Andre Ward vs. Rubin Williams

[Lampley]

I think this is an interesting bout next Thursday for the 168-pound division.

Ward had a very good 2007, stopping all of his opponents and looking much more confident and professional than he did his first couple years. He is developing a style suited for himself now, and Williams is a nice step up.

Williams, on the other hand, appears to be declined, or at least uninterested. He hasn't been very active and, when he's been in the ring, hasn't been very good. Still, he's an experienced guy who's been in against hitters (Lacy, Green) and won't stand in awe of a former Olympian.

Ward should take this, and if he does, he could headline a B.A.D. card later this year.


Here's a blurb on the bout:
________________


Ward to fight 'Mr. Hollywood' in S.J.

, STAFF AND WIRE REPORT
Article Created: 02/27/2008 02:36:12 AM PST

var requestedWidth = 0;
if(requestedWidth > 0){ document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').style.width = requestedWidth + "px"; document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').style.margin = "0px 0px 10px 10px"; } Olympic boxing gold medalist Andre Ward of Oakland will put his unbeaten record on the line against former world super middleweight title challenger Rubin "Mr. Hollywood" Williams in a March 20 bout in San Jose. The Ward-Williams fight will be the main event kicking off the fourth season of the "Fight Night at the Tank" series at HP Pavilion. The scheduled 10-round super middleweight contest will be televised at a later date on FSN's "Best Damn Sports Show Period."
Ward (14-0, 9 KOs), who turned 24 last week, will be making his fourth appearance as a pro at the HP Pavilion. Ward will be facing his "most formidable opponent to date" in Williams (29-3-1, 16 KO), according to Ward's trainer, Virgil Hunter.
"He's tough on paper and he's tough in person," Ward said of the 31-year old Williams, a Detroit native who lost to Jeff Lacy in his title challenge.

Super middleweight Francisco Santana (8-0, 4 KOs) of Santa Barbara will face Karim 'Hard Hitta' Mayfield (5-0-1, 5 KOs) of San Francisco on the undercard of the Ward-Williams fight.

[Illmatic]

Rubin Williams couldve been a titlist if he wasnt such a lazy fuck.

[sean]

poor old williams could not even hit a few lights on a stationary board his hand eye coordination was so shot , leanoard was worried for his health.

but nothing wrong as an opponent for a good prospect and ward will and should look very good , and williams will fight to survive and box conservativley and hopefully take home a good payday.

[marting]

I'm hoping for a solid performance by Ward. He's had a couple of fights early on where he looked a little susceptible to counters but I think he's evolving into a very good fighter.

At only 24 he could be a force in the super middleweight division. He might want to set his sites on some the Euro competition since they have a large contingency in this weight division.

[sean]

i never saw ward`s earlier fights , but what i have seen of him since , i have been impressed.

looks a natural fighter /great speed /punch variation/relaxation and able to let his hands flow fluently.

to many american fighters of late have become cautious saftey first and ward reminds me of the american type style i grew up with and enjoyed watching.

[marting]

i never saw ward`s earlier fights , but what i have seen of him since , i have been impressed.

looks a natural fighter /great speed /punch variation/relaxation and able to let his hands flow fluently.

to many american fighters of late have become cautious saftey first and ward reminds me of the american type style i grew up with and enjoyed watching.


He's got the goods and is tougher than some of the US pundits give him credit for. I saw him fight in Tampa and blow a guy out in the first round. In his next fight he got dropped pretty viciously by a relative novice Darnell Boone. Then the glass jawists came out of the woodwork.

I think he's going to be a lot of fun to watch. He's flashy but take chances.

[168 lbs]

Ward is the truth. He will stop this guy. Good step up fight too.

[Lampley]

I think Ward tried too hard to be exciting or something like Roy Jones, and now he appears more secure as a fighter. He's been attacking and throws hard, sharp combinations, and his defense also has become more sound.

