“Final big fight of this year this Saturday, Froch vs. Ward, save the best for last,” announced Big Steve as he joined me at Porto’s Bakery on Brand Boulevard for lunch:” For my taste, I really like super middleweights, because they hit as hard as heavyweights and move as fast as lightweights, but somehow these guys don’t enjoy the same amount of popularity as welterweights. It’s a sweet science paradox for sure. But tell me, do you think this tournament took too long ?”
Two years in the making, the first of its kind super middleweight tournament called Super Six World Boxing Classic is about to climax this Saturday in Atlantic City. Two champions, American, Andre Ward and British, Carl Froch advanced to the finals and will decide who the best super middleweight in the world is when they face each other in a twelve rounds prize fight which will be televised live by Showtime.
Former US Olympic gold medalist from Oakland, California, Andre Ward was considered too green when the tournament began in 2009. Ward came of age as a fighter as the Super Six progressed registering a break out, dominating, opening performance against then favorite, Mikkel Kessler. Two years of tough fights and solid wins, Ward comes into the final as a four two one favorite against WBC super middleweight champion, Carl Froch.
“A lot of people keep talking to me about being the favorite. We’re not the favorite, “said Ward (24-0,13KO’S) during recent press conference in New York:” I still have that chip on my shoulder, but that’s how we prepare. For some reason, there seems to be questions from Froch’s camp and the media about toughness, physicality, things like that. There’s a sense that I’m looking to squeak by in this fight. You don’t squeak by fights at this level. You take them and that’s what I plan to do.”
Throughout the long tourney Ward demonstrated improving boxing skills and his ability to adapt and find a way to win any fight. He can win a boxing match as well as a brawl or a tough inside fight. Many consider his style close to impossible to beat. His opponent, Carl Froch is not one of them. The only blemish on Froch’s record is a close decision loss to Mikkel Kessler, who subsequently pulled out of the tournament due to eye injury. But if you ask Froch, he considers himself undefeated. WBC champion does not lack in confidence department. “I guarantee you that you will not be disappointed with what you see on Saturday night,” said Froch (28-1,20KO) during the same press conference in New York:” I am in the best shape of my life.I’ll be trying to hit Andre Ward in the face – very hard and very often.”
The only contestant who hasn’t suffered an injury in a two year long stretch, hard hitting Froch believes that he is destined to win this tournament and rule a talent rich super middleweight division for years to come.
But not if Andre Ward has anything to do with it. Twenty seven years old American champion still believes that he does not get the credit and respect he deserves from fans and media alike.
“People will throw things out there – like I’m a ‘nice guy,’ which I am,” explained Ward:”He’s a family guy, which I am. And people will get caught up in the press what they read rather than looking at me for who I am. I’m a warrior.But people only give the warrior tag if you get cut every other fight or you’re in a Fight of the Year candidate every other fight. But I’m a warrior and I’m coming to win something and take something.”
They have saved the best for last. Tune in this Saturday night.
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Contact Igor Frank at axident@pacbell.net or follow me on Face book or follow me (Fightmonger) on Twitter
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