Abraham vs. Ward, who wins?

[Wolverine5150]

After Ward's upset over Kessler, he and Abraham appear to be the frontrunners in the tournament. If these two were to meet, who's your pick?

 

[MC Paul Barman]

I think Ward is too smart to try to slug with Abraham. And based off of his recent fight, there's no reason to think that he would trade with him if he wasn't going to do it with Kessler.

I don't think Abraham would follow Ward around like Kessler did - and hopefully for Abraham's sake he's smart enough to have learned from what he saw during Kessler-Ward.

Whether he's fighting Ward or Dirrell.... I think Abraham needs to go to the body right away. Aim for anything that is not the head for the 1st 4 or 5 rounds: ribs, stomach, chest, arms, shoulders, neck. But will he do that?

I can't remember the round it was, but there was a point toward the end of the fight where Abraham looked annoyed and frustrated (and there wasn't a low blow). It was a later round. Abraham was coming on well after the 5th round against Taylor, but it was still close (in my opinion) up until the knockout.

When Kessler threw those few wide looking desperation hooks he looked like Abraham. Ward probably didn't know to expect those from Kessler, but he still reacted perfectly and dodged them. He would expect those from Abraham and all the more reason why those would miss.

I hear good things about Ulli Wegner.... I don't know too much about him and his relationship with Abraham. But if Abraham doesn't start ripping shots into those ribs from the get go.... it will be another frustrating fight. He might be able to, he did do that against Marquez.... and I think we remember seeing how bruised up Marquez's side was.

All this said, Abraham hasn't fought a guy like Ward.... but Ward has fought guys with intentions like Abraham. Ward UD.

 

[Seano]

Ward is tied with Froch.

Abraham has a punchers chance against anyone and hes good at capitalizing on mistakes. Ward gets sloppy sometimes.

Abraham by KO.

 

[Khan-age!]

Froch all the way.

All this said, Abraham hasn't fought a guy like Ward.... but Ward has fought guys with intentions like Abraham. Ward UD.

Perfect way of putting it.

I'm 1/2 so far.. I expected the JT-AA fight to go the way it did (although I predicted a JT win) but the other two fight were nothing like I expected.. I thought Froch would be all over a nervous Dirrell for a mid-fight stoppage and I thought Kessler would pick Ward apart.. I can't bet on these fights anymore.. I think Ward would defeat AA but the fights so far have shown that the Super 6 is full of surprises.. hell, I wouldn't bet against JT upsetting Ward (well.. maybe).

 

[APOLLO]

Froch all the way.

Perfect way of putting it.

I'm 1/2 so far.. I expected the JT-AA fight to go the way it did (although I predicted a JT win) but the other two fight were nothing like I expected.. I thought Froch would be all over a nervous Dirrell for a mid-fight stoppage and I thought Kessler would pick Ward apart.. I can't bet on these fights anymore.. I think Ward would defeat AA but the fights so far have shown that the Super 6 is full of surprises.. hell, I wouldn't bet against JT upsetting Ward (well.. maybe).

how can one expect the jt-aa fight to go the way it did and predict a jt win at the same time? it's not like jt was winning. it was a clear domination of aa throughout the whole fight. of course you can argue jt won the first 4-5 rounds, but that doesn't mean he was in any way succeeding. the only reason he won the first few rounds is because aa let him, like he does with anyone else to feel them out...that was a cat and mouse game with jt never standing a real chance.

 

[Khan-age!]

how can one expect the jt-aa fight to go the way it did and predict a jt win at the same time? it's not like jt was winning. it was a clear domination of aa throughout the whole fight. of course you can argue jt won the first 4-5 rounds, but that doesn't mean he was in any way succeeding. the only reason he won the first few rounds is because aa let him, like he does with anyone else to feel them out...that was a cat and mouse game with jt never standing a real chance.

I expected JT to start well with AA turning it on as the fight went on knowing their in-ring reputations.. although before the fight I did also think "AA could stop him late a la Froch" I stuck with the prediction that JT would hang on for a decision victory.

Of course, there wasn't much to JT's start but as we saw, AA certainly sealed the deal even leading up to the KO.

 

[XiaolinSoldier]

SOG will execute a perfect game plan and take a clear cut UD.