Two years from now, I think he'll be a handful for anyone in the division.

Here's something else to consider: Given that so many of the guys hanging at 168 are punchers (Miranda, Lacy, Taylor, eventually Pavlk, et al), a guy who succeeds on speed will have a stylistic advantage. Down the road, if he keeps winning, I think Ward could pose a real challenge to Mikkel Kessler as well.

That's all hanging out there in the future, but for this year I'd like to see him win at least two notable fights and look impressive on an HBO card later on.

[Faetter_BR]

His knockdown against Darnell Boone - what's the story on that? Boone isn't exactly a hardhitter...

[Motor City Sam]

I like Rubin, who I met when I used to work out at Cannon Rec Center in Detroit, but he has been in decline. His skills aren't what they used to be, which is a shame. I expect Ward to take this.

[marting]

I think Ward tried too hard to be exciting or something like Roy Jones, and now he appears more secure as a fighter. He's been attacking and throws hard, sharp combinations, and his defense also has become more sound.

Two years from now, I think he'll be a handful for anyone in the division.

Here's something else to consider: Given that so many of the guys hanging at 168 are punchers (Miranda, Lacy, Taylor, eventually Pavlk, et al), a guy who succeeds on speed will have a stylistic advantage. Down the road, if he keeps winning, I think Ward could pose a real challenge to Mikkel Kessler as well.

That's all hanging out there in the future, but for this year I'd like to see him win at least two notable fights and look impressive on an HBO card later on.

Yeah he was a little sloppy in his early fights trying to fight in Jones's style. He is extremely athletic though and just needed to learn how to avoid the cheap shots.

I just hope he fares better than another prospect that I thought was the real deal, Anthony Thompson. Although I still think Thompson might emerge some day. He lost a tough split decision to Yuri Foreman even though he busted up Foreman's face pretty good.

[K0NPHL1C7]

Ward is the truth. He will stop this guy. Good step up fight too.

I agree 1005, we can all expect great things from Ward real soon. i see a title in his hands by Mid '09.

[1lehudson]

I told your guys a year ago that the American Supermiddleweights were coming. I talked about Pavlik when no one eles was, I mentioned Ward, Dirrell, McGirt Jr and Curtis Stevens who lost to Dirrell since then. By this time next year atleast one of these guys will be holding a title belt, along with Pavlik. all are 25 or younger.

[sean]

Yeah he was a little sloppy in his early fights trying to fight in Jones's style. He is extremely athletic though and just needed to learn how to avoid the cheap shots.

I just hope he fares better than another prospect that I thought was the real deal, Anthony Thompson. Although I still think Thompson might emerge some day. He lost a tough split decision to Yuri Foreman even though he busted up Foreman's face pretty good.

i to hope thompson gets some breaks.

the most fluent , pleasing on the eye fighter in the game today.
in europe he would have been groomed for stardom and money thrown at him.

[the_what]

Dirrell and Stevens are ass. Ward is the truth. :happy

[EpsilonAxis]

Last time I saw Ward I thought he was good but not great. Very good handspeed though, and I'm sure he's improved.

[Lampley]

Dirrell is talented but essentially set himself back a couple years after that dreadful performance on HBO. I have no idea what he could have been thinking.

[Galileo Galilei]

I think Ward tried too hard to be exciting or something like Roy Jones, and now he appears more secure as a fighter. He's been attacking and throws hard, sharp combinations, and his defense also has become more sound.

Two years from now, I think he'll be a handful for anyone in the division.

Here's something else to consider: Given that so many of the guys hanging at 168 are punchers (Miranda, Lacy, Taylor, eventually Pavlk, et al), a guy who succeeds on speed will have a stylistic advantage. Down the road, if he keeps winning, I think Ward could pose a real challenge to Mikkel Kessler as well.

That's all hanging out there in the future, but for this year I'd like to see him win at least two notable fights and look impressive on an HBO card later on.


We're on the same page here.

