Ward's Limited Options

Bika, Kessler, Green, Abraham, Froch and now Dawson.

Bute got roasted by Froch and isn't a viable option. Pavlik is spent. There is Andre Dirrell, but that would be Dawson mark two. I am convinced Dirrell doesn't have the mental tools needed to compete with Ward; he knows Ward would beat him IMO and would be lost in the run up.

In essence, 168 has been cleaned out.

So, for me he has liimited options.

One. Move up to 175 fight an undefeated fighter in Cloud (although I had him losing to Campillo), snatch his 0 and then go for Pascal.
Two. Coax Golovkin up from 160. He said after the Proksa demolition that he would like Ward, so it is an option. Personally I don't think it would be smart move for GGG at this point. He is a beast at 160, so should see what fights he can get there first.
Three. Wait on Junior to step up, if, and this is a huge if, he beats Martinez.

Four. Rematch someone he has already spanked. Pointless.

For me his best bet is going up against the puncher Cloud. Ward would box his ears off IMO, but it is an honest fight at 175 against a naturally bigger man who can dig. Then see what's left.

Ward is in a really tricky position that at 28 he has cleaned out his division, and moving on up he has already beaten the best fighter at 175.

Oh, there is always Clev at 175 ... BAhahahhahahahahhahha, as if.

Theres nobody in his vicinity now that wont start as a big underdog against him. I cant see that changing in the near future. If I were Ward I would target Pavlik because its a fight he could dazzle in and raise his profile against a still popular and value for money U.S fighter.

Such a tough one for Ward. I mean, there really isn't anyone remotely on his level left to face at 168. And 175 is one weak ass division at the minute. He could fight Cleverly, if he knew his name.

Other than that pipe dream and inevitable whipping for Nathan, i can only see Cloud at 175 as a realistic challenge. Or possibly Pascal. If Bute looks great in his next fight and doesn't fancy Froch again then that could be made. I mean Bute has only lost one fight. A blistering return to the ring, plus the fan base he has in North America, PLUS HBO's interest, could sell the fight to Ward, right?

Good points both. Pavlik would be a sacrificial lamb situation for Ward. He seems to be getting worse with every fight

Pavlik don't want it yet. Although, i think he realizes he is one pay day away from being done.

Pavlik has to fight somebody soon though. Froch probably didnt bring the kind of money or interest Pavlik would want but I think Pavlik/Ward would be maybe the biggest and most lucrative fight out there for both fighters at the moment. It would generate interest in the U.S network. It would be one sided presumably but it would carry a juicy carrot for Pavlik that might tempt him to take it on.

True Manos, but, Pavlik would get a worse beat down than Dawson. Man it be ugly.

It's pension money for Pavlik. Would give him a diggers chance v Dirrell, but Ward would paint him worse than BHop did, and that was bad enough.

He'd get slapped worse than a Swedish porn stars arse-cheek.

Yeah I dont disagree but I think any opponent out here for Ward will be outmatched. Pavlik would be at least good business sense and I cant really think of many more qualified opponents that have not already been beaten. I dont think Ward and Dirrell are keen on fighting as they are friends. Bute needs to rebuild and I think that fight would be hard to make at the moment.

Ward would fight Dirrell. He puts all that stuff aside when he has a big fight, and i don't care if Andre is his friend. In fact, i think he lost respect for Andre over the last year or so. The boy done nothing.

What about Stevenson? All risk and no reward?

I dont think Ward/Dirrell would be a particularly big fight though. Dirrell hasnt really done anything in ages. If he won a couple of decent fights maybe but I just dont see the pair of them being keen on it, especially as things are now.

I think Stevenson would be annihilated but I can see him becoming mandatory in the near future if he carries on beating stiffs. Hes ranked quite highly with the WBC and WBA I think. Definately not a fight that would interest me though.

So who Manos? Not Kelly...

As things are now I wouldnt rush anything as there is no obvious candidate. If Chavez could spring the upset on Martinez then he would prob leap into the top pound for pound rankings and that is a fight that that could be big. The winner of Pascal/Cloud if they were willing to take the fight is another.

