Andre Ward Gets His Turn

Setting 2014’s Table: Andre Ward gets his turn It’s your turn, Andre Ward. Ward’s comeback Saturday night in Ontario, Calif., against Edwin Rodriquez (HBO 10 p.m. ET/PT) is just the latest in a succession of Saturdays that sets the table for 2014 and perhaps beyond. It started with Gennady Golovkin’s middleweight stoppage of Curtis Stevens on Nov. 2 in New York, continued with Mikey Garcia’s junior-lightweight knockout of Ramon Martinez on Nov. 9 in Corpus Christi, Tex., continues with Ward-Rodriguez at super-middleweight and reaches a peak on Nov. 23 with Manny Pacquiao-Brandon Rios at welterweight in Macao. It’s an uninterrupted series at different weights, yet with a common story line that determines who belongs, who doesn’t, who’s hot, who’s shot and maybe somebody who can challenge Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s pound-for-pound supremacy. Golovkin and Garcia did what they were supposed to. They are newcomers no more. With a mix of tactical skill, power and poise possessed by each, Golovkin and Garcia fought and won like the major players they figure to be in any of next year’s projected bouts. Now, it’s up to Ward and then Pacquiao. Same goal, yet the roles differ from Golovkin and Garcia. Both Ward and Pacquiao aren’t emerging stars. Instead, they are fighting to prove that they still are one. Ward, often listed second to Mayweather in the pound-for-pound debate, has enjoyed critical acclaim from the media throughout his unbeaten career, yet the customers aren’t listening. He’s not a draw, perhaps because he’s been sidelined by injuries, or poorly promoted by Dan Goossen, or unappreciated by modern fans who want more blood and bruises than defensive skill. Ward, who will turn 30 on Feb. 23, faces an unbeaten Rodriguez in his first fight since undergoing surgery on his right shoulder 14 months ago. He tried to end his deal with Goossen, but lost in arbitration. Goossen is still with him. The guess in this corner is that his skill set is too. But the burden of proof rests with his ability to win and win big against an unbeaten Rodriguez, who has enough power to make it dangerous in the early going. More than a year of inactivity might make Ward a little tentative in the opening rounds. For Ward, the task is to get back into the conversation and perhaps generate some speculation about a fight with Golovkin. If not Golovkin, there is Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. A fight with Chavez Jr. might awaken Mexico’s loyal fans to Ward’s ability, often subtle, yet a lot easier to appreciate than anything seen lately in the erratic son of the Mexican legend. Ward needs to create an audience. Pacquiao already has one. Yet even it is nervous about who will show up on Nov. 23 in a bout that also represents the biggest step in promoter Bob Arum’s attempt to create a Chinese market. The last time we saw Pacquiao, he was face-down and unconscious from a crushing knockout by a right from Juan Manuel Marquez in December. Pacquiao, trainer Freddie Roach and Arum are saying all of the right things. Knockouts happen. Pacqiao has looked as “brave” as ever in sparring, Roach said in a conference call from General Santos City, Pacquiao’s Filipino hometown, which was not affected by the devastating typhoon that hit other parts of the island nation. Roach said he expects Pacquiao to knock out Rios within six rounds. But even he conceded he couldn’t be certain how Pacquiao will react until opening bell. Roach has only his own experience as a featherweight and lightweight. But it’s a reason for caution. “To be honest with you, when I was knocked out for the first time, it changed my whole career, because I was never as brave as Manny,’’ Roach said. “I lost my self-confidence. But Manny is not like me. Manny is a realist and he accepts it. I know everybody doesn’t think the same way. But since he accepts it, it doesn’t bother him.” If Roach’s confidence isn’t misplaced and the fearless, relentless Pacquiao is back, Roach would like to see a rematch in a fifth fight with Marquez. “We wanted to fight Marquez but Marquez refused to fight us,’’ Roach said “We want Marquez one more time, yes. That’s the fight we want. Mayweather too, of course.’’ Of course, Mayweather hasn’t said anything about that renewed possibility. There are still a couple of Saturdays to go before he can really address that one. AZ Notes · Speaking of comebacks, remember Jose Benavidez Jr.? The unbeaten junior-welterweight (17-0, 13 KOs) from Phoenix is scheduled for his first fight in more than a year Saturday at the AVI Resort & Casino in Laughlin, Nev., on a televised card (Solo Boxeo on UniMas, 11 pm. ET/PT) featured by 140-pound contender Jose Felix (25-0-1, 20 KOs) against Santos Benavides (23-4-1, 17 KOs). Benavidez, who has undergone a couple of surgical procedures on a troublesome right hand, hasn’t fought since October, 2012 when he was rocked late in an 8-round victory by unanimous decision over Pavel Miranda. He’s scheduled for a six-rounder against Mexican Abraham Alvarez (16-4-1, 7 KOs) First bell is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. · Another Saturday night card (first bell 6 p.m.) is scheduled in Phoenix at Celebrity Theatre. Iron Boy Promotions has eight bouts planned. Phoenix junior-welterweight Juan Garcia (18-3, 7 KOs) is in the main against Rashad Ganaway (14-3-1, 9 KOs)..

Load more