By Nick Bellafatto
Undefeated WBA/WBC and Ring Magazine super middleweight champion Andre “S.O.G.” Ward (25-0, 13 KO’s) of Oakland, California is a realist in that he’ll be the first to tell you that he’s a young pup who’s still a ways from his best days as a prizefighter, not yet becoming all that he’s going to become as he get’s ready to face arguably the most formidable opponent of his career in “Bad” Chad Dawson (31-1, 17 KO’s). Stated Ward, “I don’t feel like I’ve reached my prime. I feel like on my way to that,” and “these are the kind of fights that get you there.”
And becoming more is just what is called for here. For not only will Andre Ward have to grow during the course of action when he enters the ring against the owner of significant light heavyweight hardware, to include the 175 pound Ring Magazine and WBC title belts, but “S.O.G. in defending his status on home turf will have to surpass that of any of his previous efforts. For not only will Dawson be the lengthier fighter as was former opponent Carl “The Cobra” Froch, but Chad represents a more challenging set of circumstances.
The New Haven, Connecticut based champion is not only quicker fisted than that of Ward’ latest, or any other adversary, but as well “Bad” Chad can punch in tight whereas Carl Froch effectively could not, so that Andre may be on even terms in that respect if not at a hand speed and/or technique disadvantage. This could prove especially true as it relates to combination punching, as the challenger is considered more adept in that department which may essentially cause “S.O.G.” Ward to resort to tactics utilized in fights past, i.e. holding and hitting,
However, Ward’ strategy of at times bulling the opposition around the ring is quite useful in terms of wearing individuals down by way of adding his weight to their frame. All well and good for an often underestimated Andre Ward if allowed to do so, as he would no doubt have the advantage under such a circumstance in his bout with the visiting Dawson. But the functional word here is allowed.
Not only is it going to be terribly important who the referee is and whether he will permit Andre to wrestle his way to perhaps certain victory, but Andre himself has alluded to the fact that, “I’m preparing for a very, very physical fight, and a lot of the physicality is going to be initiated from me. There’s nothing going to be pretty about this fight.”
This no doubt further confirms that in Andre’ mind a victory by any means necessary is on tap. In light of that, this outing may turn out to be less than fan friendly, even though it’s Andre’ sincere wish to please his fans who may be as many as 19,000 strong at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California this Saturday night.
In contrast, Chad Dawson has succinctly stated that he’s sought a return to that of a “pure boxer.” “If I can keep the fight on the outside and just box him, it will be an easy fight. There’s no way that he can keep up with me by boxing, ”offered the light heavyweight titlist who will be venturing down to 168 pounds after a six-year hiatus.
So it seems the battle lines are drawn where two mentalities represent a clash of styles and an intriguing fight if indeed it plays out in the above fashion. And whereas many are undecided as to who they think will emerge triumphant or how things will in fact play out in what will be an emotionally charged affair once the bell rings, it’s hard not to favor Ward by virtue of the fact that he know’s how to win, more often than not “finding a way to get it done.”
After all, even though Ward openly states he believes this fight is “50-50,” the Oakland based pugilist hasn’t suffered a loss in over 14 years, once again making it difficult to choose against him. Suffice it to say though, there are no givens and this is just a terrific match up in more ways than one. For Dawson is perhaps just as his trainer John “Iceman” Scully referred to, “the best combination puncher in the game,” which bodes well in his confrontation with Ward who is not.
And for all of Chad’ successes within the pro ranks, there could be no bigger win than his victory over Bernard Hopkins, a crafty veteran who initially got under the newly crowned champion’ skin, in effect causing his talent to temporarily take a back seat. Until that is, Dawson had become more composed to let his hands do the bidding.
Essentially, the New Haven, Connecticut based fighter is feeling that he couldn’t be any better prepared for Ward and his potentially frustrating style as a result of confronting Hopkins on two separate occasions, so that “Bad” Chad, who in the past has looked tentative and self challenged at times, is counting on that being all but behind him.