I thought Ward was trying too hard as well and now seems to be hitting his stride.

Good point about the style matchups he'll have at 168. He matches up good with a lot of the guys in the division.

Now the Kessler thing, boy thats hard to tell yet.

I think Kessler is a legite world class fighter and unlike a lot of supermiddles, he matches up well with Ward.

He has the jab, range, and height, things you need against someone like Ward.

Not ruling it out at all, Ward has tons of potential so he might just make for a future megafight with Kessler.

But for now, I think the Williams fight is a decent, but none to extraordinary, step up. I'll take it.

[Lampley]

We're on the same page here.

I thought Ward was trying too hard as well and now seems to be hitting his stride.

Good point about the style matchups he'll have at 168. He matches up good with a lot of the guys in the division.

Now the Kessler thing, boy thats hard to tell yet.

I think Kessler is a legite world class fighter and unlike a lot of supermiddles, he matches up well with Ward.

He has the jab, range, and height, things you need against someone like Ward.

Not ruling it out at all, Ward has tons of potential so he might just make for a future megafight with Kessler.

But for now, I think the Williams fight is a decent, but none to extraordinary, step up. I'll take it.

Oh, I agree about Kessler. He's the one guy whose style would trouble Ward naturally. His jab could prove decisive. I mentioned that, though, as a potential mega-bout far down the road, as you say.

Ward vs. Bute could be a nice one down the road as well. I like Andre's chances a little better in that one. First things first -- dispose of Williams.

[168 lbs]

I agree 1005, we can all expect great things from Ward real soon. i see a title in his hands by Mid '09.

With Kessler and Mundine still at their peak and Bute entering his prime mid 2009, Ward should not be pushed for a title so early. He will only be 25 with 18 or 19 fights and 168 lbs is a competitive division full of talent. More experience would be beneficial. Ward shouldn't make a title bid before mid 2010, I'd say.

[Lampley]

With Kessler and Mundine still at their peak and Bute entering his prime mid 2009, Ward should not be pushed for a title so early. He will only be 25 with 18 or 19 fights and 168 lbs is a competitive division full of talent. More experience would be beneficial. Ward shouldn't make a title bid before mid 2010, I'd say.

I'm probably between you two, if all goes well. Let's say he gets by Williams next week, the fights a couple times against non-descript opponents to stay busy, then takes another step up in the fall on a B.A.D. I bet he could get Jeff Lacy in the ring, and at this point I'd favor Ward to win that fight comfortably.

Then, another major fight in the spring of 2009, culminating in a title shot around the winter time. Regardless, he's an intriguing name at 168 because of both his obvious talent and the fact that his style is a problem-causer for a lot of the names already established.

[168 lbs]

I'm probably between you two, if all goes well. Let's say he gets by Williams next week, the fights a couple times against non-descript opponents to stay busy, then takes another step up in the fall on a B.A.D. I bet he could get Jeff Lacy in the ring, and at this point I'd favor Ward to win that fight comfortably.

Then, another major fight in the spring of 2009, culminating in a title shot around the winter time. Regardless, he's an intriguing name at 168 because of both his obvious talent and the fact that his style is a problem-causer for a lot of the names already established.

He is not going to become mandatory challenger as quickly as you assume even if he goes for it big time. No champ will fight a talented, unbeaten up-and-coming guy like him who hasn't got a resume or a name in a voluntary defence either. Ward is too good to be thrown in at the deep end. His time will come and when he arrives, he stays for good.

[1lehudson]

Dirrell is talented but essentially set himself back a couple years after that dreadful performance on HBO. I have no idea what he could have been thinking.Dreadful??? Wlad vs that other guy a few weeks ago was dreadful. Dirrell was fighting another good yound fighter. He looked pretty good.

Dirrell is not ass as one poster stated the guy is more skilled then Ward but he isnt as talented.

