What happens when a boxing legend speaks his mind on dream matchups? Imagine the buzz in the boxing community. Hall of Famer Andre Ward recently unleashed a series of electrifying potential fights on the ‘All The Smoke’ podcast. But what exactly did he say? Who did he pick to face off in the ring?
Terence Crawford: Andre Ward won’t bet against him
Diving right into the heart of the matter, Andre Ward’s conversation on ‘All The Smoke‘ podcast radiates with excitement and insight. When the host asked him about, “What fight do the world need?”, he started off with a compelling statement, “Oh man that’s a good one.” This prefaces his keen perspective on boxing’s future marquee matchups. Ward explicitly states, “I want to see Canelo, I wouldn’t mind Canelo fighting Terence or Benavidez.” His choice of Canelo Alvarez, a renowned figure in the sport, immediately grabs attention.
Seamlessly, he shifts focus, “You got two options, you can go somebody in your weight class or you could try to pick on the smaller guy Terence Crawford.” Here, Ward highlights the strategic aspect of choosing opponents. His confidence in Terence Crawford shines through as he asserts, “I’m not betting against Terence right now, against nobody, nobody not doing it.”
Moreover, Ward doesn’t just stop there. He expands his vision, “I would love to see Tank fight Shakur or Devin.” Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, another celebrated boxer, is brought into the mix, pitted against either Shakur Stevenson or Devin Haney. Ward acknowledges the timing, “I know that’s probably a little early, a little bit more seasoning I think that’ll make the the most sense from a financial standpoint.”
From sparring to spotlight: Ward envisions Tank vs. Shakur
The conversation takes another intriguing turn when the host expresses, “I want to see Tank-Shakur. That’s the fight.” Ward agrees but adds a twist about Terence Crawford, known as ‘Bud’, “And they didn’t rumble a lot in sparring. You know but I really want to see Bud go out the way he want to go out.” He then poses a thought-provoking scenario involving a rematch between Crawford and Errol Spence Jr., “So they can run that back but if they don’t I would love to see Bud get Canelo and then ride off in the sunset.”
Each statement by Ward not only reveals potential blockbuster fights but also demonstrates his deep understanding of the sport’s dynamics. The conversation, rich in possibilities, leaves fans and experts alike pondering the future of boxing. His insightful picks for matchups, ranging from Canelo’s challenging fights to Crawford’s potential grand finale, highlight a deep understanding of the sport’s dynamics and its stars’ capabilities.
Will these dream bouts become a reality? How will they reshape the narratives of these celebrated fighters? What epic showdown would you like to see in the boxing ring?