 

[Its_GR8]

If Ward and Artur fight, id have to give it to Artur because of his defensive style of fighting, I think ward would try to come in and under and Artur would back away and go for some body shots as he andre would be coming in. But im not strategist just giving my two cents. Judging from the last fights Andre's power came from the top of his dome but Artur's power extenuated from his hip, core, back and arms and if he connects he is gonna drop ward like a ton a bricks!!!

 

[Riddem Breaker]

Ward is a terrible style for Arthur. Ward stays outside, is very quick and accurate, excellent fundamentals. He's got reach and speed on his side and his inside dirty tactics work for him.

Arthur has great defense, is very patient, doesn't get frustrated even if when he's losing rounds. He's got good timing and powerful punches. He's key is to time Ward, stay patient and work off the jab. With few accurate punches he may be able to hurt and stop Ward. If he doesn't finish him it will be very difficult to win a decision over a much more active fighter in Ward.

 

[MC Paul Barman]

Ward is a terrible style for Arthur. Ward stays outside, is very quick and accurate, excellent fundamentals. He's got reach and speed on his side and his inside dirty tactics work for him.

Arthur has great defense, is very patient, doesn't get frustrated even if when he's losing rounds. He's got good timing and powerful punches. He's key is to time Ward, stay patient and work off the jab. With few accurate punches he may be able to hurt and stop Ward. If he doesn't finish him it will be very difficult to win a decision over a much more active fighter in Ward.

I like your idea for Abraham.

But I still think it would throw alot off for Ward (or Dirrell) if Abraham just started right away going to the body - hitting anything that is not the head (and above the belt).
Ward gets in close to paw with a jab, just rip away at the ribs, shoulders, anything below that head. If he head hunts I think he'll look just like Kessler did when Kessler threw those desperate hooks.
Going to the body will show Ward something different than what Kessler was showing him. If he starts that early it could only throw Ward's game plan off (at least for a bit). And it's money in the bank.... build that up and slow Ward later down the stretch.

Like he did with Marquez:

 

[McDuck**]

I'll just say Ward left a bad taste in my mouth despite the face he could have beat Kessler without those questionable tactics.

This is an interesting fight though. Ward is a much better mover than Taylor, but with less power. I'll like to see what Abraham can do with such a mover. And like others have said, Abraham is patient, but more importantly, he is actually an intelligent counter puncher who is capable of shifting angular punch movement mid-shift. He bust through the middle or curve through muff guards and sets up punches well with deceptive combination shifts. And Ward might be a fighter beyond other fights in attempting to whack at Abraham's guard. Ward could very well get cold cocked by Abraham. And Ward's chin is still questionable.

 

[5acrossYOeye]

i believe both times ward was rattled it was fights at 160. i do think the cut had something to do with that.
and he did stand up to a miranda right hand.

 

[McDuck**]

i believe both times ward was rattled it was fights at 160. i do think the cut had something to do with that.
and he did stand up to a miranda right hand.

Oh shut up, bay area boy... And Miranda was as done a deep fried turkey.

Ward hasn't been hit solid by anyone at 168 yet.

 

[5acrossYOeye]

Oh shut up, bay area boy... And Miranda was as done a deep fried turkey.

Ward hasn't been hit solid by anyone at 168 yet.

facts are facts. last thing to go is the punch.

you hear what dibella told kessler? maybe you should take the advice.

 

[sobralfan1]

facts are facts. last thing to go is the punch.

you hear what dibella told kessler? maybe you should take the advice.

What did DiBella tell Kessler?

I pick Ward. Personally, I don't think he fought dirty.

 

[5acrossYOeye]

“Always liked Kessler, but he is whining like a bitch. Man up!”

 

[sobralfan1]

 

[McDuck**]

yeah yeah... punch last thing to go, but the fight was not even competitive not just because of Ward's movement, but Miranda was lethargic and was ready to be taken. Ward didn't even try to take him out when he had a damn man walking right infront of him.

 

[nip102]

the dirrell fight will tell us a lot about how this fight will go.AA hasn't really fought anyone like these two.AA is a tough,strong,defensive,counterpuncher but one thing he ain't is fast.Hopefully is jab is good enough to deal with these two

 

[McDuck**]

Jermain is pretty fast. At least his hands are comparable to that of dirrell and ward. It's just he doesn't have movement. I think Abraham has quick enough hands to respond, really. He's hands are not slow at all.