In a bold statement, boxing legend Andre Ward reveals the hardest punch he ever took in his illustrious career, and it might not be who you'd expect. With a record of 32 fights and victories over numerous former world champions, Ward's words carry weight. But here's the twist: the fighter he credits with the most powerful punch never even held a world title!
Ward, known for his dominance in the super-middleweight division, secured the WBA crown in 2009 by defeating Mikkel Kessler. He then solidified his reign with six successful title defenses against boxing greats like Arthur Abraham and Carl Froch. Ward's journey to becoming a unified champion was complete after he knocked out the WBC champion, Chad Dawson.
But Ward didn't stop there. He moved up to light-heavyweight and dethroned the formidable Sergey Kovalev, a three-belt unified champion, in a famous victory. Ward then solidified his legacy by knocking out Kovalev in their rematch, a feat that led to his shock retirement at just 33 years old.
Despite his impressive wins, Ward singled out a surprising name when discussing the hardest puncher he faced. In an interview with Boxing News, he revealed, 'The hardest puncher was definitely Edison Miranda – no doubt about that.' This statement might raise some eyebrows, considering Miranda never held a world title.
Ward's encounter with Miranda took place in 2009, a mere two fights before his title challenge with Kessler. Ward emerged victorious with a unanimous decision, defending his NABF super-middleweight title. While Miranda never claimed a world championship, he came close twice, challenging the IBF middleweight ruler Arthur Abraham in 2006 and the IBF super-middleweight champion Lucian Bute in 2010, but falling short on both occasions.
And this is the part that sparks debate: was Miranda truly the hardest puncher Ward faced, or is there more to this story? Could it be that Ward's experience and skill made Miranda's punches feel more powerful than they were? Or is Ward's statement a testament to the raw power of a fighter who never reached the pinnacle of the sport? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let's explore the nuances of this intriguing revelation.
