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Ward vs. Abraham Keys to Victory

Credit: Laura de la Torre / Goossen Tutor Promotions

Which one of these fighters will punch their ticket to the Super Six World Boxing Classic finals?

On May 14, 2011, from the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, Andre “S.O.G” Ward looks to stake his claim as one of the best in boxing and move on to the Super Six finals as he will put his undefeated record and WBA super middleweight title on the line against “King” Arthur Abraham. Both of these fighters are coming off victories in their last fight, though, “King” Arthur’s win came via a rather meaningless tune-up. Andre Ward can box and brawl in the ring, and Abraham uses his jab and covers up during most of his fights, so which style, and which fighter, will survive?

Keys to Victory: Andre “S.O.G.” Ward

Credit: Laura de la Torre / Goossen Tutor Promotions

Ward will be the favorite in the fight and he has every reason to be.  Ward has all of the attributes and skills to move one step closer to super middleweight supremacy.  He can fight you inside or out, so if Abraham has his hands tight to his face like he usually does, then Ward should start off with his great left jab while throwing plenty of combinations downstairs to try and break up that tight defense and high guard of “King” Arthur.

Abraham is usually not the busier guy in the ring on most nights, but if he decides to press the issue in this fight, Ward should not back up, but simply use his elusive skills to circle the ring and effectively counter-punch Abraham.

Ward should stay off the ropes and keep the fight in the middle of the ring, regardless of which Abraham shows up to the party on May 14.  If Ward does these things effectively on May 14, then, I believe the “S.O.G.” will be one step closer to being the Super Six Champion.

—> Read the full Ward vs. Abraham Preview & Prediction

Keys to Victory: “King” Arthur Abraham

If “King” Arthur wants to be victorious against Ward on May 14, then he is going to have to get out of that tight defensive shell and fight.

I feel that maybe Abraham can start off the fight in that wait-and-see defensive boxing style and throw a couple of his thudding jabs to feel out Ward for the first couple of rounds or so, but in order to be successful, he will have to test Ward’s makeup with a tough and gritty performance.

Again….press, press, press is what Abraham will need to do against Ward to try and throw off his game.  Abraham should also try to get to Ward’s rib cage to sap some of that stamina in hopes of catching him with one of his signature hooks in the late rounds.

For the most part, Abraham just needs to stay close and smother Ward and try not to let Ward get off those great combinations.  If these things are done effectively by “King” Arthur, then there is a possibility that Abraham will pull the off the upset and derail the favorite.

Conclusion

This is a fight that should be easily handled by Andre Ward, but you can never count out a former champion in Arthur Abraham, who is hungry and feels that he still has what it takes to get right back on top of the world.

Ward is taller, faster, craftier, younger, and on and on and on.  I am not sure that Abraham has any attributes that are superior to the “S.O.G.”, besides raw power, so all he can do is bring a whole lot of heart and leave everything in the ring. If Abraham does decide to pull his guard down and bring it all from rounds 1-12 like I expect him to do in this fight, then we should be in for a real boxing treat come May 14.