Andre Ward is one of the most effective fighters of the last 20 years. His list of achievements qualifies him as one of the very best of his generation. In this video we will examine my 3 top elements of the Andre Ward boxing style.
Andre Ward was an Olympic gold medallist in the Athens games. He took part in 120 amateur fight, losing only 5. He was a 3 weight world champion in the professional ring, winning all of his 32 fights, 16 by way of knockout. This guy is a top operator.
So, what are the 3 things that I think mark his boxing style out as being so effective?
His boxing stance. He is steady, controlled and calculating. He is flat-footed as a pro, quite different than his days as an amateur boxer where he chose to be much more mobile on his feet.
Ward does not want to back away. At most he will do an occasional push out. He works at the edge of range or at long range and exerts a subtle pressure with his bodyweight central or on slightly on the front leg.
His defensive prowess comes from his subtle head movements. Slips, shifting off the centre line and always being in a position to fire back.
The second thing about the Andre Ward boxing style that stands out to me is his lead hand work. Ward is a naturally left-hand dominant person who boxes out of the right hand orthodox style. He uses massive numbers of ramrod jabs to the head and body.
Ward often actually uses his back hand (right hand) to set top his lead hand work. Most other boxers often go the other way. His back hand is accurate, very rarely missing, but it’s really a platform for that lead hand work of power jabs and hooks.
Finally, Andre Ward is very comfortable at close range. He is happy with rough house boxing, grappling…he gives as good as he gets. He will use the lead arm to pin or fix the opponent and his short range hooks and uppercuts is solid. He bursts from a tight cover guard to deliver rapid hook and uppercut based combinations.
Andre Ward NEVER wants to come second in an exchange. Two or three shots, delivered with power and accuracy and he’s gone.
Ladies and gentlemen I give you the Andre Ward boxing style. Anything I’ve missed or got wrong? Let me know in the comments section below.
Cheers
Fran
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Great video, really appreciate it! Really informative the way you broke down his style. You’re right in saying Ward was one of the best of the past 20 years…just as good as Floyd in my opinion. It’s crazy how competitive Ward is, never wants to lose one round or one exchange, much less one fight, haha.
Has a great strategy that most boxers should emulate, hit and not get hit. Or at least minimize the blows you take, if he wins engagements even 2-1, or 1-0…he’s still landing twice as many shots as his opponent. He’s a very bright guy, when you hear him talk on TR braodcasts, so he’s it’s not surprising he takes this approach. And he’s even done himself better, by retiring in his early 30s. The best way to minimize damage and save his health. He left with all of his faculties intact, and really had nothing left to prove, with beating most of the top guys in his class. I’m hoping he doesn’t come back like you are Fran!
Haha. Thanks Dan. Yes, a true competitor and I do like it when pros retire in their early 30s and stay retired. Smart, as you say. It’s something I promote all the time to young boxers. Win the exchange, land one more than the opponent and disengage – it’s a really good strategy for taking contests. Thanks for the contribution Dan!