Dirrell and I were kind of like the wild cards of the tournament and Jermain (Taylor) had a name.?
?My response was to put those predictions in the back of my head. I know that it is part of the game, but I didn?t want that added pressure. I?m glad I was able to deal with it and it allowed me to focus better.?
Two weeks after defeating Froch to win another world title belt and numerous accolades, Ward is relishing in his recent success. Having appeared on numerous television and radio shows and making his rounds in the media with promoter Dan Goossen, Ward has earned the right to speak his mind on the buildup, his training, and the opponents he has faced.
Even for a fighter in Ward that does not flamboyant or likes to talk a lot.
