Fight to the Finish: Showtime Super Six Classic Interview: Andre Ward

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

As Atlantic City and the world's boxing community counts down to Saturday, Dec. 17, when the Showtime Super Six Classic Finals will take place at Boardwalk Hall with the much-anticipated bout between finalists Carl Froch and Andre Ward, AC Weekly brings you four days of interviews with the two fighters as well as fellow boxers and tourney participants Mikkel Kessler and Arthur Abraham.

By Jeff Schwachter, Rob Scott

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Dec. 16, 2011

In an interview with Atlantic City Weekly, one of the Super Six finalists, Andre "S.O.G." Ward, talks about the Dec. 17 Super Six Finals with AC Weekly contributor Rob Scott.

Thanks for taking the time to give our readers your thoughts before your Super Six Classic Finals showdown with Carl Froch on Dec. 17 in Atlantic City.

No problem.

The last time I spoke to you was just days before Froch’s semi-final fight with Glen Johnson. What’s your take on his performance in that fight and his over-all performance in the tournament?

Froch did a good job in the Johnson fight. It wasn’t great, but he did what he had to do to retain his title. As far as the tournament as a whole, he obviously has done well, because he is in the finals.

You were ringside, a part of the Showtime broadcast team for his fight with Johnson. Knowing that you had already made it to the finals and you were in his future if he won, how much of your presence at ringside do you think entered his head that night?

I definitely feel as though my presence was felt, with me being at the broadcast booth. It may have added a little more pressure for both fighters, but the both are professionals and I don’t believe it was huge distraction.

Froch has expressed his confidence in beating you, sighting your power and will as being your Achilles heel when you finally do meet. Do you think it’s bravado, or do you think deep down he really feels you’re that easy of a mark?

I think it may be a little bit of both, some bravado, some confidence, but bottom line, we are days away from the fight and on fight night, it will all come out.

I have to say that I was impressed with how you handled yourself in your face-off with Froch when you both sat down with Jim Gray. You seem like a calm guy, a trait that I noticed the last time we spoke. No bravado, dedication to family and craft, and bottom line, all business is what you presented. How important is how you are looked upon?

Well, like I mentioned in the face-off, my father raised me to always be confident, but always humble. I’m far from a pushover, and always firm, but there is no need to go around tooting your own horn for every little thing you do. I believe in the abilities God has blessed me with, and I believe I’m one of the fiercest competitors in the sport of boxing and that’s enough for me.

Having spoken with Froch in the past, I think there is a bit of sincerity in his confident demeanor. You, however, were undeterred in your face-off. Bullying is bullying, whether verbal or physical, but by you not showing ruffled feathers, do you think you’re conjuring up questions in his mind?

I love to stand up to the bullies of the sport in my weight class; I’ve always been this way. I’ve been blessed and fortunate to get to this point in my career and it’s for a reason. I’m not going to let another fighter try and make me feel as though I don’t belong. I’ve been boxing for over 15 years and I’ve heard it all. As I like to say, the beauty of boxing is we have a date, and on that night both fighters have a chance to talk and that’s when I try and talk the loudest.

You told me you have wanted to come to Atlantic City for a while now, and while you haven’t yet fought here, you were here for Froch’s Super Six tounrament fight. How did the atmosphere feel to you, keeping in mind that the Froch/Johnson fight was held in the small arena and you will face Froch in the big hall?

The atmosphere was great for the Froch/Johnson fight and it will be even bigger for the finals in the big arena. There has been great fighters and great fights that have been held in that building, and it is an honor and a privilege to have my opportunity to make my mark.

There are so many belts out there, but in winning the tournament, anyone who doesn’t think of you as the very best would be doing you an injustice. Would you be content on just the WBA, WBC, Ring magazine and Super Six cup being in your trophy case, or would you want to add the other hardware out there?

I would love to have all the belts in the division, that’s been the goal from day one. But either way the winner of this fight has to be considered the best super middleweight in the world.

Olympic gold or the Super Six Classic Cup, can you give me your pre-win comparisons and thoughts?

That’s tough. Winning the Super Six World Boxing Classic Cup will be an amazing accomplishment, but winning the Olympic Gold medal will always have a special place in my heart, and I don’t know if that accomplishment can ever be surpassed.

Andre, the tournament has been a breath of fresh air to the sport, but moreover, with your underdog to frontrunner existence, I personally think it gives the tournament and sport an added boost. Good luck on the 17th and God bless as you move forward in the sport and life.

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