If I was his manager I would look at Pavlik, for the reasons I gave above or else get whatever mandatory obligation is inneviteable out of the way while there is no obvious fight.

As a fan I would like to see him in with Pascal/Cloud at light heavywieght. The concern is that first off they might not want it and if he moves up and wins then hes practically out of options up there also.

I think the best course of action might just be to sit and wait and see how things develop in the next couple of months.

I agree Manos. If Chavez stopped eating Cheerios and trained then he'd have a chance. But without fitness and strung out on juice i see only one winner.

However, what a fight Chavez Jr vs Ward would be at 168, IF he shocked the world and beat Martinez. That fight would be huge, HUGE.

Unlikely though.

Sit and wait time.

He'll probably have his missus squeeze out another nipper. Her poomtang love the babies.

As things stand the boxer who stands the best chance of beating him and it's a very slim chance is an already vanquished Froch aside from which he's waiting for guys to either move up or he has to move up himself.

Strike two Imperial. No more google words please.. 'vanquished'... I didn't even see it coming.

He'll duck Cleverly like all the others!

I'm sure I read somewhere Martinez would be willing to fight Ward at 165? If he looks a million dollars against Chavez that could be a mega fight!

Lol @ Super Boon.

I've seen these web footed swimming birds right, in lakes and ponds and alike... they are less duck like than Nathan Cleverly.

Did anyone see his latest press conference? It was comedy.

Forget just 168, there isn't anyone in boxing (apart from a few names) who is really on his level, period.

Like to see him move up to 175 and clean out that division next.

There's no one apart from those that are, makes perfect sense to me.

175 probably only has one meaningful fight there now aswell though. Pascal to be fair to him seems happy to take on a challenge. I think he would rather a Dawson unification rematch if he beat Cloud, as would Dawson himself. But maybe a fight with Ward could be made there. Hard to see the likes of Shumenov or Cleverly being interested though.

If Ward moved up though it could clear the way for a new generation of Super Middles like Groves, DeGale, the Dirrell brothers, Oosthuizen et to come into the division which might be more interesting.

I hope we don't get a situation similar to the Heavyweights where the challengers start avoiding the champ. Why would anyone want to travel to Oakland to get a spanking and I can't imagine Ward is bringing great money to the table either as an incentive.

For me the winner of Cloud vs Pascal is the obvious choice. It would be handy for Ward if that fight is a one sided blowout either way so there is no need for a rematch and he has a legitimate challenge to face in the form of the winner.

I think Bute may still come back to gain respect, ok he was hammered by Froch but many fighters have had bad fights and have come back as strong or stronger. So he may still prove to be a genuine threat and may even do it by beating Froch in a rematch. Not saying he will but I think he has been written off too quick.

I also think that Dirrell would present a style that Ward has yet to deal with, with his lighting speed. So far Ward has been faster than Kessler, Green, Abraham, Froch Dawson... and used that speed to great advantage..

With Dirrell he would not have that advantage so from a technical point of view it would be an interesting fight and test Ward against a fighter who can match his speed..

Yep hugely tricky going forward for Ward now...

Of the limited options I would only have a preference for a few opponents:

Either he steps up and takes on winner of Pascal/Cloud ...

Awaits and faces the winner of Martinez/Chavez ....of the two I think only Chavez would be willing to step up in weight....I could not imagine Ward going down to face Martinez,

So either Chavez wins and steps up to Ward or Martinez wins and they make the fight at a catch-weight.

The 3rd option for me would be a return match against Froch in England (doesn't necessarily have to be in Nottingham)...whilst I think Ward would win that one again I am of the belief that Froch could/should pose a few problems for him in a rematch.

I know styles make fights and it could just be a case of Ward is all wrong for Carl but I can't help but feel that The Cobra left a fair bit in the ring that night....and I believe he has almost admitted as much.

The amazing thing for me is that, due to opponents or lack of in this case, we could realistically see Ward retire within 2 years...their really is that much of a shortage.