Super middleweight Andre Ward has the biggest fight of his career coming Saturday night. That's when he will face the most notable opponent of his career, dangerous puncher Edison Miranda, in a scheduled 12-rounder on a special edition of Showtime's "ShoBox: The New Generation" (9 ET/PT).
I think Ward should win the fight if he boxes the way he's capable of boxing. He is the better boxer. He has far superior speed. He throws straighter punches. He's naturally bigger. And he's smarter in the ring. But Miranda, who can get awfully careless with his defense, possesses tremendous power and fearlessness in the ring. He is always dangerous and loves to mix it up. So you never know what might happen if he's able to land a flush shot.
There's also more pressure on Ward (18-0, 12 KOs), the only American boxing gold medalist at the 2004 Olympics, because the 25-year-old will be fighting at home in Oakland, Calif., for the first time as a professional when he takes on Miranda at the Oracle Arena.
Still, Ward doesn't rattle easily. He always seems calm, cool and collected -- and he was no different when the discussion turned to his hometown debut.
"Fighting in your backyard could either be a gift or a curse," Ward said. "I've never been one to get caught up in the lights, camera, action and that whole deal. I don't really get caught up in the hoopla before the fight. I'm just a steady kind of person. I'm steady and I'm consistent in terms of the way I approach each fight. Whether I'm fighting in the Olympics or I'm fighting at Tachi Palace [in Lemoore, Calif., where he fought his previous match in February], it doesn't matter. I have a job to do.
"I've been preparing for nights like this since I was 9 years old. I can't let fighting in my hometown detour me in terms of my focus. Trust me, there's going to be a lot of energy in the building. I think a lot of people in Oakland are excited about this, and I'm going to deliver."
Adding to the luster of fighting at home, Tuesday was declared "Andre Ward Day" in Oakland by Mayor Ronald V. Dellums.
Dellums' proclamation:
"Whereas, we salute Andre Ward for his steadfast commitment, his vision and his perseverance in pursuit of prominence in the field of boxing; and his current ranking as an undefeated professional fighter and an Olympic gold medalist; and …
Whereas, we applaud his devotion to the sport, his exemplary sportsmanship and we appreciate his unwavering desire and compassion for the prize-fighting profession as well as his strength as an ambassador to the sport, serving as a role model to millions of young men and women in Oakland and beyond; and …
Whereas, we congratulate Andre Ward for passionately accepting his call to worship and for continuing to give honor to his faith; and we proudly welcome him home for his professional debut in Oakland."
Now, Ward just needs to go out and perform as he's capable of doing. A few more fights, and we might be looking at a world champion. If that happens, Dellums probably will be back, this time offering up a key to the city.
Dan Rafael
