Victorious Andre Ward Singles Out Golovkin, Hopkins and Chavez Jr. in Bid for Star Status Andre Ward is the best super middleweight in the world and, by most accounts, the second best pound-for-pound fighter in boxing. However, even after yet another dominant victory-a one-sided unanimous decision over Edwin Rodriguez on Saturday night-there are still plenty of dedicated critics around to keep Ward from the accolades he deserves. The question of why Ward is not a bigger star is an old one, and really, one that could be asked of just about any elite-level American fighter not named Floyd Mayweather. But the truth tends to get lost in the query of how an All-American, clean cut, God-fearing, Olympic gold medalist with elite-level ability isnt a superstar of the highest order. The fact of the matter, though, is that Ward does sit at, or near, the top of all American fighters (not named Mayweather) when it comes to ability to draw a live gate and generate solid TV ratings. Lost in the mish-mosh of pundits telling the world why Ward isnt a superstar is the reality that Ward is about as big of a star as can be expected these days without a niche ethnic or country-specific fan base. While fighters such as Miguel Cotto, Saul Alvarez, and Julio Cesar Chavez routinely post TV numbers higher than Wards, the undisputed super middleweight champ from Oakland is huddled right at the top of the list of top drawing American fighters. As of this writing, the TV numbers arent in for Wards bout with Rodriguez, but his first fight on HBO, against Chad Dawson last year, drew 1.3 million viewers-a figure on pace with numbers generated by other top American stars such as Bernard Hopkins, Adrien Broner, and Timothy Bradley. Yes, based on ability and level of opposition, Ward should be a superstar, but its not like hes putting up test pattern numbers when compared to his peers. If the TV numbers are to be believed, Ward is among the top five Americans in drawing power-maybe even top two, depending on last Saturdays numbers. Its just that its not a very good time to be an American fighter. But when cold, hard numbers meet preconceived notion, facts never win. The story on Ward will always be his lack of star power-unless he can force the publics (and medias) perception to change. But in order to do this, Ward needs to get a bit out of character and start rattling some cages. From post-fight headlines in the wake of his victory over Rodriguez, he may be headed in that direction. I got no problem fighting anybody anytime, a post-victory Ward told Boxingscene, in reference to the mention of middleweight titlist Gennady Golovkin. You guys make these guys out to be bogeymen and monsters…I respect (Golovkin), but I see holes in his game. Ask them if they want it at 168 right now, Ward continued. I dont see them asking for that. I see them saying anybody from 160 to 175, but when theyre pressed, I dont see him calling me out. Stop beating around the bush and get straight to it. I dont see them calling me out. Later on, Ward brought up the names of two other high-profile fighters in his weight range, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Bernard Hopkins. I think that the only two now pay-per-views I have right now-maybe Im wrong and gotta see whos out there-is probably Bernard Hopkins and Chavez Jr. This is Ward working the media, a must these days if a fighter wants to avoid being labeled difficult, or in Wards case, dull and/or unpopular. Its apparently not enough to be a supremely skilled and well-tested elite-level fighter these days, one must also rattle a few cages and drop a few names. More and more it appears as though a fighters star power is really just a roundabout way of calibrating his ability to generate attention-catching headlines for those who write stories and set the sports narrative. So, why not give the babies their bottle? Let Andre Ward titillate the media with eye-catching headlines and exclusive interviews to put an end to the hes not a star silliness. And while thats happening, Ward can keep winning, keep impressing, and keep making his case for future all-time great status. Paul Magno was a licensed official in the state of Michoacan, Mexico and is the author of Notes from the Boxing Underground. His work can also be found on Fox Sports and as Editor-in-Chief of The Boxing Tribune.In the past, Paul has done work for Inside Fights, The Queensberry Rules and Eastside Boxing. For breaking news, additional analysis, and assorted crazy commentary, follow him on Facebook, @TheBoxingTribune or on Twitter, @BoxingBTBC. GET DETAILED AT tarsiernews
Posted on: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 12:05:11 +0000
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