Andre Ward dominates Sullivan Barrera to win a unanimous decision

Last Saturday, saw Andre ‘S.O.G.’ Ward ease to victory against Cuban, Sullivan Barrera at a packed crowd at the Oracle Arena, California. The self-proclaimed, Son of God, announced himself on the light-heavyweight scene in style by cruising to a unanimous decision victory. 

Ward dominated the action from the start catching Barrera with left look, after left hook, and he even managed to score a knock-down against the physically bigger Barrera in round 3 catching him with a perfectly timed trademark left hook. This was to be the story of the fight because throughout Ward’s timing was impeccable and he controlled the pace of the fight with ease. The three judges scored the bout, 119-109, 117-109 and 117-109 in a fight which Ward made Barrera look average.

There were many questions which Ward answered in his 175 lb debut. He displayed a minimal amount of ring rust and although Barrera looked a lot bigger than Ward in the ring, Ward was still able to hold his own on the inside which is what he did so well in the super-middleweight division.

Many touted Barrera to give Ward a few problems before the fight. Ranked no.1 by the IBF and with an impressive amateur career, Ward certainly chose no pushover for his first fight. However he made the Cuban look ordinary who threw 20 punches less per round than he had previously done in his other fights.

Ward will now take Barrera’s place as no.1 in line to Kovalev’s titles. The fight looks to be set for November 19^th later this year and whoever wins will be Pound For Pound, the best fighter in the world in many fans’ eyes.

Ward has said he wants to fight once more before the Kovalev fight. Someone like Andrzej Fonfara or undefeated prospect, Marcus Browne would be a perfect tune up. However there is such a disparity between the top two or three fighters and the rest of the light-heavyweight division which means that nothing will prepare him for Kovalev.

For now, Ward should just enjoy the performance he put on. Although he rated it himself as a B- he still looked very sharp in the ring. His footwork, hand-speed, and timing were all there for everyone to see and if he stays fit it is only a matter of time before he becomes a two-weight world champion.

Tom Eckett

@boxingguru44

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