[Lampley]

He is not going to become mandatory challenger as quickly as you assume even if he goes for it big time. No champ will fight a talented, unbeaten up-and-coming guy like him who hasn't got a resume or a name in a voluntary defence either. Ward is too good to be thrown in at the deep end. His time will come and when he arrives, he stays for good.

I disagree. While the division is strong, there's always room for a fan-friendly American fighter with network support and Olympic gold pedigree.

Ward's fight next week will be No. 15. Jeff Lacy fought Vanderpool for the IBF belt in his 18th bout. By the time we're talking late 2009/early 2010, Ward will have had plenty of time and exposure to attract a title shot.

As long as he keeps winning.

[Lampley]

Dreadful??? Wlad vs that other guy a few weeks ago was dreadful. Dirrell was fighting another good yound fighter. He looked pretty good.

Dirrell is not ass as one poster stated the guy is more skilled then Ward but he isnt as talented.

It was a dreadful performance. Dirrell showed talent but had the crowd ready to run him out of town. He fought a very negative fight in a situation when he was on HBO and could have scintillated by outclassing Stevens.

He chose to clown and avoid confrontation, and now he's a basically a forgotten man. I actually regarded Dirrell more highly than Ward at the Olympics, but Andre has proved to be the more disciplined pro and a quicker learner.

Dirrell needs to get busy and win at least one decent fight this year.

[vargasfan1985]

i think this is a good test for ward since hes still young and all

ward by UD

[Maxime]

Interesting fight. Not that Williams is a world class 168lbs or anything. But it should give us an idea of where Ward stands in his development.

[168 lbs]

I disagree. While the division is strong, there's always room for a fan-friendly American fighter with network support and Olympic gold pedigree.

Ward's fight next week will be No. 15. Jeff Lacy fought Vanderpool for the IBF belt in his 18th bout. By the time we're talking late 2009/early 2010, Ward will have had plenty of time and exposure to attract a title shot.

As long as he keeps winning.

Still think you were right? Against Williams he showed he still had a long way to go, which is just fine, seeing that he's still young and inexperienced and all. Yeah, he's heading for shot at a title, but no sense in rushing him just yet. We want him to get there in one piece, win and keep winning, right?

[Cold Eel]

Apparently the crowd wasn't all that impressed again, but Ward is never going to be a blood and guts fighter.

Dirrell is going to be back on Showtime in a few months, against Tony Hanshaw.

[bigeddie27]

Well Ward totally dominated williams as expected, now I want to see him against a legit 168'er so all these esb'ers can shut the fuck up about how ward aint shit. I say bring on ward vs bika or ward vs bute - in my opinion he trashes them both.

[168 lbs]

Well Ward totally dominated williams as expected, now I want to see him against a legit 168'er so all these esb'ers can shut the fuck up about how ward aint shit. I say bring on ward vs bika or ward vs bute - in my opinion he trashes them both.

No, son, he would not. I'm not sold on Bute either; I think he's missing that killer edge and I doubt he's tough enough against the best, but our boy would get beat up bad by that Canadian right now. Ward is not blood and guts and technically he is not superior to Bute either. It would be nuts to throw him in with any of the big boys right now. He still got to work his way up against top 50, 40, 30 and 20 fighters first, before gunning for the contenders and the beltholders. Still a good way to go.

[Lampley]

Still think you were right? Against Williams he showed he still had a long way to go, which is just fine, seeing that he's still young and inexperienced and all. Yeah, he's heading for shot at a title, but no sense in rushing him just yet. We want him to get there in one piece, win and keep winning, right? I haven't seen the fight yet, so I don't know. It's good that he won, although it does sound as though he was a little ragged around the edges. Certainly, he does not need to be rushed. On the other hand, he's positioning himself for another step up over the course of this year. Looking forward to watching last night's fight.

[Arriba]

LOL @ Trashing Bute.

No sir...no.

Ward will be a very good one but right now he'd be lucky to last a full 12 with Bute.