Andre Ward: All he does is win, yet still no love for S.O.G.

Andre Ward does not lose, and for the most part has easily handled everyone put in front of him his entire career. The WBA and WBC Super Middleweight Champ and winner of the Super Six Tournament is arguably among the top 3 pound for pound fighters in the world. Yet, the 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist, despite being a model for young men inside and outside of the ring gets no love. By love, I mean the Son of God is not a household name fighter.

His recently laundry list of defeated fighters includes Chad Dawson, Carl Froch, Arthur Abraham, Mikkel Kessler, and Allan Green, all of which he easily walked through. His September 8, 2012, technical knockout of former light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson was maybe his most impressive. Ward has cleaned out the 168-pound division and now taken out maybe the best light heavyweight fighter in Dawson. What’s left? If for money, then he will need to move down in weight for some of the more popular fighters at 160. Unfortunately, I don’t see people getting in line to step up to the 28-year-old champ.

Why not? Well, they don’t want to get destroyed. If the money is right, I think you could see Sergio Martinez step up but he has some significant injuries (hand and knee) to recover from in his most recent fight with Chavez Jr. I don’t see Martinez getting out of this one with his hand raised however. Then there is the spoiled, marijuana smoking child who disrespected the sport again by testing positive for marijuana after his loss to Martinez last weekend in Las Vegas. I mentioned in a previous article that Chavez Jr. was his own man. I have to eat those words as it looks like the apple did not fall from the tree. Regardless, I don’t think Chavez wants any part of Ward.

For the immediate future, I see fellow Top Rank fighter Kelly Pavlik as a possible opponent for Ward. Pavlik has had a couple lackluster performances since losing his 160-pound title to Sergio Martinez in 2010, and after struggling with substance abuse and the pressures of fame that came with being a champion. Although not deserving of a fight with Ward at this point in his attempted comeback; there are also other fighters like undefeated Gennady Golovkin (who? Exactly) who might be more deserving. Unfortunately, the money is in household names and mainstream popularity, which Pavlik still has to a point. This will end up being win number 27 for Ward if it takes place, likely by stoppage given he appears ready to take more chances in the ring to prove a point.

A fight with Pavlik will not change the lack of love or popularity for Ward, nor will it change that he is one of the best fighters in the world. The guy is a devout Christian; you won’t see him getting arrested, flaunting money, using profanities, or disrespecting the sport by using banned or illegal substances. He is the guy you want your daughter to bring home in a perfect world. He does things the way professionals are supposed to do them; with class, heart, faith, morals, and hard work. Unfortunately, these are exactly the reasons why he does not command the popularity and money of the Mayweathers, Chavez Jr.’s, and Pacquiaos (who has had his own problems, hence his new found faith) of boxing.

Andre Ward will end up THE best pound for pound fighter in the world before it’s all said and done; however, due to our twisted society, he will never earn the fame and fortune of a Floyd Mayweather.

I guess winning isn’t everything? S.O.G. 26-0 and counting. All he does is win!