Photo by Big Joe Miranda
Gabriel Polanco, Contributing Writer
This Saturday night in Ontario, California; Andre “S.O.G” Ward will make his long awaited return against rising undefeated contender Edwin Rodriguez. As serious as any opening statement sounds, this is basically a “dusting the cobwebs off my gloves” fight for Ward. In all honesty, Rodriguez is a good fighter, but is no where near the level of Ward and that’s not much of a put down. Ward is in a league of his own after virtually cleaning out the Super-Middleweight division. Even after shoulder surgery and a year lay-off, “S.O.G” methodically breaks down Rodriguez over 12 semi-entertaining rounds with a occasional knock down to wing a unanimous decision.
Prediction: Ward
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Scheduled in the middle of HBO’s epic fall season, Andre Ward needs a big knockout to not be a boxing tree falling in the forest. He will get that KO in Round 8.
Prediction: Ward
Gabe Rivas, Contributing Writer
Andre Ward is coming off the most impressive win of his career. Unfortunately, it was followed by long break caused by a shoulder injury. The injury is not career-threatening, and Ward is making sure it isn’t by stretching it and strengthening it everyday. Rodriguez, on the other hand, is coming off his most impressive win and, although at a lower level of competition, his momentum and confidence is very high. Still, it is hard to see him getting past Ward’s ability to control the ring, and the aggressiveness which has helped him win in past fights will be stifled by Ward’s counter right, left hook, and overall defensive abilities. I’ve got Ward winning this one.
Prediction: Ward
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
This will definitely be a test for Ward. Rodriguez is a tough fighter, which I had the opportunity to watch fight Jason Escalera at Foxwoods in Connecticut. Rodriguez will come in early to try to control the fight pace, but Ward will know how to handle it. Ward will show some ring rust in the first three rounds, but will control every round after. I don’t see Ward knocking out Rodriguez, but he will definitely put on a clinic. Ward has faced the tougher opponent’s, but it doesn’t mean Rodriguez will be a walkover. I like Rodriguez, but he isn’t winning this fight.
Prediction: Ward
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
Andre Ward defends his title against upset minded Edwin Rodriguez in this weekends HBO main event. Rodriguez is clearly the underdog and is making a big step up in competition. Ward is going to do what he does, the question is can Rodriguez make this a legitimate fight? Rodriguez does have some physical attributes that are in his favor, but is that enough? One thing potentially in Rodriguez’s favor is the fact that Ward is coming off an injury and subsequent long layoff. I think it’s key for Rodriguez to get off to a fast start and capitalize on any rust Ward may have because of the layoff. What Rodriguez cannot afford to do is go in and try to outbox the pure boxer. Just ask Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. As long as Ward is fully healed and has little to no ring rust I don’t see a scenario where Rodriguez win’s. I like Ward coming away with a win in this fight.
Prediction: Ward
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Not many people are giving Edwin Rodriguez a shot in this one, but I believe he is a very live dog. This fight may come down to how Ward’s body handles the long layoff. He banks on being able to be rough-and-tough on the inside and literally man handle his opponents. I don’t know how well he will be able to do that to a young fighter like Rodriguez. Bomba looked great in his last outing–although it was against a vastly less skilled opponent than Ward in Denis Grachev. I think Ward might take a few rounds to warm up and I will go out on a limb and say Rodriguez will be able to take advantage of that ring rust. I’m picking Rodriguez with the upset of the year.
Prediction: Rodriguez
