Andre Ward… you have silenced the critics. Welcome to the land of spoken talent, where names are known, respected, and defended with true heart and skill. You showed tonight that you have more tools and more heart than most of your colleagues that you will find straggling up and down the ladder these days.-
A tough and feared opponent, Edison Miranda, has been compared to a panther who stalks the prey he hunts between the ropes, but tonight he was domesticated and tamed to what one television announcer referred to as a “pussy cat.”
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As each round rang to an end, another round of disillusionment fell upon Miranda as he walked back to his corner.
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Ward gave him a new feel and a different look every time he rose from his stool. He was fluent in switching his stance. He moved front to back, side to side. He boxed Miranda head on. He boxed Miranda from every angle, inside and outside of his peripheral. He used a long jab. He closed the gap and fought a battle inside. He bullied Miranda on the inside for an entire round, pushing him around and smothering him with uppercuts and short hooks, breaking the heart of his puzzled opponent.
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He frustrated Miranda in a way that showed the depth and range of the skill set the young gold medalist has in his repertoire and established his seat in a group that sits atop the Super Middleweight division.
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Although Ward may lack the power to really make waves in the dying sport gasping for mainstream appeal, he represents what boxing once was before the days of Iron Mike and his incredible punching power. Andre Ward demonstrates technical boxing in a true-to-form, gold medal style, ass-whooping.
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Great fighters don’t rely on their power punch. Ask Edison Miranda to comment on how well that game plan didn’t work for him. He fought 10 out of 12 rounds with his right hand cocked back, waiting for an opportunity that didn’t seem to open up the way he was hoping it would.
Impressively, Ward maintained his focus and demonstrated his adversity to the skeptics as he fought through an early cut above his left eye (due to an illegal head butt), taking the fight to Miranda relentlessly and dominating control over Miranda’s one-dimensional fight style. Not only was he able to hold the door closed on Miranda’s one-pop game plan, but he was almost instantaneously pouncing on the smallest of openings in Miranda’s defense. The underdog stalked the panther and attacked confidently.
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After the fight, Ward said that he was disappointed in his outing as he felt he left himself open too much even though Miranda was too confused and dumbfounded to take advantage. Ward was also upset with his inability to stop the fight earlier than the 12-round unanimous decision. In a division of heavy hitters and strong chins, Ward may have to get used to the fact that he might not have the power to keep knocking opponents to the canvas. Skillful boxing and a good cardio program to expand and sustain his stamina will no doubt propel him through the ranks.