With that said, I’ll be looking for Andre Ward to impose himself upon the challenger, with the ultimate aim being to prevent Chad Dawson from doing what he does best, getting his hands off. For as pretty as Chad’ combinations are proclaimed to be, the defending champion would reiterate, “ there’s nothing going to be pretty about this fight, and that’s what it boils down to. It’s about getting my hand raised, and like I keep saying, finding a way to get it done.”
What could be a further determining factor is that incisively Andre seems to have found his niche or comfort zone as far as his style, while Dawson has indicated that he had recently gotten away from himself, and that now he’s making his way back to becoming the “pure boxer” he once was. In light of that, “Bad” Chad is seemingly still coming to terms with who he is in a sort of identity search, while Andre appears much more settled in terms of how he approaches matters.
When things do go down, the visiting fighter needs to find out what works in short time, no less deliberate in his actions, otherwise he may become victimized by Andre Ward who feels his biggest advantage lies in his focus. “When that bell rings, I’m locked in, and that’s going to be the difference in this fight,” stated the ever confident Ward.
In addition to these sentiments, “S.O.G.” feels that the Dawson Camp may be underestimating him. “The biggest mistake that Team Dawson is making is when they look at the tape, nothing jumps out at them, nothing impresses them, and they don’t think much of me and we’ve used that in my preparation. They’ve given me some superficial compliments because they have to, but they really don’t think much of me. Obviously I’ve got an opportunity to change that when the bell rings September 8th.”
In the end, the winner of this all important bout may essentially be the fighter who limits, and/or takes advantage of the other’s mistakes. And as far as flaws go, which may lead to such potential mistakes, Dawson’ seem to be of the mental variety where he becomes frustrated or tentative, characteristics which prevent him from putting out offensively where he’s at his best.
For Ward, who appears to have expanded his short range game most recently, instead of angling away after a committed body attack, he rather seems to pull straight out, leaving himself vulnerable in such instances. Shortcomings on the part of both to be sure, the question being, who will recognize or take advantage of them?
Now despite the epic nature of this fight in that it’s between two divisional champions, perhaps unfortunately there is more than a remote possibility that Ward versus Dawson may not be the most appealing match of the night, much to the dismay of those who rightly consider this a bout of historical proportion.
That distinction may very well go to the co-main event where once beaten banger John Molina (24-1, 19 KO’s) of Covina, California is scheduled to square off with Tijuana, Mexico’ defending WBC lightweight champion Antonio DeMarco (27-2-1, 20 KO’s), who’s come from behind win against former champion Jorge Linares was not only considered a candidate for 2011 fight of the year, but it was simply a fight for the ages.
And judging from the comments made by these two warriors who are unlikely to take a backwards step once the action gets underway, my guess is that we may bear witness to nothing short of a yet another classic type confrontation at the very least. “I fight for my family and the people of Mexico, and this is going to be a great fight for the fans. John Molina is a tough fighter, and it’s going to be a war, but I will die in the ring to keep my WBC title,” stated the staunchly determined DeMarco.
Molina would counter; “this fight means the world to me. It’s what I’ve been dreaming about since I was 10 years old to win a world title. I’m going in their with nothing less than a victory. I think it’s safe to say the fight is not going the distance and it’s going to be a fight of the year candidate. He’s going to come to fight, I’m coming to fight, and I plan on leaving September 8th as the new world champion.”
As the day of reckoning rapidly approaches, boxing fans will soon realize the outcomes of this weekend’s attractions. With Ward not performing since last December, this is perceived as a disadvantage in that ring rust may prevent him from giving his best effort, although Andre intimates otherwise, while Dawson, busy as recently as late April, feels he will have a distinct advantage as the heavier man once he re-hydrates.
What lies ahead is uncertain, and that’s precisely what makes for a terrific match up. If anything is for sure in this bout for all the marbles at super middleweight, it’s that expectations are high for both a peaking Chad Dawson, and the 2011 fighter of the year Andre Ward, who looks to continue making the most difficult of tasks look ordinary.
“Ward vs. Dawson – World Champions – Made In America,” set to take place September 8th at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. The co-feature will see WBC Champion Antonio DeMarco battle John “The Gladiator” Molina Jr. in a 12-round fight for the WBC Lightweight title. Both bouts will be televised live on HBO® World Championship Boxing at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.
