By John F. McKenna (McJack)
WBA/WBC/The Ring Super middleweight champion Andre Ward (25-0, 13) demonstrated on Saturday night at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City why he is considered one of the elite fighters in boxing. His victory against former WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch (28-2, 20 KO’s) proved to the boxing world that Ward is head and shoulders above anyone else at 168 pounds.
Ward’s one sided victory over Froch was the conclusion of the Super Six World Classic Tournament that at times seemed like it would go on forever. Ward’s win also puts the 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist in position to be a major contender for Fight of the Year honors. The left hand that was bruised in training three days before the fight did not appear to hamper Andre in the least as he bounced numerous left hooks and right crosses off of Froch’s jaw during the fight.
Ward was quoted in USA TODAY SPORTS saying:
“I had a supernatural run through the Olympics. And me coming though this tournament as a young pup is supernatural as well.
“This is not the end, it’s just the beginning. We’re going to get better. Believe it or not, you guys have not seen the best of Andre Ward.”
Ward used his speed and counter punching ability to compensate for the swollen let hand he injured while sparring in preparation for the fight with Froch.
Andre used his defensive skills to reduce Froch’s punch output to the lowest point at any time during the tournament.
The three judges scored the fight 118-110, 115-113 and 115-113 all for Ward, although the fight did not appear as close as the two judges who scored the fight 115-113 would indicate.
Froch of course was bitterly disappointed at the loss. The 34 year old was quoted saying:
“Obviously I lost my title. I lost a chance to win another title and the Super Six Cup. I’m at the end of a wonderful string of fights, all at the top level. And you can’t win them all at this level. Elite fighters get beat. I’ve been beat before and I’ve come back stronger.”
Ward and Froch fought before a disappointing crowd of 5,626 at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall. Froch was gracious in defeat and acknowledged that he lost the fight fair and square.
