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Preview: Andre Ward returns to his stomping grounds to defend his newly won WBA title against dangerous contender Allan Green. This is the 2nd round of the Super Six World Boxing Classic—a round-robin tournament involving the best super middleweights in the world. For those who have missed out on the tournament thus far, it’s not too late to get involved. In a day when the best fighters often avoid each other, this has been a wonderful change of pace. The fights have been excellent and evenly contested among the best in a stacked weight class. Watch This Game Live Here
Green was not initially in the tournament, as this will be his first fight in the Super Six. Jermain Taylor pulled out and he received the slot. He hopes to capitalize on his good fortune, but his work is cut out for him. Ward, a 2004 Olympic Gold Medallist and now an undefeated world champion, is rounding into a superb fighter. He thrashed highly regarded champion Mikkel Kessler in the first round of the tournament. His speed, moxie, and class were unmistakable. It was a true coming-out party for the Oakland native.
Despite Ward’s credentials and recent run of dominance, one cannot help but feel that Green has a chance. The former National Golden Gloves Champion at light heavyweight is the bigger man at a well-put-together 6’2″. His offense has a dynamic air to it. While lacking the pure speed of Ward, Green’s punches come quickly and with great force. He is capable of doing tremendous damage and he has boxing skills to boot.
Green has been erratic. Sometimes he looks devastating, like when he nearly decapitated fellow prospect Jaidon Codrington. Other times, he seems distracted and listless. One would expect him to be mentally into this fight. If he loses, it will not be a result of his lack of intensity. Slowed by a colon problem that may have been the cause for his lone loss against Edison Miranda, Green is now in position to put something big together. Expect him to be gunning for glory.
The main question is whether or not Green will be effective against the greasy-quick Ward. If far-less accomplished and talented boxers have bothered Green before, how will he manage to be effective against Ward? Obviously, the oddsmakers are reading into this and they apparently don’t like Green’s chances. Ward also appeared to draw a lot of inspiration from fighting at home when he dominated Kessler in his last fight. If he starts getting on a roll, Green could be looking at an insurmountable task.
Prediction: Green at +400 is an excellent value. It’s not clear whether Ward has ascended to the point where he should be such a heavy favorite against a standout talent like Green. Ward should be the favorite, but the odds do not seem to fairly represent the qualities of Green. Ward could outclass him and simply be a cut above. I just suspect that Ward is a tad overrated. Beating a sliding Edison Miranda and the always-overrated and decidedly unspectacular Mikkel Kessler have put him on another level, but it’s not clear if those two wins alone merit superstar status. To be a +600 favorite against Allan Green, a fighter should have to be an established superstar.
Green has his work cut out for him, but the danger element he brings to this fight makes him a good bet at this price.

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