By Yannis Mihanos: Before going up at the light Heavyweight division, Andre “SOG” Ward (31-0, 15 KOs) had to stay on the sidelines for a considerable period of time.
This was a difficult time but also the only way to get out of a nasty contract agreement. Contracts often tie fighters to do things they don’t want to do, to get fights not so appealing to them.
After his comeback in 2015, Ward signed to fight IBF champion Sergei Kovalev. Ward had to put his signature flat and fully accept all terms.
One of the terms, was a common security clause that many favorites put in case of losing and since the favorite for the fight was Kovalev, Ward chose to agree.
The actual fight was a real test of champions, Ward found himself for the first time in the canvas, while Kovalev had his fair share of struggle in the ring. A gutsy performance by both of the fighters.
Right or wrong, the judges gave the decision in Ward’s favor and now he is the new light Heavyweight champion.
But it absolutely doesn’t end there, Ward’s quest for greatness has just begun and Kovalev again is standing on his way.
If Ward decides to honor his signature in that contract, the fight will happen very soon, if not he will have to stay again on the sidelines and just wait until that contract fully expires (my guess is 12 months from the first fight).
It is as simple as that.
So what is it going to be? Playing it safe and retire for a year? Or continue on and fight Kovalev?
I will be disappointed if he picks choice one, that’s not the way of the true champion.
When you stop fighting, challenging yourself, it doesn’t take long until you turn into a loser. Frequency is important for fighters to stay at the elite level.
Still, people make choices and whether they are right or wrong, time always prove to be the best judge.